* Free Comunity Run – 15.NOVEMBER

First ever Psyland Backyard Ultra `Comunity Run´. Everyone can come and try out the Backyard Ultra style. We start at 10am but you free to start later too. Every hour on the hour we start at the Backyard of Psyland 25. We provide drinks, snacks and a dry place with even a few heaters.

When you are just curious about a Backyard or just feel like joining for 1-2 Laps with us to meet some local runners or ultra runners for a small chat than this will be a good oportunity for you. Maybe also to check out the course and get ready for the first Edition in 2026.

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The concept is simple. Run 4.167 miles (The metric equivalent is 6.7056 m.) every hour, on the hour. The aim is to complete as many laps as you can!

Each circuit starts on the hour and must be completed in less than 60 minutes. When each lap is completed, the remaining time within the hour is typically used to recover for the next circuit.

Everyone completes hourly circuits until there is only one runner still going. They are the event winner! The current world record for a Backyard Ultra is Phil Gore (Australia) – 119 laps (797.9 km) at the 2025 Dead Cow Gully.

Our Psyland Loop

Was put in place by Lily Lu, founder of Psyland and passionate Ultra trail runner who discovered her love for Backyard Ultra trail runs. After running thousands of Km out of our Backyard it was just a logical step to find a beautiful 6.47 km long lap around the village of Tengen, on mixed route of dirtroads, gravelroads and forest paths with each lap reaching top of the hill above start point with potential view all the way to Swiss Alps. The course starts directly out of our Backyard and have just around 400m of asphalt and street with a elevation gain of 166m. Besides of passing a few other houses and backyards it leads straight out in the beautiful nature of the Hegau.


A Backyard Ultra Explained

The concept is simple. Run 4.167 miles every hour, on the hour. The aim is to complete as many laps as you can!

Each circuit starts on the hour and must be completed in less than 60 minutes. When each lap is completed, the remaining time within the hour is typically used to recover for the next circuit.

Everyone completes hourly circuits until there is only one runner still going. They are the event winner! 

A Personal Endurance Challenge
The Backyard Ultra is a personal endurance challenge in which you see how far you can push yourself.

Although the format sounds extreme, the Backyard Ultra is open to all levels of runners.
Since the pace is low and each lap starts anew, even beginners can gain their first experience and simply run as long as they like.
For many, the Backyard Ultra is less of a competition – but rather a mental adventure against themselves.

So if you’ve always wanted to know how far you can really go,
then the Backyard Ultra might be just your race.

 

All runners will set off and start together on Saturday 15 November at 10am.

This is the perfect event to see how far you can go. Tactically there is no point running really fast, this is a really social event with everyone taking a steady pace. So if you’re usually left at the back, this one is for you. Without distance limits, we’re sure some of you will surprise yourself.

 

The Rules

Starting Corral
Measured to fit the entire starting field.
The corral stays the same size throughout the event.
Participants must be in the starting corral at the bell.

Starts
Each starting loop starts precisely one hour after the last.
Warnings must be given three, two and one minute before each start.
All competitors must start at the bell (no late starts).

Loops
Competitors may not leave the course, except for restrooms, until each loop is completed.
No non-competitors on the course. This includes eliminated runners.
No personal aid is permitted during a loop. Common aid stations are allowed.
Each loop must be completed within an hour to be counted. This includes the final lap.
No artificial aids including trekking poles can be used.
Slow runners must allow passes.

Why 6,706 kilometers?

The distance is no coincidence: after 24 hours, it is almost exactly 100 miles (160.9 km).
This means that if you run 24 laps, you already have a classic 100-mile ultramarathon in your legs – but with the Backyard Ultra, this is usually just the beginning.
Many runners manage 40, 50 or even over 100 laps – in other words, more than 700 kilometers in several days.

Winners / Results
The winner is the last person to complete a loop.
All other runners are technically DNF.
Results of all runners in terms of distance will be given.
If no runner can complete one more loop than anybody else, there will be no winner.

 

The rules are as simple as they are merciless

Each lap must be completed in full and within one hour.

Too late at the start? Out immediately.

You may only leave the course after completing a lap.

If you don’t finish a lap on time or don’t show up at the start, you are eliminated.

There is no finish time, no fixed distance and no ranking list – just one winner who runs one more lap than everyone else.

 

And that’s exactly what makes the Backyard Ultra so special: you never know how far you’ll end up running.

About Psyland 25

Psyland 25 is a place build up by Lily Lu and her many helpers over last 12 years around a tattoo shop started by her as her old tattoo self ‘Little Swastika’ with intention to create a space where her artistic intentions could grow really big and outside of normal worlds ideas and beliefs. 

Over years Psyland 25 grew, now being not having only tattoo shop as a part, but also guesthouse for customers, film studio, skatepools and garden fully made to suit Lilys artistical vision and it is still growing and it is rarely seen twice in the same form by visitors as the evolution does never stop. 

Both long time processes of change and short time intense events and rituals take place here. With help of a lot of fans and dedicated friends and supporters we achieve the greatness of never knowing ourselves what future brings and we jump head first to many adventures and challenges to push ourselves further deep to see what the border of life is. 

Tips and Tricks

Tactics and pace: what’s the best way to run?

Running fast doesn’t help here – on the contrary.
The best athletes usually run their laps in 6:15 to 6:45 minutes per kilometer.
This leaves enough time for a 15 to 20-minute break to eat, stretch or simply rest briefly.
A pace that is too fast leads to exhaustion, a pace that is too slow prevents recovery – the right balance is crucial.

Another key factor is the “pit stop” between laps:
Eating, drinking, changing clothes, sleeping – everything must be perfectly timed, because every minute counts.

 

Equipment for the Backyard Ultra

The right equipment can make the difference between winning and losing.
Here’s an overview of what you typically need:

Comfortable, interchangeable running shoes (many runners use several pairs)

Running clothes for changing temperatures – the race can last day and night

Headlamp for night runs

Tent or pavilion as a retreat between laps

Food and drink for energy and recovery

Watch or timer, to always keep an eye on when the next start is coming up

Many participants also rely on supporters or friends to help with the organization between laps – but this is only permitted outside the course.

 

How do you train for a Backyard Ultra?

There is no “magic formula” for training.
Many runners practice with shorter intervals per hour to get used to the rhythm.
It is important to train both endurance and mental strength:

Long runs with regular breaks simulate the format.

Sleep deprivation training helps to keep up the nightly laps.

Mental training (e.g. visualization, meditation) can help. Visualization, meditation) can help you stay calm during difficult phases.

In the end, it’s not so much your running pace that counts – but your stamina.