WELCOME TO THE MACKYARD

The Mackyard Ultra is where endurance meets community. Every hour, on the hour, runners head out to complete a 4.167-mile (6.7km) loop, or ‘yard’ before returning to camp to recover, refuel and share stories before the next yard begins.

Keep making the start line and you stay in the race. Miss a lap, and you're out. The event continues until only one runner remains and completes a solo yard. They are then classed as the winner and only finisher of the Mackyard Ultra.

Complete 12 loops and you've covered 50 miles. Reach 24 loops and you'll have run exactly 100 miles. How far you go is entirely up to you.

Whether you're chasing a milestone, your first ultra or aiming to be the last person standing, every Mackyard event is built around pushing your limits alongside an incredible community of runners.

Mackyard was founded by brothers Charlie and Rob Mackenzie, who grew up in the fells of the Lake District before bringing their passion for trail and endurance running to events across the UK. 

Mackyard is for the misfits and their goal is simple: to create welcoming, community-driven events that challenge runners of all abilities while celebrating the spirit of the sport. 

From beer miles to ultramarathons and everything in between. From first-timers to seasoned ultrarunners, every Mackyard event is designed to bring people together and help them discover what they're capable of.

One thing’s for sure, you’ll never forget your first Mackyard.

A Backyard Ultra is a unique race format created by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell, the brains behind the Barkley Marathons. Unlike a traditional race with a set finish distance, runners complete repeated 4.167-mile (6.7km) loops, starting a new lap every hour. There is no predetermined finish line - the event only ends when one runner remains.

Alongside the Mackyard Ultra, Mackyard offers a full calendar of unique events, which are listed on the Mackyard website. Simply choose your event, complete the online registration form and secure your place. Entries are limited and many events sell out, so we recommend booking early.

Mackyard events are held at unique locations across the UK, each offering its own character and challenge. Visit our Events page to see the latest calendar, locations and entry information for upcoming events.

SportsShoes is proud to partner with Mackyard to support the UK's growing ultrarunning community. Together, we're committed to creating memorable race experiences, giving runners access to the latest trail running gear through on-site shoe demos, expert advice and exclusive event activations. Whether you're taking on your first Mackyard Ultra or chasing a new personal best, the partnership is all about helping you perform at your best and enjoy every mile.