The race format of a Backyard Ultra is quite simple. You have to run a 6.7km loop within the hour, every hour, until there is only one race participant left. 

So if you complete a loop in 45 minutes, you have 15 minutes before the next loop starts. What you do with your time is completely up to you, but you MUST be at the start line before the next loop starts. There are three, two and one minute warning bells so all participants are aware of the impending start time. In essence, there is a new race every hour. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you run the loop, as long as you make it back to the finish line before the 1 hour cut off. In a traditional Ultra Marathon, you can hit a low point in the race, but regather yourself for 30 minutes at the nearest aid station. Unfortunately you don’t have that same luxury in a Backyard Ultra. You can’t afford to have a ‘bad’ loop. The clock never stops.

Why am I running 6.7km continuous loops in a pine-forest at two o’clock in the morning? Why am I putting myself through unnecessary suffering while my friends are enjoying their veal broth and warm bread? Why start a race where failure is almost guaranteed? These are questions only you can answer. What we CAN guarantee, is that Punk's Backyard Ultra will be etched in your memory for all time. See you on the track!