1ο MANI BACKYARD ULTRA
8/6/2026
1ο MANI BACKYARD ULTRA
Every Hour. A New Decision.
Official Race Announcement
OFFICIAL RACE GUIDE 2026
The first MANI BACKYARD ULTRA introduces a new ultra-distance event to Mani.
December 12–13, 2026 | Stoupa Cultural Center | Municipality of Western Mani
The Cultural and Athletic Association “Argis,” under the auspices of the Municipality of Western Mani, announces the 1st MANI BACKYARD ULTRA, an ultra-distance race to be held on December 12–13, 2026, in Stoupa, Messinia. The goal of the event is to establish a high-caliber race, consistently adhering to the international Backyard Ultra regulations, respecting the athletes, and promoting Mani as a sports tourism destination.
The Philosophy of the Backyard Ultra
The Backyard Ultra is one of the most unique forms of ultra-distance racing in the world. The duration of the race is determined solely by the participants’ endurance, proper pacing, strategy, and perseverance.
At MANI BACKYARD ULTRA, every lap is a new decision, and every decision is a new start.
Success does not depend solely on physical fitness, but on the runner’s overall ability to effectively manage their pace, nutrition, recovery, and mental clarity both during the loop and while at the aid station.
The event aims to offer an authentic Backyard Ultra experience, faithfully adhering to the event’s international regulations, with the utmost respect for the athletes, the sport, and the values of fair play. At the same time, it will strive to create the conditions so that every runner has the opportunity to discover just how far they can truly go.
Cause at MANI BACKYARD ULTRA, everyone's limit is just the beginning.
Key Race Rules
¬ Each lap is 6,706 meters long.
¬ A new start is given exactly every one (1) hour.
¬ All runners must be at the starting line before the starting signal for each race.
¬ To proceed to the next lap, each runner must complete the previous lap within 60 minutes.
¬ Any runner who does not complete the lap within the allotted time or does not report to the next start on time is disqualified from the remainder of the race and is considered a DNF (Did Not Finish).
¬ No form of external support (food, running alongside, etc.) is permitted along the course. Support from support crews is permitted exclusively within the Race Village area.
¬ The race continues until only one athlete remains, who will successfully complete a final valid lap and be declared the “Last One Standing” and the winner of the race.
¬ The top three women will be awarded as follows: first: “Last One Standing,” the second as “First Assist,” and the third as “Second Assist,” and similarly for the top three men.
¬ The official international rules of the Backyard Ultra take precedence in all cases and are STRICTLY enforced throughout the entire event.
Event Schedule
Friday, December 11, 2026
⦁ 5:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m Pick up race packs from the Race Village
⦁ 8:00 p.m. Race Briefing
Saturday, December 12, 2026
⦁ 8:00–9:30 a.m. Pick up remaining race packs from the Race Village
⦁ 9:30–9:50 a.m. Runner introductions, orientation at the “Mantri” area, and a short technical briefing
⦁ 10:00 a.m. Race Start (1st loop)
Race Briefing
All runners and their support crews are encouraged to attend the technical briefing.
During the briefing, the Backyard Ultra rules, start procedures, disqualification criteria, the operation of the Race Village, and all necessary information for the safe and smooth conduct of the race will be presented in detail.
Clarifications will also be provided, and participants’ questions regarding the rules and the events’ operations will be answered.
Race Village & “The Madri”
The Stoupa Cultural Center will serve as the hub of MANI BACKYARD ULTRA and will host the Race Village event. The starting zone will be set up in the outdoor area of the Cultural Center; this is where each new lap of the race will begin, and it will be known as “The Madri.” The interior will serve as the event’s support center, housing the aid station, the runners’ rest area, and serving as a gathering space for support crews and spectators. “Madri” will be the point where athletes return after each lap and will be required to report there before the start of the next lap.
Start
The race will start on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Stoupa Cultural Center. Three audible signals will be given before each (subsequent) start. Three whistles will signal that there are three minutes remaining until the next start, two whistles will signal that there are two minutes remaining until the next start, and one whistle will indicate that the next lap begins in 60 seconds. All runners must take their positions inside the “Madri.”
Route
Each lap is 6,706 m long. It starts at the Stoupa Cultural Center, follows the bike path, continues to the eastern edge of Agios Nikolaos (Selinitsa), and returns via the same route (round trip). The route is 100% paved, with an elevation gain of approximately 60 m per loop. Headlamps are not required during the night. However, for safety reasons, the organizers recommend that participants wear light-colored or reflective clothing.
Energy stations
The energy station will be open throughout the race at the Race Village. Participants will be provided with water, electrolytes, salt sticks, fresh fruit, savory snacks, sweets, and selected foods to support their racing efforts.
From the third hour of the race until its conclusion, the event will offer food service via live cooking, prepared by a professional chef in collaboration with a nutritionist, with an emphasis on local products from Mani’s culinary tradition.
The goal of the event is to provide high-quality, continuous nutritional support tailored to the specific demands of a Backyard Ultra race.
For this reason, the number of participants will be limited so that the event can offer meaningful, high-quality support to each participant individually, enabling every runner to push past their limits.
Participation Fee
The participation fee is €40. Registration will open in early September and will remain open until the event’s participation limit is reached. Upon registration, runners will be asked to indicate the longest distance they have ever run (e.g., 10 km, marathon distance, 25h Backyard Ultra, etc.) so that the organizers can assess their racing profile and provide targeted support during the race. Anyone who is at least 18 years old is eligible to participate.
Audiovisual Coverage
As part of MANI BACKYARD ULTRA and throughout the race, at “Mantri” and exclusively at this venue, film coverage will be conducted with the aim of creating a documentary that will capture the race conditions, the athletes’ personal journeys, and the atmosphere of this type of sporting event.
At the same time, photographic and audiovisual material will be produced for the event’s communication and promotional needs, as well as to highlight and showcase the ongoing development of MANI BACKYARD ULTRA.
Medical Assistance
Throughout the race, a doctor and an ambulance will be on site to provide medical assistance to the runners.
Contact
For information about the race, please contact:
Bill Kouman
Race Director
+30 697 202 122
Registration Launch
Registration will open in September 2026.
When registration opens, the official MANI BACKYARD ULTRA website will also go live, where interested parties can find all the information and the latest news regarding the race, the schedule, the rules, and the event’s amenities.
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