Rasselbock Backyard Ultra: Sherwood Pines 2027

Rasselbock Backyard Ultra: Sherwood Pines 2027 - Image 2

Rasselbock Backyard Ultra: Sherwood Pines 2027

Mark your calendars as the Rasselbock Backyard Ultra will be back again during on 27th of March 2027, during the Easter Holidays! A little later in the month because in all honestly, we’re a little tired of the cold nights and wintery weather 😅

This will be the 8th Rasselbock Backyard (How time flies!), and, like every year it will be bigger and better than ever before, so why run with us next Spring?

  • UK female record is frequently broken at this event!
  • Course record broken year on year with 2025 event ending after 51 yards!
  • 66% of our runners in 2024 and 72% of our runners in 2025 had never run a backyard before.
  • The friendliest family of runners, crew, and supporters you could ever ask for at an event.

As always, you can choose the option to pay in full, or at checkout select the PayPal option to pay in three installments through “PayPal Pay In 3” (You can also pay in full through PayPal)

We’re introducing a £15 fee for name transfers this year as it takes up a huge amount of admin work matching buyers and sellers. More info to come, but getting onto the waiting list is still free.

Scroll for more information.

£115.00

Sold Out. Click here to be added to the wait list




 

Welcome back to the 8th Rasselbock Backyard Ultra. 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.

 

“Elite Backyarders”

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 80 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 40 hours (40 yards, 40 laps). The further you have run the bigger discount we can offer.

40 Yards or more = 50% Discount

46 Yards or more = 70% Discount

50 Yards or more = Free Entry!

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

————————-

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. In 2025, 2/3rds of our start line consisted of runners who had never competed in a Backyard Ultra before!

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.

————————-

Due to the cost of organizing this backyard, we unfortunately can not offer any refunds (after 14 days from sign-up) for this event. We can offer a name change on an entry which means you can pass the booking along or look to sell it. If you don’t have a buyer then we will have an extensive waiting list from once the event has sold out. The final date to transfer a booking will be the 20th of Feb as we will need to send off the start list to the timing company.

You can find the answers to most questions below, but all other questions that you may have are most probably answered on the events FAQ page.




Event Information

  • 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.


Sherwood Pines Forest Park is located 6 miles east of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG21 9JL. For more information on the venue, including directions, accommodation, and more, please check out the Sherwood Pines Infomation Page.


  • A fully unique backyard DNF memento
  • Aid station stocked with water, squash, Hot water, and a selection of sweets and fruit for the runners
  • Dedicated first aiders on site for the full event.
  • An area for your support crew and tent on the day.
  • Free parking for one vehicle for the entire event.
  • Full chip timing and live results throughout the entire event.
  • The entire event live-streamed for your friends and family to follow along
  • Amazing support that you’d expect from the Rasselbock Family
  • The winner will receive a free entry into either of the next two editions of the race, along with a prime spot reserved on the start corral.
  • If you break a record (GB Male or Female or World Record) then you will also receive a free entry into either of the next two editions.
  • The winner will receive a winner’s trophy, and the furthest distance for both male and female will also receive a trophy.


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 forest from 6 am on the Saturday morning and you’ll be able to park at the race parking area as well, and not in the main forest car park. 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 on Saturday. If you wish to arrive the evening before then you may do so after 5:30 pm on the Friday evening to camp overnight.


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 the 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.


The route is 4.19 miles long (6.74km) and runs through a mix of forest trails single paths and forest access roads. Underfoot you’ll have a mix of natural woodland and gravel tracks so I’d recommend trail shoes if possible. The route has the possibility of changing depending on the Forestry Commission’s needs at the time, but it will always be of the same length and character. The 2024 edition had an unchanged route which you can view here.


We will have an aid station with lots of liquids and a 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.


If the weather is not the best then we will still go ahead with the event. You may just want to wrap up warmer!

The only time the event would be canceled is if the Forestry Commission decides that the weather is causing dangerous conditions in the forest. This is usually if there are wind gusts higher than 40mph predicted over the event days. We have only had an event canceled once in 4 years due to winds before but it is worth noting that it is a possibility!

If this happens then we will offer you a place on a rescheduled date (TBA), or a deferral to the Hardwick event. We can not defer to the following year as our permits are only granted after the previous year’s event.

In the worst-case scenario where the event is postponed to a new date then we will inform you by the end of day, Wednesday 25th March