Sydney's Backyard Ultra

The Sydney’s Backyard Ultra (SBU) 2026 is part of the global "Last Human Standing" series, scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 8:00 AM. Held at the St Ives Showground in New South Wales, the event follows the official backyard ultra format where participants must complete a 6.71 km "yard" every hour, on the hour. The race is designed to test mental fortitude over pure speed, as the pace required is a manageable 8:56 per kilometer, but the competition only ends when a single runner remains to complete one final solo lap. The 2026 event is currently sold out, with a waitlist available for prospective entrants.

St Ives is a suburb on the Upper North Shore of Sydney with a population of approximately 18,300 residents. The demographic profile of St Ives is approximately 56.8% White (European descent), 12.4% Chinese, 6.1% South African, 3.4% Indian, and 2.3% British-born. The suburb is an affluent area with a median annual household income of roughly $125,000 AUD (approx. €75,000). Geographically, the St Ives Showground is situated on the edge of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, featuring undulating terrain and native bushland. The climate in mid-April in Sydney is generally pleasant for endurance running; average temperatures range from a low of 13°C (55°F) to a high of 22°C (72°F). However, because the race can last for multiple days, participants must be prepared for colder temperatures during the overnight yards.

The rules for SBU are uncompromising: runners must be in the starting corral when the bell rings for each new lap. If a runner fails to finish a lap within the hour or chooses not to start the next one, they are immediately disqualified and recorded as a DNF. The event features a unique modular finisher's medal that rewards distance milestones. Support crews are permitted at the hub to assist runners with nutrition and recovery between laps, but they cannot provide aid while the runner is on the course. For those unable to attend in person, the race provides live timing and a YouTube broadcast to showcase the journey of the "Last Runner Standing."