Friday 5 June 2026 (Optional)

3:00pm onwards – Free camping opens (tents, campervans, caravans welcome)

3:00pm onwards – Optional bib collection & gear/marquee setup   

4:00pm-5:00pm – Runner Panel

Saturday 6 June 2026

6:30am-7:50am – Bib collection & gear/marquee setup

7:50am – Race briefing in the corral

8:00am – First yard begins

Sunday 7 June 2026

7:30am-8:00am – Runners complete 24th yard (100 miles)

Event Finishes – ??? (When only one runner remains!)

Future Event Date

Saturday 12 June 2027

Event Guide, Mud Map & Videos of the Facilities

2025 Event Guide (to be updated for 2026)

2026 Mud Map

2026 Course with Emergency Points

Video Tour of the Showground

Video Tour Inside the Exhibition Pavilion

Facilities at Coffs Backyard Ultra

• A very large undercover space for gear and marquees
• Multiple toilet blocks (indoor and outdoor)
• Large kitchen with microwave, fridge and hot water urn
• Charging stations for phones, watches and headtorches
• Phone reception (throughout the course and at event hub)
• Dedicated quiet room
• Free hot showers (100m from the Exhibition Pavilion)

Note: From yard 25 onwards, only essential infrastructure will remain (e.g. race arch, hall, toilets) to reduce volunteer load. 

First Aid: A professional first aid provider (Event First Aid) will be on-site for the entire event.

Free Camping & Parking

Free camping opens Friday 5th June 2026 at 3:00pm. No registration required – plenty of space available.

Camping Areas:

• Area 1: Adjacent to the corral and Exhibition Pavilion – for vehicles to be used at the end of each yard.
  
• Area 2: Main Showground Arena – for setups inside the Exhibition Pavilion and crew/spectator parking.
  

Tents, swags, campervans, caravans, camper trailers and marquees are all welcome in both areas.

Aid Station and Water Point

Main aid station (next to the corral):

• Water, Coca-Cola and Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic)
  
• Trail Brew (neutral flavour)
• Lollies, plain salted chips, bananas and watermelon
• Ice (if forecasted over 23°C)
• Saturday 6 June at 4:00pm: Hot chips, noodles and soup 

Under Hogbin Drive bridge (3.2km & 4.1.km into the yard): 

• Unmanned, cupless water point
• Two portable toilets
• First aid available for the first 8 yards only

Food Vendors

Saturday morning: Coffee van + Pablo’s Kitchen (Bacon & Egg Rolls and Veggie options)

Saturday lunch: Pablo’s Kitchen (Veggie and Meat Nachos and Veggie and Meat Burgers)

Saturday 12:00pm: Ergofix Physiotherapy (free massages & injury support) & Refined Wellness (Normatec Compression Therapy)

In the Corral

Corral location: Under the large awning of the Exhibition Pavilion and adjacent bitumen driveway.

The corral will feature a large LED race clock, music and a finish arch with a 100m light display.

Each yard begins with a whistle countdown:

• 3 whistles = 3 minutes to go
• 2 whistles = 2 minutes to go
• 1 whistle = 1 minute to go
• A 10 second countdown in the corral 

You must be in the corral at the start of each 6.706km yard.

Bib Collection & Yard Tracking

All runners are assigned a reusable and washable numbered bib.

Bibs must be worn on your front during each yard.

You may return your bib after the event or keep it for a future Coffs Trail Runners event.

Note: If you already have a CTR bib number from a previous event, please bring it.

Timing is done manually using large tally boards and the bibs do not have timing chips.

At bib collection, you’ll receive:

• Your bib number (if you don’t already have one)
• A bib number sticker
• A name sticker

Place both stickers on the tally board.

After each yard, it is up to you to go to your name on the tally board.

Place the unique sticker (clipped to the tally board) for each completed yard to track your progress.

Over time, your stickers will spell a word.

If you DNF (Did Not Finish), make sure to place the final DNF sticker too.

Course Markings 

Course is marked using reusable reflective strips and corflute arrows with wooden stakes.

The turnaround point will be marked with a turnaround sign, reflective strips and sport cones.

Nearby Services

Reflections Holiday Park: Accommodation next to Coffs Harbour Showground, including cabins, camping and powered sites.

Adjacent services: Coffs Harbour Ambulance Station and Coffs Harbour Police Station.

The Bailey Centre (opposite Coffs Harbour Showground and across the Pacific Highway) includes:

• 24/7 fuel and general store supplies
• Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse
• Nutrition Warehouse
• Rebel Sport
• Pizza Hut
• Harbour Palace Chinese Restaurant
• Mo Tackle & Outdoors
  
• Ridgey Didge Pies
• Popeyes Fish & Chips

Coffs Central Shopping Centre: 1km away.

Event Prizes

$1,000 cash prize to both the last male and the last female left standing, proudly sponsored by The Battery Boys. 

Optional DNF Prize: Engraved wooden spoon for all runners who do not finish.

Milestone Prize: Complete 15 yards (100.6km) or more to receive a special engraved Coffs Backyard Ultra event glass.

Honour Roll

The Honour Roll on the website will list runners who complete:

• 4 yards (26.8km)
• 8 yards (53.6km)
• 15 yards (100.5km)
• 24 yards (100 miles)

Mandatory Gear

• Coffs Trail Runners Race Bib: Bring your own or collect one at the event (must be on front during each yard)
• Mobile Phone: Mandatory during night yards (5:00pm-6:00am) and recommended during day yards. Phone must have Event Contact Number saved (number TBC)
• Headtorch: Mandatory during night yards (5:00pm-6:00am)
• Cup or flask: This is a cupless event. Bring your own cup or flask for water, electrolytes, soup or noodles.

Recommended Gear

• Spare batteries and backup headtorch
• Charging cables (charging stations available)
• Personal nutrition (plus chair/table/esky). Water available at event.
• Waterproof rain jacket
• Hats or buffs or beanies
• Spare clothes such as socks, shirts, shorts, and shoes (for running and non-running)
• Towels (for free on-site hot showers) 
• Personal first aid kit (space blanket, blister care, sunscreen, lip balm, etc.)

Start & Wide Showground Loop (800m)

Runners begin from the corral, heading straight on 100 metres of bitumen to the junction with Coffs Creek Walkway.

Turn right onto a gravel pathway through the Coffs Harbour Showground.

Turn right again onto the internal bitumen road, now heading towards the main arena.

Another right turn onto a main arena bitumen road, looping anti-clockwise back to the corral.

Runners will be cheered on as they pass through the start arch again and return to the Coffs Creek Walkway junction.

This completes the 800m wide loop within the Showground.

Coffs Creek Walkway Section (5.906km)

After the 800m wide Showground loop, runners turn left and follow Coffs Creek Walkway out to the turnaround point.

Runners then return to the Showground and head directly back to the corral.

This same course is used for every yard of the event.

Yard Surface Breakdown

• 82% shaded gravel path (5.5km)
• 10% wide boardwalks (700 metres)
• 8% bitumen (500 metres)

Elevation

• Total ascent per yard: 20 metres
• Total descent per yard: 20 metres

Backyard Ultra Rules & Gear Rules

All official Backyard Ultra rules apply. Please read them before the event.

Headphones are allowed (must let you hear your surroundings e.g. Shokz).

No speaker systems or playing music out loud.

No prams are allowed due to the volume of runners on the Coffs Creek Walkway.

Minimum Age on Event Day

No minimum age. 

Children under 10 years must run with an adult.

Qualification

No prior qualification is required.

Camping, Parking & Setups

Free camping is available 3:00pm Friday 5th June and throughout the event.

Tents, swags, caravans, camper trailer and campervans are all welcome. 

Two camping/parking areas:.

• Area 1: Adjacent to the corral and Exhibition Pavilion – for vehicles used at the end of each yard.
  
• Area 2: Main Showground Arena – for vehicles not needing yard-by-yard access (e.g. setups inside the Exhibition Pavilion) plus parking for crew and spectators.
  

No registration needed for either area as there is plenty of space available.

Full access to the Exhibition Pavilion and hot showers before and during the event.

Marquees to be used at the end of each yard can be set up inside or outside the Exhibition Pavilion. Both areas are next to the corral.

Spectators & Support Crew

Support crew may assist runners only before the start of each yard.

Spectators are welcome at Coffs Harbour Showground but not allowed on the Coffs Creek Walkway.

Assistance during a yard, including pacing from non-competitive runners, will result in disqualification.

Support crew and spectators must park in the Main Showground Arena.

Old Shoe Recycling – Tread Lightly

Bring your old, clean running shoes to bib collection.

We’ve partnered with Sportspower Coffs Harbour and Tread Lightly to recycle them responsibly.

Refunds & Deferrals

No refunds on donations.

Refunds on merchandise or deferrals are available until 9:00am Monday 8th May 2026.

After this deadline, refunds and deferrals will only be granted if:

• You, your partner, or their surrogate are pregnant
• You are recovering postpartum
• You have a serious injury or medical condition (must provide a valid medical certificate)
• Other exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Committee

Note: Running-related injuries are not eligible. Merchandise will not be posted if you withdraw the event. Uncollected merchandise after the event will not be posted or refunded.

Deferrals apply only to the next time the event is held and are not transferrable or refundable.

To request a refund or deferral, email admin@coffstrailrunners.com

Transfers & Waitlist

As this is a donation-based event, no person-to-person transfers are allowed (e.g. selling or giving away entries).

If the event sells out, a free waitlist will open.

If a spot becomes available, the next person on the waitlist will be emailed registration instructions.

Withdrawing 

If you plan to withdraw from the event, please notify us as early as possible at admin@coffstrailrunners.com

Early notice helps us manage logistics and offer spots to waitlisted runners.

Event Cancellation

If the event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, you may request either:

• A deferral to the next time the event is held, or
• A refund on your donation and store purchases  

To make a request, please email admin@coffstrailrunners.com 

Note: If the event is cancelled, it will not be rescheduled in the same year and will be postponed to the next year. Refunds and deferrals are not guaranteed and will be considered at the discretion of the Coffs Trail Runners Committee.

Our Green Commitment

The ITRA Green Charter seeks to encourage the trail running community to work together to reduce the environmental impact of our sport. 

Coffs Trail Runners are proud to support and align to the ITRA Green Charter.

Coffs Backyard Ultra takes place on the Coffs Creek Track adjacent to the Coffs Creek within the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

Coffs Creek is a diverse estuarine system of coastal swamp forests, rocky shores, mangroves, mudflats and salt marshes leading to incredible beaches and island vistas.

It is a dynamic brackish environment inhabited by a variety of fauna including fish, crustaceans, shorebirds and waders.

The Buluunggal walk section of Coffs Creek walk has a number of colourful interpretive signs describing how the Gumbaynggir people use the creek. Buluunggal is the Gumbaynggirr name for the creek, meaning mullet.

We ask that runners during the event or training:

• Do not disturb wildlife
• Stay on existing tracks to avoid soil erosion
• Do not litter or an automatic disqualification will occur
• Be eco-responsible where possible 

We also partner with Sportspower Coffs Harbour, who will collect your unwanted sport and active lifestyle footwear and pass them on to Tread Lightly — a national recycling initiative that responsibly recycles shoes to give them new life.

Bring a pair of used running shoes (clean and dry) to bib collection and we’ll pass them onto Tread Lightly

‘SheRunnerAus’ Endorsed

Coffs Trail Runners is proud to be endorsed by SheRunnerAustralia, which means that we have met the requirements for,  or are working towards, providing a more equitable and accessible event for all women.”

This include, in all our races, we will do the following:

• Equal Prize Money and Awards (Yes, $1,000 to both male and female last one standing)
  
• Toilets at start line and finish line (Yes and multiple toilet blocks too!)
• Gender specific race qualifiers (N/A for Coffs Backyard Ultra)
• Pregnancy Policy (A full refund or deferral available at any time if you, your partner, or their surrogate are pregnant, or due to postpartum recovery)
• Access to detailed and well marked maps (Yes)
• Well marked course (Yes, including reflective strips at night)
• Equal use of female and male imagery in advertising and promotional material (Yes(
• Provision of menstrual product packs at aid stations (Yes, at the Event Hub and in the gendered toilet on-course)
• Equity in time based awards (N/A for Coffs Backyard Ultra)
• Gendered change areas at finish line (Yes, multiple, large toilet blocks)
• Equitable race cut off times (N/A for Coffs Backyard Ultra)
• Gendered race results online (Yes)
• Privacy options for race results and photography (Yes)
• Female specific event apparel (Yes)
  
• Childcare options (investigating!)
• Female volunteers and medics at aid stations, especially at night (Yes)
• Gendered toilets on course (Yes, new for 2026 Coffs Backyard Ultra!)
• Family friendly facilities – Are there nappy changing facilities available? (TBC) Are there areas for breastfeeding and/or to warm up baby food? (Yes) 
• Pushchair/ Pram Friendly (N/A, due to the volume of runners and surface type)
• Check point crew access for breastfeeding women (On-course support not allowed in a Backyard Ultra but yes between yards)
• Course Familiarisation Runs/training camps (Yes)
  

2025 Event

4 yards: Katharine Taylor, Chris Hamilton, Scott Walcot, Russell Crane, Henry Davis, Maria Wood, Angela Paton, Andrew Hoffman, David Williams, Joshua Kidd, Tanya Porto, Stephen Philpott, Tim Reynolds, Belinda Passlow, Jason Passlow, Chris Giffin, Georgia Banks, Tony Foulstone, Peter Hancock, Matthew Evans, Helen Nevell, Pim Heaney, Liam Lenkic, Alexandra Bruggisser, Vince Cram, Greg Smith, Greg Davis, Fiona Kealy, Susan Kirk, Michael Staub, Peter Ince, Darren Jones, Jessie Smoothy, Elizabeth Mawhinney, Josh Frost

5 yards: Jayne Phillips, Aaron Eichner, Janelle Giffin, Lilli Smyth, Harry Musgrave, Zoe Musgrave, Michelle Storm, Jody Lee, Libbie Hayton, John Pappas, Sonia Weiss, David Berry, Lachlan Armstrong, Scott Everard, Damon McDonald-Kay, Ryan Kelso, Sonny Kemp, Lee-Anne McKinnon, Rachel O’Mara, Carlie Emery, Priscilla Boniface, David Finke, Matt Doyle, David O’Donnell, Andrew M, Nicole Feain, David Black, Jessica Moore, Melanie Larcombe, Matthew Wood, Belinda Price, Jess Van Dan Brink, Brendan Rennison, Byron Wicks, Heather Philpott, Jason Sipple, Erin Potter, Sissiel Keough, Brooke Stevens, Chris Lenkic, Erin Gallagher, Abigail Dawson, Rodney Gallagher, Daniel Causley, Will Palmer, Niki Wear, Kathryn Gibney, Chris Barnes, Greg Crowe

6 yards: Matthew Dunn, John Mawhinney, Matt Trounce, Sinead Ryan, David Keir, Joey Donovan, Lisa Redmond, Nicolas Semami, Brendan Goswell, Asher Cribb, Joanne Ashton, Adam Bancroft, Steven Cocksedge, Tim Kirchmer, Terry Yeark, Madeleine Richey, Sophie Shelton, Zoe da Roza, Claudia Tucker, Shayla Hayton, Carson Gallagher, Sean Ladds, Joe Quiring, Erin Bennett, Natalie Anderson, Brooke Gordon, Carl Marsden, Lillian Hodgkinson, Vanessa McDonald, Troy Van Kampen, Madison Terry, Andrew Ferguson

7 yards: Braden Hardaker, Beth Marmo, Isabel Snowdon, Sonja Hinton, Andrew Wilson, Matt Schaefer, Lauren Hodge, Danielle Brooke, Jase Hannon, Tom Paff, Kate Heyward, Daniel Jhureea, Kirby West, Michelle Versluys, Sue Gooley, Dylan Abdurahman, Jacqui Morrow, Ruth Butler, Ryan White, Nicholas Hade, David O’Sullivan, Jess Causley, Emily Evans, Chris Cook, Phil George, Brad Bryan, Harrison Palmer, Benjamin Williams, Chris Bennett 

2024 Event

4 yards: John Mawhinney, Briana Rooney, Chi Crowe, Cheryl Lane, Jennifer Williams, Elizabeth Lynch, Stacy Wong, Ed Brazier, Deborah Ellison, Simon Price, Jennifer Porra, Jan Rooney, Nick Barton, Scott Cawley, Julie Knight, Danielle McMahon, David Finch, Greg Davis, Erin Bennett, Chris Barnes, Matthew Evans Jason Cottell, David Gill, Josie Prime, Tara Barchalk, Ryan Knott, Melanie Silvester, Erin Potter, Josh Carroll, Brendan Ratcliffe, Sarah-Jane Williscroft, David Black, Damien Wood, Kate Bevitt, Monique Kusse, Joel Digney, Helen Nevell

5 yards: Annabelle Swainston, Alex Paton, Russell Crane, Conrad Martin, Ava Pearl, Tamara McSkimming, Glenn Knightly Chloe Geyer, Matt Ogilvie, Janelle Giffin, Maria Rosewood, Martin Seymour, Andrew Wong, Shane Flannery, Julie Catalano, Kathryn Gibney, David Hughes

6 yards: Kerry Westwood, Janie Mahoney, Rob Gale, Corinne Stevenson, Dean Caton, Harry Musgrave, Clarissa Hull, Alex Le Mesurier, Hayden Ward, Rebekah Atkinson, Peter Feain, Lauren Hodge, Angela Paton, Trish Dawson, Angela Luxford, Nathan Green, Jake Sykes, Susan Kirk

7 yards: Maurice Gregory, Sonia Weiss, Nathan Howe, Lilli Smyth, Fiona Kealy, Malcolm Conway, Matt Newhouse, Sarah Morgan

2025 Event

8 yards: Hayden Ward, Lauren Smart, Braden Lewis, Shaun Bayndrian, Ben Smith, Fraser Robinson, Teven Gallagher, Clementine Eaton, Elize Strydom, Anastasia Alexiou, Luke Birmingham, Kurt Bienefelt, Brad Simmons, Annabelle Nance, Louis Birks, Kieran Marshall, Matt Newhouse, Sarah Hindes, Karisa Azevedo, Andrew Austin, Christopher Burns, Kate Marsden, Kellie Sinclair, Kane Ryan, Jack Evans, Adam Ellison, Danny Martins, Matthew McAleer, Michael Jones, Casey Smith, Peter Zabaks

9 yards: Victoria Van De Stadt, Angela Luxford, Rebekah Atkinson, Drew Twyford, Chris Pankurst, Simon Peter Byrne, Mardi Sumner, Jim Sanderson, Brodie Wynter, Maurice Gregory

10 yards: Simon Manzano, Marlin Hoppen, Gina Scott, Ben Appleby, Scott Cawley, Nathan Chapman, Kerry Westwood, Sharon Reynolds, Karl Phillips, Lisa Hewett, Jessica Dorrian, Christopher Binks, Nicolas Russ, Matt Carrington, Kate Pensini, Tom Craig, Oona Swinson-Dulhunty, Steven Dewhurs

11 yards: Damian Riches, Ben Russell, Nigel Durbridge, Ashleigh Dawson, Jessica Whight, Rebecca Riches, Erinn Simpkins, Christopher Berry, Ryan Ford, Katrina Hayes, Rigan McAree, Ross Burgess, Abby Donohoe, Jacob Whatman

12 yards: Madison Scott, Sam Thomas, William Kenney-Herbert, Aimee Pirie, Ashley Birks, Adam Simpkins, Iago Brasileiro, Anthony Donohoe, Sammy Bond, Stuart Hucker, Johnathon Craig-Dobson, Jonathan Jones, Jules Mackin, David Hessey, Susie Jones, Matthew Dobb

13 yards: Ben Harris, Nicole Ingram, Arum Holden, Darian Galloway, Andrew Morgan

14 yards: No DNFs

2024 Event

8 yards: Jessica Loader, Tara Tooth, Jenny Austin, Mardi Sumner, Katrina Hayes, Shahrynn Edmunds, Simonne Clark, Holly Vanderveer, Keelan Birch, Chris Hamilton, Karl Phillips, Matt Doyle, Matthew Dobbs, Samuel Schmarr, Jim Sanderon, Chris Giffin, Christopher Burns, Steve Thompson, James Forrester, David O’Sullivan, Nathan Roper, Jeremiah Rowlands, Anthony Donohoe, Louis Birks, Kurt Bienefelt, James Marshall, Jessica Loader

9 yards: Elize Strydom, Kate Alliston, Zoe de Roza, David Hessey, Clancy Skinner, Matthew McAleer, Rhys Clarke, Ben Appleby, Seth Diffey, Paul Woodhouse

10 yards: Karla Barlow, Sheree Cottell, Kate Thornton, Chris George, Nicholas Russ, Matt Bell, Stuart Hucker, Christopher Berry, James Alexander, Brett Crowe, Warren Ansell, Harry McAllister, Dylan Wilkins, Brendon Dean

11 yards: Ash Mondolo, Melissa Rowe, Jonathan Jones, Bryson Azzopardi, Colin MacLaurin, Henry Sheehan

12 yards: Kylie McGrath, Rachel Cleary, Nicholas Taylor, Dean Irving, Victor Lunt, Mike O’Connell, Ash Goulding, Sam McAllister, Mark Garner, Jack Ryan

13 yards: Vice Hazdovac, Sinclair Park, Steve Chilcott, Christopher Binks, Pim Bergers, Graham Glover

14 yards: No DNFs

2025 Event

15 yards: Theresa Evans, Mike O’Connell, Glenn Kightley, Matthew Tighe, Kiralee Carter, Benjamin Shearman, Graham Glover, Luke Bonnor, Alexandre Vermis, David Matthews, James Davis, Jeff Worth, Jake Eastgate, Steve Boniface, Matthew Whight, Thomas Doyle, Ben Monaghan, Drew McCullough, Daniel Woods, Brendon Dean, Lachlan Cullen, Michael Crowley, Kyle Hughes, Hudson Worth, Mark Vile

16 yards: Jack Baird, Amanda Hodgkinson, Mark Westman, Mark McClelland, Alexander Eadie, Alesha Kalz, Ashleigh Lawler, Jeff Worth

17 yards: Nicholas McDonald, Ben Gooley

18 yards: Crystal Van Rysbergen

19 yards: Richard Pring, Henry Kocatekin

20 yards: Brian Knowles

21 yards: Ryan Press

2024 Event

15 yards: Andrew Ferguson, Andrew McDonald, James Davis, Aaron Cassar, Dylan Di Sciascio, Gerald Taylor, Jack Baird

16 yards: Thomas Doyle, Luke Rombi

17 yards: James Dowzard

18 yards: Jenny Friend, Brian Knowles

19 yards: Clare Palmer (Last Female Standing), Christopher Hageman

2025 Event

24 yards: Annabelle Swainston

25 yards: Clare Palmer, Lewis Maciver, Sam McAllister

26 yards: Jason Gorham

27 yards: Travis Ireland 

30 yards: Henry Jambor, Joshua Duff

34 yards: Michael Sheekey

36 yards: Matthew Whatman (Male Assist)

37 yards: Oliver Sheekey (Last Male Standing)

2024 Event

25 yards: Jason Gorham (Male Assist)

26 yards: Jonathan Ash (Last Male Standing)