Rasselbock Backyard Ultra – Hardwick Hall 2027

Rasselbock Backyard Ultra - Hardwick Hall 2027 - Image 2

Rasselbock Backyard Ultra – Hardwick Hall 2027

Saturday 11th September 2027

We’re returning to Hardwick Hall nest September for our newest BYU. We’ll be camped out right in the footprint of the hall itself and you’ll be taking on the grounds and estate farmlands. Worried about the hills? No need, we have found a few routes that will be even flatter than Sherwood Pines!

In 2025 we sold 190 places and had a little over 200 on the wait list. 2026, we sold out in 1 week and had 400 on the waitlist, so I wouldn’t wait too long to grab a place!

The BYU premise is simple: the event has no fixed length in time or distance; you just have to run the same 4.161-mile loop every hour and you run until you can’t run anymore. The winner is found when they are the last runner standing. The event may last 10 hours or it may last 100 hours, you just never know what will happen in a Backyard Ultra.

 

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£119.00

In stock




Welcome to our 10th Rasselbock Backyard Ultra, this time at the stunning Hardwick Hall Estate! For those who have not taken part in a backyard ultra before then, you’re in for a treat. It is a last-person-standing event where you must begin a new lap on the hour, every hour. The race will only end when there is just one more runner remaining to start a lap. It’s sure to be an exciting and enjoyable event for runners and spectators alike with all the emotions guaranteed.

 

We want to make our Backyard Ultra one of the best in the world, where everyone wants to come and race. We want it to go on and on (although don’t quote me on that after 90 hours!) with each event lasting as many laps as humanly possible. To achieve this, we will be offering a discount to anyone who has completed a backyard within the last two years and lasted more than 46 Yards (46 hours, 46 laps). The further you have run the bigger discount we can offer.

If you’re an elite backyarder, then drop me an email before signing up.

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Whilst we do want to attract runners who can compete for days, we also want to stress that this event is open to everyone, especially if you haven’t taken part in a Backyard before. You will have so much support from myself, the team, and volunteers, as well as other runners. Our Autumn 2025 backyard boasted over 68% first time backyarders!

If you have been to one of our events in the past then you’ll know how much support we give to every runner no matter your goal. The format for this event may be different but the love and support from everyone else will always be the same.




Event FAQs

 

  • The course will be at least 4.16 miles long.
  • The starting corral will stay the same size throughout the event. When the bell rings at the start of the lap on the hour then you must be inside the starting corral. If you are not then you’ll receive a DNF and not be allowed to continue.
  • Each loop starts precisely 1 hour after the last, and warnings will be given at 3, 2, and 1 minute prior to the start of the lap. All competitors must start at the bell (no late starts). Each loop must be completed within an hour to be counted… including the final lap.
  • Except for restrooms, competitors may not leave the course until each loop is completed
  • No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners) and no personal aid is allowed during the loop. This includes being passed items or handing a jacket back to your support team, once inside the corral or the next lap has begun. You can only have assistance between finishing one lap and entering the starting corral for the next lap. Once the runner starts the lap they must be fully by themselves. Cheering and support from team members are allowed from the race HQ and corral only.
  • No artificial aids (including trekking poles).
  • Slower runners must allow faster ones to pass
  • If no runner can start one more loop than anyone else, there is no winner.


 

Hardwick Hall Estate is located just 5 minutes from J29 on the M1 Motorway near to Chesterfield and Sutton in Ashfield. For more information on the venue, including directions, accommodation, and more, please check out the Hardwick Hall Infomation Page.


You’ll be able to pick up your race number on the morning of the event at the start line. We will have access to the estate from 7 am on the Saturday morning and you’ll be able to park at the race HQ area as well. Please allow yourself enough time to grab your number before the race briefing at 9:30 am and the start of the run at 10am Saturday. If you wish to arrive the evening before then you may do so between 3pm and 5pm on the Friday evening to camp overnight. (Please note that timings may change slightly as we fix the plans with the main estate)

 


The only time limit is that you have to be back in the starting corral before the next lap begins on the hour every hour. If you are not in starting corral when the bell rings then your event will be over. Each lap is 4.16 miles long (minimum distance, route to still be finalized), which means if you complete 4 laps you have done a half marathon, 7 laps, a full marathon and 8 laps or more will be classed as an Ultra. You can finish your event at any time and you’ll receive a DNF along with your DNF memento. There can be only one winner.

 


A fully unique and bespoke backyard momento

  • Potential to win the winners trophy or the furthest male/female trophy
  • Aid station stocked with hot and cold water, squash, cola, and a chunky selection of sweets, fruit and cake for the runners
  • Dedicated first aiders on site for the full event.
  • An area for your support crew and tent on the day.
  • Amazing support that you’d expect from the Rasselbock Family

 


We will have a small aid station with lots of liquids and a small selection of fruits, sweets, and snacks. We will have extra tables for you to leave some items on if you don’t have a support crew. You are more than welcome to bring items for everyone or leave items for others after you have finished.

 


 

The route is 4.16 miles long (6.71km) and runs through a mix of estate trails and farmland.  Underfoot you’ll have a mix of natural woodland, farmland tracks and a small amount of tarmac. I’d recommend trail shoes if possible. The route has the possibility of changing depending on the National Trust’s needs at the time, but it will always be of the same length and character.

 

You can check out the preliminary route here, but please be aware that this is entirely open to changes as we finalize details with the estate. The preliminary elevation is 69m (226ft)>> https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2755856

 

 


Hardwick Hall is owned and operated by National Trust, their ruling to close the venue due to high winds is final and is predicted using met office predictions of wind gusts over 45 miles an hour. In the case of high winds, a decision will be made in advance whether the event is to go ahead. If not then we will communicate this through emails, social medias.

On the rare occasion that the venue closes then we will find a new date to hold the event at, should you not be able to participate in the event on the new date then we will allow a deferral on your entry to any new event on our calendar.

So far in the four years of events at Hardwick Hall, we have not yet had to postpone an event, but we have had to end one early.

 

 


All other questions that you may have are most probably answered on the events FAQ page.