2.1 Kent Backyard Ultra Series – Event One: Vigo

Friday 16 October 2026
Start Time: 21:00
Location: Vigo Rugby Football Club, Harvel Road, Vigo Village, Kent, DA13 0UA

You decide your story. Earned, not given.

Event OVerview

The Kent Backyard Ultra Series returns for its second year, with Event One taking place at Vigo.

This is an official Backyard Ultra event, delivered in line with the globally recognised format established by Lazarus Lake.

About This Event

This is where Series 2 begins.

A night start.
Woodland trails.
A fresh scoreboard.
And the chance to earn another yard.

Key Details

• Date: Friday 16 October 2026
• Start Time: 21:00
• Location: Vigo Rugby Football Club, Vigo Village, Kent, DA13 0UA
• Terrain: Woodland trails and forest track
• Event Type: Official Backyard Ultra (Last Person Standing competition)
• Course Record: 28 yards (Andy Imms, 2025)

Choose Your Way In

There are three ways to take part in this event.

BACKYARD ULTRA

The official Backyard Ultra format.
A last person standing competition.

• 4.167 miles, every hour, on the hour
• Finish within the hour to continue
• Miss the bell and your race is over

Only the last person standing finishes.
All other runners are recorded as DNF.

7 HOUR CHALLENGE

The 7 Hour Challenge.

• 4.167 miles, every hour, on the hour
• Run alongside the full event for up to 7 hours
• Finish within the hour to continue
• Miss the bell and your race is over

Your entry is limited to 7 hours.

HELLFIRE CREW

Take part as part of the Hellfire Crew.

• Support runners at Base Camp
• Help deliver the event
• Experience the event from a different perspective
• Earn credit towards your Backyard Ultra experience

TEAM CHALLENGE (NEW FOR SERIES 2)

A £200 prize is available for the team, club, or charity that collectively runs the furthest across the series.

• Enter your team or charity name when booking and we will handle the rest

Event Format (Official Rules)

This event follows the official Backyard Ultra format.

THE FORMAT

• Each yard is 4 miles 880 feet (4.167 miles / 6.7056 km)
• Each yard starts exactly one hour after the previous
• Runners must complete each yard within 60 minutes
• Runners must be in the starting corral before the bell
• Failure to start or complete a yard results in elimination
• The event is open-ended (last person standing wins)
• The starting corral remains the same throughout the competition
• Competitors may not leave the course during a yard (except for restrooms)
• No non-competitors are permitted on the course (including eliminated runners)
• No artificial aids are permitted (including trekking poles)
• Slower runners must allow others to pass
• Crew may assist at Base Camp between yards only
• Runners may carry their own food and drink

START PROCEDURE

• 3 whistles – 3 minutes to start
• 2 whistles – 2 minutes to start
• 1 whistle – 1 minute to start
• Bell – yard begins

All runners must start at the bell.

TIMING

• Timing of individual yards is optional under official rules
• This event uses professional chip timing provided by Krono Sports
• Completion of each yard within the hour determines continuation

WITHDRAWALS

• Any runner choosing not to start a yard is considered withdrawn
• All withdrawals must be reported to race control

RESULT STRUCTURE

• The winner is the last runner to complete a yard
• The final yard must be completed alone, within the hour
• All other runners are recorded as DNF
• If no runner completes an additional yard beyond others, there is no winner

Schedule

FRIDAY

• 18:00 – Base Camp opens (arrival, parking, setup)
• 19:00 – Registration opens
• 20:30 – Registration closes
• 20:30 – Race briefing
• 21:00 – Event start
• 23:00 – Bar closes
• 23:00 – Hot drinks available

SATURDAY (ONGOING EVENT)

• 09:00 – Day route implemented
• 21:00 – Night route reintroduced

The event continues hourly until only one runner remains.

IMPORTANT

• All runners must complete registration before 20:30
• All runners must attend the race briefing
• The event starts promptly at 21:00
• Late runners will not be permitted to start

1. Do not drive if fatigued. Plan your journey home!

Travel

LOCATION

Vigo Rugby Football Club
Harvel Road
Vigo Village
Kent
DA13 0UA

BY CAR

Vigo Rugby Club is located just off the A227 between Meopham and Wrotham.

From the M20 (Junction 2):
Follow the A227 towards Meopham for approximately 5 miles.
Harvel Road will be on your right.

From the M25 (Junction 3):
Take the A20 towards West Kingsdown.
Join the A227 towards Meopham.
Harvel Road will be on your right.

Plan your journey with additional time.
Traffic on routes into Vigo can become particularly heavy, especially on a Friday afternoon and evening.

PARKING (IMPORTANT)

Parking at Vigo is limited and must be managed carefully.

• Parking is included with your entry
• We are charged per vehicle, so please car share where possible
• All vehicles must display the driver’s name and telephone number

We operate two parking locations:

• Main parking area (closest to Base Camp)
• Secondary parking area (across the road)

The following will be directed to the secondary parking area:

• 7 Hour Challenge runners
• Later arrivals

Separate parking instructions will be sent before the event.

If your crew is arriving in a separate vehicle:

• An additional parking ticket must be purchased

Car sharing is strongly encouraged.

• Reduces pressure on limited parking
• Makes arrival smoother for everyone
• Opportunity to connect with other runners

You can arrange lifts through the Hellfire community:

Hellfire Community Group

BY TRAIN

The nearest station is Meopham.

• Approximately 10 minutes by car or taxi
• Direct services from London Victoria, Bromley South, and Chatham

BY BUS

Bus services in this area are limited.

We recommend travelling by car or arranging a taxi from Meopham station.

Venue & Facilities 

BASE CAMP

Vigo Rugby Club provides the Base Camp for this event.

This is where every yard starts and finishes.
You will return here after each yard to reset before the next.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Professional chip timing provided by Krono Sports
• On-site medical cover throughout the event
• Clearly marked and managed course
• Event team support at Base Camp

CLUBHOUSE & FACILITIES

• Seating and tables available inside (first come, first served)
• Please be respectful of shared space
• Separate male and female changing areas
• Separate male and female showers

FOOD & DRINK

• Clubhouse bar open from 18:00 to 23:00
• Tea and coffee available after 23:00

There is no on-site catering.

SETUP & SPACE

• Space is available to set up a tent or gazebo (first come, first served)
• No camping on the rugby pitch
• Outdoor space is limited and must be shared

Later arrivals may be required to park further away, which may make access to your vehicle between yards difficult.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity is available at the venue.

However, access to plug points is limited and cannot be guaranteed.

Bring your own power packs where possible.

EVENT CONDITIONS

• This is a self-supported event
• Runners are responsible for their own food and equipment
• This is a cupless event – bring your own cup or bottle

Recomended Kit

WHAT TO BRING

• Headtorch
• Backup light or spare batteries
• Trail shoes
• Spare clothing layers
• Food and nutrition
• Drinks and electrolytes
• Cup or bottle
• Chair
• Table
• Tent or gazebo (optional)
• Power bank

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Temperatures may drop overnight
• Conditions may change
• You will spend extended time at Base Camp

Course Overview

This is a trail event.

The route uses woodland trails and sections of the North Downs Way, including areas within Trosley Country Park.

• Distance: 4.167 miles per yard
• Start and finish: Clubhouse, Vigo Rugby Football Club

DAY & NIGHT ROUTES

Night Route (21:00 – 09:00)
• Flat, open trails
• Ascent and descent concentrated within a shorter section

Day Route (09:00 – 21:00)
• More consistent climbing and descending

COURSE CONDITIONS

This is a trail event and sections can become muddy, especially in wet conditions.

Trail shoes are strongly recommended.

COURSE MARKING

• Clearly marked with reflective directional signage

ROUTE MAPS

Download Route Maps

Crew Guidelines

Crew are an important part of the event.

ON THE DAY

• Crew may support runners between yards at Base Camp
• Where possible, crew should attend the event briefing at 20:30 in the clubhouse
• Additional parking must be paid for at the point of booking

CREW GUIDANCE

• No crew access is permitted on the course
• Crew should remain within Base Camp and designated areas
• Be mindful of others
• Keep shared areas tidy
• Support a respectful environment

Event Awards

• Gold Buckle – Furthest male and female
• Silver Buckle – Overall Assist
• Bronze Buckle – 24 yards (100 miles)
• Last Person Standing Medal – Event winner
• DNF Medal – Awarded to all runners who complete at least one yard

SERIES & TEAM AWARDS

• Black Buckle – Overall series winner (male and female)

• £200 prize for the team, club, or charity with the highest combined distance

Event Partners

• Enduro Sports Nutrition – Code HELLFIRE15

• Fenix Lights UK – Code HF10

• The Tea & Trail Podcast – No Code Required 

Get In Touch

hello@hellfireevents.com

STAY CONNECTED

• Instagram
• Facebook Page
• Hellfire Community Group
• Join the Mailing List
• Strava Club

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Earned, Not Given. You decide your story.