2.2. Kent Backyard Ultra Series – Event Two: Dover

Saturday 9 January 2027
Start Time: 09:00
Location: Great Farthingloe Farm, Dover, Kent, CT15 7AA

You decide your story. Earned, not given.

Event Overview

The Kent Backyard Ultra Series returns to the Kent coast for Event Two: Dover.

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

About This Event

2.2. takes the Kent Backyard Ultra Series to the Kent coast.

Winter.
Open ground.
Exposure.
And one yard every hour until only one runner remains.

Dover is different to Vigo.

This is not woodland shelter and darkness.

This is cold air, open sky, changing weather, and the kind of conditions that slowly wear people down.

You do not beat a Backyard Ultra all at once.

You just keep turning up on the hour.

Again.
And again.

Why People Come Back

Every hour resets the race.

You suffer together.
Recover together.
Then stand back on the line together.

Between yards, strangers become crew mates.
Competitors become encouragement.

You stop thinking about finish times.

The only thing that matters is:

Can you do one more yard?

That is why Backyard Ultras get under your skin.

Key Details

• Date: Saturday 9 January 2027
• Start Time: 09:00
• Location: Great Farthingloe Farm, Dover, Kent, CT15 7AA
• Terrain: Muddy trails, exposed farmland, and private roads
• Event Type: Official Backyard Ultra (Last Person Standing competition)
• Course Record: 33 yards (Josh Woods, 2026)

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
• Limited to just 15 places

Your entry is limited to 7 hours.

Many runners start here, then come back for the full event.

HELLFIRE CREW

Not running?

You can still be part of the event.

Join the Hellfire Crew and help deliver the event from the inside.

• Multiple volunteer shifts available throughout the event
• Roles include registration, timing support, runner support, course support, parking, and Base Camp operations
• Minimum volunteer shift: 6 hours
• No maximum shift length
• Earn fully transferable race credit equivalent to £10 per hour
• Gain early access to future events, including sold out races

Volunteers must be aged 18 or over.

TEAM CHALLENGE (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.

• 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
• 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
SATURDAY

• 06:00 – Base Camp opens
• 07:00 – Registration opens
• 08:30 – Registration closes
• 08:30 – Race briefing
• 09:00 – Event start

SUNDAY (ONGOING EVENT)

The event continues hourly until only one runner remains.

IMPORTANT

• All runners must complete registration before 08:30
• All runners must attend the race briefing
• The event starts promptly at 09:00
• Late runners will not be permitted to start

Do not drive if fatigued. Plan your journey home.

Travel

LOCATION

Great Farthingloe Farm
Farthingloe Barn
Dover
Kent
CT15 7AA

BY CAR
2.2. Great Farthingloe Farm is located just outside central Dover with straightforward access from the A2 and A20.

• Free parking available on site
• Campervans are welcome
• No vehicle access will be permitted between yards
• Vehicles cannot be repositioned once the event is underway
• Close to motorway and ferry links for runners travelling from further afield

More detailed parking and arrival instructions will be sent closer to the event.

BY TRAIN

The nearest station is Dover Priory.

• Approximately 30 minutes on foot
• Taxi access available from the station

BY BUS

Bus stops are located approximately 5 minutes from the venue.

VENUE & FACILITIES

BASE CAMP UPDATES

For 2027, the Base Camp location has moved from the old farmhouse used previously to the larger indoor events barn at Great Farthingloe Farm.

All runners and crew will now operate fully indoors from the Great Barn throughout the event.

This creates a more practical and weather protected environment during challenging winter conditions on the course above.

IMPORTANT EVENT SETUP INFORMATION

To help the event operate effectively in winter conditions:

• No outside camping is permitted
• No temporary structures are permitted
• No gazebos or external event shelters are allowed
• All runner setups must remain inside the barn
• Campervans are welcome within designated vehicle areas

Space inside the barn must be shared respectfully between runners and crew.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Large indoor Base Camp inside the Great Barn
• On-site medical cover throughout the event
• Clearly marked and managed course
• Event team support throughout the event

FOOD & DRINK

Boiling water and microwave facilities will be available inside Base Camp throughout the event.

For safety reasons:

• No naked flames are permitted anywhere inside the barn
• Runners and crew are not permitted to use their own cooking devices inside the venue
• Gas stoves, camping cookers, BBQs, and similar equipment are prohibited

Please plan your food strategy accordingly.

All major food delivery apps are able to deliver directly to the venue during the event.

Runners and crew are welcome to bring cold food, prepared meals, and microwaveable food options.

ELECTRICITY & POWER

Limited electricity access may be available inside the barn.

However, plug access cannot be guaranteed and should not be relied upon.

Runners and crew are strongly encouraged to bring:

• Power banks
• Backup lighting
• Spare watch chargers
• Spare batteries

This is particularly important for runners expecting to continue overnight.

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

TOILETS & FACILITIES

Indoor toilet facilities are available inside Base Camp throughout the event.

Additional portable toilets will also be positioned out on course.

Please help us keep all shared facilities clean and usable for everyone during the race.

RECOMMENDED KIT

• Waterproof jacket
• Warm layers
• Hat and gloves
• Trail shoes
• Spare clothing
• Food and nutrition
• Drinks and electrolytes
• Cup or bottle
• Chair
• Power bank
• Headtorch (recommended if continuing overnight)

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Temperatures may drop significantly overnight
• Conditions may change rapidly
• Wind exposure may increase fatigue
• You will spend extended time at Base Camp

COURSE OVERVIEW
This is a winter trail event.

The route uses muddy trails, exposed farmland, and private roads above Farthingloe Valley.

• Distance: 4.167 miles per yard
• Start and finish: Great Barn, Great Farthingloe Farm

UPDATED DAY & NIGHT ROUTES

Both the day and night routes have been improved for 2027 following feedback from previous runners and operational review after the 2026 event.

The 2027 route updates are designed to create smoother runner flow, clearer navigation, and a more consistent experience across both day and night conditions.

Updated route maps and GPX files will be released before the event.

ROUTE EXPERIENCE

The route runs along the top of the valley with wide open views across the English Channel toward mainland Europe.

In clear conditions, runners can see France.

2.2. Dover is the closest UK Backyard Ultra to mainland Europe.

COURSE DIFFICULTY

The course is designed to remain highly runnable.

However, changing conditions, exposure, and cumulative fatigue can significantly increase the difficulty of the event over time.

Choosing the correct clothing, pacing, nutrition, and recovery strategy is an important part of racing well at Dover.

COURSE CONDITIONS

This is an exposed winter trail event.

Conditions may include:

• Mud
• Standing water
• Wind exposure
• Heavy rain
• Cold temperatures

Trail shoes are strongly recommended.

COURSE MARKING

• Clearly marked with reflective directional signage

ROUTE MAPS & GPX FILES

Download route maps and GPX files here: GPX DOWNLOAD

The final confirmed GPX routes will also be included within the final runner and crew information pack sent before the event.

Minor route adjustments may still be required due to weather, land access, or safety considerations.

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
• Please be mindful of shared indoor space

CREW GUIDANCE

• No crew access is permitted on the course
• Crew should remain within Base Camp and designated areas
• Be respectful of other runners and crews
• Keep shared areas tidy
• Help maintain a positive event atmosphere

THE BASE CAMP ATMOSPHERE

While the course may be tough, the atmosphere inside Base Camp is one of the reasons runners return year after year.

Between yards, runners reset together inside the Great Barn, sharing food, stories, exhaustion, and encouragement.

For many runners, the community becomes just as memorable as the distance itself.

WEATHER & SAFETY

Conditions may become physically and mentally demanding over time.

Runners should arrive prepared for:

• Cold temperatures
• Wind exposure
• Heavy rain
• Muddy ground conditions
• Reduced overnight temperatures
• Accumulated fatigue across multiple yards

Mandatory kit requirements may be enforced depending on forecast conditions closer to the event.

Participants remain responsible for managing their own clothing, nutrition, pacing, and personal safety throughout the event.

Event Awards

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

SERIES & TEAM AWARDS

• Black Buckle – Overall Kent Backyard Ultra Series champion (male and female)

• £200 Team Challenge Prize – Awarded to the team, club, or charity with the highest combined distance across the series

Event Partners

• Fenix Lights UK – Code HF10
• Enduro Sports Nutrition – Code HELLFIRE15
• Andy’s Man Club
• Into Ultra
• SheRACES

Get In Touch

Email to team: hello@hellfireevents.com

STAY CONNECTED

• Instagram
• Facebook Page
• Hellfire Community Group
• Join The Crew List
• Strava Club
• YouTube

Hellfire Events
Earned, Not Given. You decide your story.