KINGS Backyard Ultra,
held at Barge Showgrounds, Whangarei.

31 May 2025

Beautifully maintained showground fields in the suburbs of Whangarei City. The big open fields flow into some sheep farm paddocks at the backend of the course (the highest part of the loop) with some beautiful views over the countryside. The travel under foot is a mix of field, farm, single trail, gravel road, tarseal roading. Some native fauna and flora along the creek side. To make it interesting , horse showjumping equipment will be placed for visual effect. Elevation gain of approx 100 mtrs.

An easy (until its not!), ever changing 6.71km lap that will suit all levels of backyarder.

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Timetable

  • Friday night gazebo set up: 3pm – 7pm (you cannot stay overnight Friday night)
  • Registration: Friday 6pm – 7pm or Saturday 7:30am – 8:15am
  • Race Briefing: Saturday 8:30am
  • Race Start: Saturday 9am
  • Supporters briefing 9:15 am
  • Race Finish: Who knows…100+ laps???
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Rules

  • Runners must finish the lap within 1 hour or will be a DNF
  • The next lap starts on the hour every hour after that (signalled by the bell)
  • Participants must be in the starting corral at the bell
  • Warning whistle will be given at 3, 2, and 1 minutes prior to start
  • Runners may not leave the course until each loop is completed  (once the bell goes you must complete a loop before any support is given/taken)
  • No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners).
  • You are not to receive support, unless from a competitor still in the race– gear, food or liquids.  All that is allowed is a quick verbal encouragement as they pass you or you pass them. You will be disqualified if this rule is broken.
  • No personal aid/support during a lap (the one aid/support location is the event base)
  • No artificial aids (including poles!).  Music is okay but we ask that you’re aware of other runners so as not to hold people up.
  • Slower runners – please allow faster runners to pass
  • The winner is the last person to complete a lap when all others have given up
  • All others are technically DNF
  • If no runner can complete one more lap than anyone else, there is no winner
  • Please report to the timing area when you decide you can no longer go on
  • No cats, dogs or other domesticated animals allowed on the course with runners.

Supporters

We recommend the KINGS Backyard Ultra runners have support crew. This is limited to a maximum of 2 people at a time (based at the runners support tent).  We’re happy to relax this a little after 12 hours and the numbers are reduced and there is more space. General supporters can cheer/encourage/kick up the arse at the finish line etc but can not join the runner in their tent. This is to prevent overcrowding on the course around the tents.

Tent/Gazebo Sites

Each ultra individual is allowed a roughly 4m x 4m site within the event base. This will be marked out with tape.  Due to safety and ground conditions no vehicles will be allowed to be parked in the tent site area (there are a couple of campervans that have made contact but they will be on the edge of the tent sites so a bit further away from the corral/start/finish).
 
On arrival, drop off your gear near to the tent area and then park in the areas allocated for parking. After you’ve parked, return to the tent area to set up your site.
 
Feel free to share a tent with others to pool resources.
 
We ask in your tent site placement, that you self rank please.  So, if you know you’re doing less than 10 laps, then set up at the back, between 10 and 20 laps in the middle and more than 20 laps at the front closer to the finish & corral. This will save people having to move tents later.
 
You are able to set up your tent site on Friday from 3pm till 7pm and then anytime from 6am on Saturday morning.  
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Power and Water

There is no mains power onsite. We will have no supply of water. We recommend people bring enough water for themselves/their teams. Sorry we do not have power available – please plan accordingly with powerbanks etc. There will be a cafe open on site during there standard hours, shops are within 10mins of Venue.

Merchandise

This will become available at a later date.

Contact us

If you’re still unsure if  KINGS Backyard Ultra is the right event for you, then email info@hisandhersevents.co.nz and we’ll answer all of your questions.
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