Friday 6th June 2025 – optional

3:00pm to 5:00pm- optional bib collection and gear/marquee set up at Coffs Harbour Showground

3:00pm onwards – free camping at Coffs Harbour Showground in tents, swaps, gazebos, cars, campervans or caravans. Available for the entire event. No need to register.

Saturday 7th June 2025

6:30am to 7:50am – bib collection and gear/marquee set up at Coffs Harbour Showground

7:50am – Race briefing in the corral

8:00am – first lap starts

4:00pm – course changes from modified to standard course

Event Finishes – ???

Course description

After leaving the corral, runners go straight along 100 metres of bitumen (4 metres in width) until they reach the junction with the Coffs Creek Walkway.

1. For the modified course for the first 8 laps, runners turn right and follow a wide gravel pathway (4 metres in width) through Coffs Harbour Showground for 300m before turning right again towards the main arena. Runners then follow the wide bitumen road (4 metres in width) around the main arena for 500m in a clockwise direction. Runners then turn left and left again back onto the gravel pathway to the junction with the towards Coffs Creek Walkway. This completes the wide 1.4km loop for the modified course. Runners then go straight to follow the Coffs Creek Walkway out to the turnaround point. On returning back into Coffs Harbour Showground, runners turn right directly back to the corral.

2. For the standard course for lap 9 and onwards, runners turn left and follow the Coffs Creek Walkway out to the turnaround point and then back the same way to the corral.

Coffs Creek Walkway is a mix of shaded gravel paths and wide boardwalks (2 metres in width).

Lap surface (standard course): ~82% shaded flat gravel path (~5.4km), 15% wide boardwalks (~1km) and 3% bitumen (~200 metres)

Lap surface (modified course): ~80% shaded flat gravel path (~5.3km), 10% wide boardwalks (~700 metres) and 10% bitumen (~700 metres)

Total ascent & descent per lap (modified and standard course): 20 metres

Aid Station & Water Point

An aid station will be located next to the corral and will be stocked with:

• Water
• Coca-cola
• Ginger beer (non-alcoholic)
  
• Trail Brew (neutral flavour)
• Lollies
• Chips
• Bananas
• Watermelon
• Ice if forecasted over 23 degrees
• Noodles (at night)
• Soup (at night)

A cupless, unmanned water point will be located under Hogbin Drive bridge for runners to use during the lap.

For the modified course for the first 8 laps, the water point is located 3.85km and 4.10km into the lap.

For the standard course for lap 9 and onwards, the water point is located 2.6km and 4.10km into the lap.

Course markings & turnaround points

The course will be marked using reusable reflective strips.

For both the standard and modified courses, the turnaround points are at minor forks in the trail where there is an interpretive sign.

The turnaround points will be clearly marked by reflective strips and witches hats.

Mandatory Gear

• Coffs Trail Runners Race Bib: Either brought to the event (if you previously one) or provided at the event. The Race Bib must be worn on your front at all times during laps.
• Mobile Phone: Between 5:00pm-6:00am, participants must carry a mobile phone during night laps.
• Headtorch: Between 5:00pm-6:00am, participants must carry a headtorch during night laps.
• Cup or flask: Coffs Backyard Ultra is a cupless event. Bring your own cup or flask for water, electrolytes, soup or noodles.

Recommended Gear

• Spare batteries for headtorch
• Backup headtorch with spare batteries
• Charging cables. There will be dedicated charging stations inside.
• Personal nutrition and water, including a table and esky. In addition to aid station supplies, tables and fridges available inside the Exhibition Pavilion 
• Chair and optional shelter if setting up outside
• A waterproof rain jacket
• Hats or buffs or beanies
• Spare running and non-running clothes, such as socks, shirts, shorts, and shoes
• Towels, including for free on-site hot shower after
• Personal first aid kit, such as space blanket, blister prevention, sunscreen, lube and lip balm

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

As the event is a Bronze Ticket Event, the last one standing overall will receive an automatic entry into a Silver Ticket Event.

A ‘Did Not Finish’ (DNF) engraved wooden spoon event prize to all runners (optional).

Special prize for those runners that complete 15 laps (100.5km) or more.

The website Honour Roll will list runners who complete:

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

What are the rules?

All traditional backyard ultra rules apply and it is a Bronze Ticket Event.

For the 2025 event, you cannot skip a lap or start after 8:00am.

With over 500 runners, how are you going to reduce congestion on the course?

For the first 8 laps, we will have a modified course, meaning it is a wide path (4 metres in width) for 1.4km until the Coffs Creek Walkway (2 metres in width).

For lap 9 and onwards, we will revert to the standard course.

Runners must to stick to the left at all times while running on Coffs Creek Walkway.

Is the event sold out? How do I get an entry? 

The event sold out in December 2024 with no regular entries available.

If you want to enter, please contact admin@coffstrailrunners.com.

If an entry becomes available due to withdrawals, we will let you know and send you the details to transfer into the event

I know someone withdrawing, can they transfer me their entry? Can I transfer my entry to another runner?

Transfers to another runner are only available up to May 1 2025.

To transfer your entry to another runner, the runner who has the entry must email admin@coffstrailrunners.com with the new runner’s name and their email and confirmation they want to transfer their entry to the new runner.

We do not allow the resale or transfer of entries via the Coffs Backyard Ultra Facebook Group.

What if I need to withdraw? Can I get a refund? 

If you need to withdraw, please contact admin@coffstrailrunners.com as soon as possible.

We do not allow refunds on your donation.

We do not allow entries to be deferred.

Can I camp or set up a caravan, camper trailer or campervan? 

Yes. Camping in tents, swags, caravans, camper trailers or campervans are all allowed for free next to the starting corral to be used Friday night and during the event.

You don’t need to register.

You will have full access to the Exhibition Pavilion and hot showers during the entire event.

Can I set up a 3m x 3m marquee or similar to use?

Yes. You can choose to set up outside or inside the Exhibition Pavilion. Both are directly next to the corral

Can I use hiking poles?

No. Hiking poles are not allowed as per the official Backyard Ultra rules.

What about spectators or support crew?

Support crew are allowed to provide assistance to runners before the start of each lap.

Assistance during the lap will result in disqualification.

Pacers from non-competitors are not allowed and will result in disqualification.

Spectators are encouraged within Coffs Harbour Showground only.

Spectators are not allowed on the Coffs Creek Walkway.

Can I use headphones?

Headphones are allowed but they must allow you to hear your surroundings (e.g. Shokz).

No speaker systems or playing music out loud is allowed during laps.

What is the minimum age?

We do not have a minimum age but children under 10 years must run with an adult.

Can I bring a pram?

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

The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) Green Charter seeks to encourage the trail running community to join forces, working together to reduce the environmental impact of our sport. It lists practical steps event organisers can take to be more eco-responsible.

We are proud to support and align to the ITRA Green Charter. Steps we are taking to reduce our environmental footprint are found here: Coffs Trail Runners x 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 and beautiful 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 

Trail Sisters support, enhance, and equalize women’s experience in trail racing. By implementing these standards race events commit to a welcoming experience for women participants. This will help to increase women’s participation in trail (and ultra) events as well as provide awareness of the needs, expectations, and support, female runners’ desire.

Coffs Trail Runners is proud to align to the Trail Sisters Approved Standards in all our races in the following ways:

To be determined in 2025

To be determined in 2025

To be determined in 2025

To be determined in 2025

4 laps (26.8km)

on-continuous laps: Briana Rooney (4 laps), Chi Crowe (4 laps) Cheryl Lane (4 laps), Jennifer Williams (4 laps), Elizabeth Lynch (4 laps), Russell Crane (5 laps), Conrad Martin (5 laps), Dean Caton (6 laps), Harry Musgrave (6 laps), Lilli Smyth (7 laps), Fiona Kealy (7 laps)

4 laps: John Mawhinney, 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 laps: Annabelle Swainston, Alex Paton, 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 laps: Kerry Westwood, Janie Mahoney, Rob Gale, Corinne Stevenson, 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 laps: Maurice Gregory, Sonia Weiss, Nathan Howe, Malcolm Conway, Matt Newhouse, Sarah Morgan

8 laps (53.6km)

Non-continuous laps: Matt Bell (10 laps)

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

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

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

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

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

15 laps (100.3km)

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

16 laps: Thomas Doyle, Luke Rombi

17 laps: James Dowzard

18 laps: Jenny Friend (Female Assist), Brian Knowles

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

24 laps (160km)

25 laps: Jason Gorham (Male Assist)

26 laps: Jonathan Ash (Last Male Standing)