Kent Backyard Ultra Series II
2.3. SHOLDEN — Nowhere to Hide
Saturday 10 April 2027
Lillyroo’s Glamping, Sandwich Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 0AT
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Sholden is the family-friendly favourite of the series.
The route is open, flat, and there is nowhere to hide.
With camping, glamping, campervan options, a bar, freshly cooked food and space for crews and supporters, Sholden has a proper weekend feel.
If you are chasing a Backyard Ultra PB or trying the format for the first time, Sholden is the one.
Date: Saturday 10 April 2027
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Venue: Lillyroo’s Glamping, Sandwich Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 0AT
Format: Backyard Ultra / 7 Hour Challenge
Total Places: Capped at 120 runners
7 Hour Challenge: Limited to 10 places
Route: Flat out-and-back across coastal marshland
Ascent: Approximately 8 metres per yard
Course Record: 41 yards - Luke Carter
Minimum Age: 16
Under 18s: Parent or guardian consent required
2.3. At A Glance
Why Sholden?
Sholden sold out last year and carried a long waiting list.
Now it returns with a clear target to beat:
Luke Carter’s 41 yards.
Set at Lillyroo’s Glamping, just outside Deal, 2.3. Sholden is the flat, PB-friendly, family-friendly camping event of Kent Backyard Ultra Series II.
Arrive from Friday, camp for the weekend, bring your crew, enjoy the bar and freshly cooked food, and settle into a full weekend of Backyard Ultra culture.
The route is simple, flat and accessible.
But do not mistake simple for easy.
There are no big climbs to blame, no technical sections to hide behind, and no complicated route to distract you.
Just you, the bell, the coastal marshland, and the decision to go again.
WHAT ARE RUNNERS SAYING?
david gladwish
Based on approved reviews, Sholden received a 4.9 public average rating on Eventrac.
Runners praised the organisation, atmosphere, marshals, venue, support crew and beginner-friendly feel of the event.
If you are new to Backyard Ultra, Sholden is a strong place to start.
If you are chasing a bigger number, it is also a dangerous place to find out how far you can really go.
“Wonderfully organised and such a good atmosphere. The course is both beginner friendly and ideal for long performances.”
“This was my first BYU and so glad it was with Hellfire Events.”
Scott Beighton
“A really friendly crowd. Everyone was pleasant and happy to chat. The crew were phenomenal.”
Mark Chandler
“Superbly organised & supported.”
Karen Ash
CHOOSE YOUR WAY IN
There’s more than one way to step into the arena.
Pick your route and see where it takes you.
BACKYARD ULTRA
The official Backyard Ultra format.
A last person standing competition.
4.167 miles, every hour, on the hour.
Finish within the hour and earn the right to go again.
Miss the bell and you’re out.
Only the last person standing finishes. Everyone else gets a DNF.
7-HR CHALLENGE
The 7 Hour Challenge.
Your entry into the Backyard Ultra.
4.167 miles, every hour, on the hour.
Run alongside the full event for up to 7 hours.
Finish within the hour and earn the right to go again.
Miss the bell and you’re out.
Your entry is limited to 7 hours.
HELLFIRE CREW
The Hellfire Crew.
Step into the event from the other side.
Be part of the team that keeps the yards moving.
Support runners when it matters.
Experience the event in a different way.
Join a community YOU'LL WANT TO COME BACK TO.
THE FORMAT
Backyard Ultra is brilliantly simple.
Run a 4.167-mile yard every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains.
Finish the yard in under 60 minutes and you stay in.
Miss the bell, fail to complete the yard in time, or choose not to continue, and your race is over.
Everyone starts together.
Everyone gets the same hour.
Everyone has to decide whether they are going again.
The full Backyard Ultra continues until there is only one runner left.
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 be in the starting corral before the bell.
Withdrawals
Any runner choosing not to start a yard is considered withdrawn.
All withdrawals must be reported to Race Control.
Do not leave the event without telling Race Control.
We need to know you are safe.
Schedule
Do Not Drive If Fatigued
Plan Your Journey Home
Friday 9TH April
15:00 - Camping and weekend setup opens at Lillyroo’s
Friday access is only for those who have booked the correct camping, glamping, campervan or base setup option through Hellfire Events.
19:00 - Hellfire Social Gathering in the bar
Join us in the bar on Friday evening for a relaxed Hellfire social gathering before the event starts on Saturday.
This is a chance for runners, crews, supporters and volunteers to meet, settle in and become part of the weekend before the first bell even rings.
SATURDAY 10TH APRIL
07:00 - Base Camp, parking and registration open
08:30 - Registration closes
08:30 - Mandatory race briefing
09:00 - Event start
SUNDAY 11TH APRIL
Sunday 11 April 2027
The event continues hourly until only one runner remains.
Sunday updates to follow.
Venue, Food and Facilities
Lillyroo’s Glamping provides the Base Camp for 2.3. Sholden.
This is where every yard starts and finishes.
You will return here after each yard to reset, refuel, change kit, speak to your crew and prepare for the next bell.
The venue gives Sholden its proper weekend feel, with camping, glamping, campervan options, showers, toilets, a bar, freshly cooked food and space for crews and supporters.
Venue Facilities
You can expect:
- Professional chip timing
- On-site medical cover throughout the event
- Clearly marked and managed course
- Event team support at Base Camp
- Male and female toilets
- Showers
- Fresh drinking water
- Bar
- Freshly cooked food
- Boiling water
- Camping and weekend setup options
- Glamping bell tents
- Campervan spaces
Food & Drink
Lillyroo’s will be serving freshly cooked food during the event.
The bar will also be open during the weekend.
Runners are welcome to bring their own food and drink.
Free drinking water will be available throughout the event for refilling bottles.
Boiling water will be available during the event.
This is a cupless event, so bring your own cup or bottle.
.
Camping, Glamping and Campervan Options
All camping, glamping and campervan options are available to add when booking your 2.3. Sholden event place through Eventrac.
Friday access is only available to runners, crews and supporters who have booked the correct camping, glamping, campervan or base setup option with their 2.3. Sholden event entry.
Please select the option you need during the booking process so everything is confirmed before event weekend.
2.3. Weekend Camping & Base BOOKING
Weekend Camping & Base Setup Pass
The Weekend Camping & Base Setup Pass gives access to the designated camping area from Friday 9 April.
You need this pass if you are:
- Pitching a tent from Friday
- Using a gazebo, shelter or awning during the event
- Creating a temporary base setup in the camping area
- Staying close to the start line for the full Backyard Ultra weekend
This pass is for runners, crews and supporters.
2.3 Campervan Weekend Booking
Campervan spaces are planned for the weekend and will be approximately a two-minute walk from the start line.
Each campervan booking covers up to 4 people and includes the weekend camping pass for those guests.
You do not need to buy a separate Weekend Camping & Base Setup Pass for the people covered by your campervan booking.
Price, number of campervan spaces and vehicle size limits will be confirmed once agreed with Lillyroo’s.
If you are bringing an additional vehicle for crew or spectators, an additional parking permit may be required.
2.3. Glamping Bell Tent booking
Bell tent hire is available from Friday 9 April.
Each bell tent sleeps up to 4 people and is positioned within walking distance of the start line.
You do not need to bring your own tent.
Bring your sleeping bag, pillow and personal kit.
The bell tent booking includes the weekend camping pass for up to 4 people, so those guests do not need to buy a separate Weekend Camping & Base Setup Pass.
Only 10 bell tents are available.
Sholden sold out last year with a long waiting list, so book early if you want this option.
Recommended kit
We recommend bringing:
- Waterproof jacket with taped seams
- Headtorch, minimum 300 lumens
- Spare battery or backup light
- Trail shoes with suitable grip
- Reusable bottle or cup
- Enough food to fuel your effort
- Warm layers for between yards
- Camping kit if staying for the weekend
- Chair, table, shelter or crew setup if staying near the start and finish area
- Fully charged mobile phone
- Power bank
- Emergency blanket
Final kit guidance and event instructions will be sent to runners before event day.
Crew Guidance:
Crew may support runners between yards at Base Camp only.
Crew must not enter the course unless instructed by event staff.
No pacing, mule support, or handing food, drink or kit to runners is permitted while they are on the course.
Where possible, crew should attend the race briefing so they understand how the event works and where support is allowed.
Base Camp Etiquette
Base Camp is shared by runners, crews, volunteers and event staff.
Bring what you need, but do not take more space than necessary.
Please keep your area tidy, respect neighbouring setups and help maintain a positive atmosphere throughout the event.
Base Camp and camping space must be shared respectfully.
Kent Backyard Ultra Series II
Sholden is 2.3. in the Kent Backyard Ultra Series.
That means it is the third event in Series II.
The full series features four events across Kent:
- 2.1. Vigo — 16 October 2026
- 2.2. Dover — 9 January 2027
- 2.3. Sholden — 10 April 2027
- 2.4. Bedgebury — Date TBC
Each event location has been chosen because it asks something different from you.
This is not four copies of the same race.
It is a four-part challenge built around different terrain, conditions, start times and mental tests.
How The Series Works
Every yard you complete adds to your overall series total.
Run 6 yards at Dover and 9 yards at Sholden, and you will appear on the series leaderboard with 15 total yards.
You do not need to win an event to be part of the series story.
This is about showing up, banking yards, supporting others, and seeing how far you can go across the year.
Team Challenge
The Kent Backyard Ultra Series II also includes a £200 Team Challenge prize.
The prize will be awarded to the team, club or charity that collectively completes the most yards across the series.
Enter your team, club or charity name when booking and we will handle the tracking.
Every yard counts.
Medals and Buckles
Your effort is recognised.
- Complete at least 1 yard: Kent Backyard Ultra DNF medal
- Complete 24 yards / 100 miles: Bronze Buckle
- Furthest male at Sholden: Gold Buckle
- Furthest female at Sholden: Gold Buckle
- Overall Assist: Silver Assist Buckle
- Last Person Standing: Gold LPS Medal
- Most yards across the full series: Black Buckle Male & Female
Good To Know
- Supporters and crews are welcome
- Family-friendly venue
- Camping, glamping and campervan options available when booking the event
- Bar and freshly cooked food available on site
- Simple, flat and accessible out-and-back route
- Interest-free payment plans available
- Full camping, food, bar, parking and arrival details will be sent before event day
- Full runner information will be sent before race day
- Minimum age: 16
- Runners under 18 require parent or guardian consent
Ready To Enter?
Come for your own target.
Your first yard.
Your first seven.
Your first ultra.
Your first 100 miles.
Your PB.
Your team total.
Secure your place, spread the cost interest free, and get ready to answer the only question that matters:
Are you going again?
Get In Touch
Email the team: hello@hellfireevents.com
Stay Connected
Follow Hellfire Events and stay close to the series:
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