Coffs Backyard Ultra
Saturday 1st June 2024
Event Overview
Coffs Trail Runners are excited to host the inaugural Coffs Backyard Ultra – the first backyard ultra for the North Coast of NSW.
The Coffs Backyard Ultra takes place on an out and back route along the stunning gravel Coffs Creek Track. The course is flat, predominately on gravel paths with a few easy boardwalks.
Coffs Backyard Ultra focusses on participation, inclusivity, community building, socialisation and personal achievement.
This is a donation-based event. You can donate during online registration or at the event.
Event Location: Exhibition Pavilion at Coffs Harbour Showground, NSW, 2450 (Google Maps). The new Exhibition Pavilion has amazing facilities, including a large hall and showers.
All traditional backyard ultra rules apply, except for inclusivity and mass participation reasons we allow ‘non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners)’ meaning the event does not qualify runners for National Teams, ticket races or the At-Large List.
The event is listed and insured by Australia Ultra Runners Association with approval from the City of Coffs Harbour Council.
Event Schedule
Friday 31st May 2024 – optional
16:00 onwards – optional camping and event set up
From 06:30 – bib collection, registration and event set up at Coffs Harbour Showground at 123 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour
08:00 – first lap starts at Coffs Harbour Showground
The beginning of each lap is proceeded by a 3 minute, 2 minute and 1 minute warning bell.
A 10 second countdown in the corral then follows before the start of each lap.
At the event
Coffs Backyard Ultra takes place at Coffs Harbour Showground from the newly upgraded Exhibition Pavilion.
The Exhibition Pavilion consists of a very large undercover space, toilets, large kitchen, small breakout rooms and showers.
Tents and caravans are permitted to be set up right outside the Exhibition Pavilion next to the corral for competitors and used for the entirety of the event.
Emil Wilkund will be providing free massages on Saturday at the event for runners. Contact Emil at 0431 376 184 or emilwiklund98@hotmail.com.
Marquees are permitted to be set up directly next to the corral. Note: there is significant undercover space in the Exhibition Pavilion.
Reflections Holiday Park has cabins, camping and caravan spaces and directly adjoins Coffs Harbour Showground.
The Bailey Centre is directly opposite Coffs Harbour Showground and includes fuel, Rebel Sport, food, cafe, pharmacy and more.
We will have a coffee van on Saturday morning as well as food trucks for Saturday lunch and evening.
Prizes
- Special prize and perpetual trophy to the overall last one standing (male or female)
- Special prize and perpetual trophy to the male last one standing
- Special prize and perpetual trophy to the female last one standing
- Free NORT non-alcoholic beer for all participants when they DNF
- Event prize for all participants when they DNF
- Those who reach 4 laps (26.8km), 8 laps (53.6km), 15 laps (100.5km) or 24 laps (100 miles), either with or without lap breaks, will have their name listed on the online Honour Roll.
Our Green Commitment
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 step[s 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' Approved
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:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules?
All traditional backyard ultra rules apply. However, the rule that “No non-competitors on the course (including eliminated runners)” is being broken. We are taking a flexible, social and community centred approach where runners can complete a lap/s when they like as long as there is two people left in the Last One Standing format and other non-competitors are allowed on the course. We understand this community event will not count to the At-Large List, National Records or ticket races. Children under 10yrs must run with an adult.
Why not just make the event an official backyard ultra?
We are allowing people to complete a lap when they like as there is two people left in the Last One Standing format to:
– Promote mass participation for runners who want to do only one or two laps
– Allow runners who want to rest between laps to achieve a distance PB
– Allow runners to participate who can’t make the Saturday 1st June 8:00am start time.
This means the event is not an ‘official’ backyard ultra. We are comfortable with this as our focus is on mass participation and inclusivity. However, if you want to be in the mix for Last One Standing prizes you must start your lap/s at Saturday 8:00am.
Can i camp, bring a caravan or a 3m x 3m marquee or similar?
Yes. Camping, parking caravans and 3m x 3m marquees are allowed directly adjacent to the starting corral at the Exhibition Pavilion throughout the event.
Honour Roll
The Honour Roll lists those runners who have completed 4 laps (26.8km), 8 laps (53.6km), 15 laps (100.5km) or 24 laps (100 miles) at the Coffs Backyard Ultra.
4 laps (26.8km)
To be determined in 2024.
8 laps (53.6km)
To be determined in 2024.
15 laps (100.5km)
To be determined in 2024.
24 laps (160km)
To be determined in 2024.
Supporters
X-press Print & Signs Coffs Harbour are a locally based business for over 25 years and are making an huge, awesome tally board for the Coffs Backyard Ultra.
NORT Beer is a full crafted non alcoholic beer. All backyard ultra runners will receive a NORT beer when they DNF.
Emil Wiklund will be providing free massages at the event for runners. Contact Emil at 0431 376 184 or emilwiklund98@hotmail.com
