In a world-first twist on a classic ultra format, Adelaide is now home to a spectacular and strategically mad challenge: conquer the 8,848m of Mount Everest’s height by running the same punishing loop, on the hour, every hour, for up to 24 hours. The event is designed for all ambitions, offering flexible 3-hour, 6-hour, and 12-hour ascents alongside the full 24-hour mission.
Built by Ultra Series, Backyard Everest flips the script on the established backyard ultra format. The challenge focuses on maximum vertical gain and how long you can maintain the relentless, hour-by-hour elevation schedule. The location for this vertical testing ground is the unforgiving terrain of Black Hill Conservation Park in Athelstone, a location that perfectly captures the brutal beauty of the South Australian landscape.
The mechanics are deceptively simple: runners must complete a single 5.3km loop that features a gut-wrenching 369m of vertical ascent. The catch? You must be back in the starting corral before the next hour begins, or your lap distance doesn’t count. This format eliminates the traditional ‘last man standing’ of a backyard race and replaces it with a hard, uncompromising goal: the summit.
HOW IT WORKS
The whole experience kicks off at the Himalayan themed ‘Base Camp’. Entry onto the course will be governed by a unique chip-token system, ensuring flexibility for those not committed to the full 24 hours.
FLEXIBLE CLIMBERS (3hr, 6hr, 12hr): These runners will receive tokens corresponding to their entry hours. To start a lap, they must present one chip token to the Gatekeeper – their ticket onto the course. They can skip any lap to rest or refuel, and may return later, provided they still have tokens. If they burn through their stack, they can purchase extra tokens during the event to chase a higher summit.
24HR COMMITMENT: Runners tackling the full 24 hours are already committed to every lap and will receive no tokens. There is no negotiating with the Gatekeeper for them!
THE SEVEN SUMMITS
The ultimate goal of Backyard Everest is Mount Everest itself, but the journey to the top is marked by a series of famous, hard-won summits, turning the 24 hour grind into a series of strategic milestones. These seven summits transform the single loop into a global odyssey, providing critical psychological checkpoints.
The third lap sees runners conquer the height of Table Mountain (1,107m). The sixth lap marks the elevation of Australia’s own Mount Kosciuszko (2,214m). These early victories provide essential confidence, but the real work begins immediately after.
The focus then shifts to the next tier of international peaks: Mount Rinjani (3,690m) at lap 10, and the halfway point at lap 12, which secures the height of Mount Whitney (4,428m).
The final push is defined by the heavy hitters. Lap sixteen is the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro (5,904m). This is where the elite separate themselves, knowing they are within striking distance of the final objective. The ultimate challenge before the summit push is Mount Changste (7,749m) at lap 21, a notoriously difficult and rarely climbed peak north of Everest.
Each of these summits is recognised with its own distinct medallion, creating a powerful incentive beyond the clock. The objective of this race is collecting the highest peaks in the world, one brutal lap at a time.
This incredible challenge has already been met with visceral enthusiasm from the community. As one runner put it: “Bloody Hell! What sicko came up with this… also, definitely in.” This sense of brilliance and madness is the fuel for the event.
Backyard Everest provides a true test of endurance, strategy, and personal limits. It offers runners of all ambitions – from those aiming for Table Mountain to those pushing for the final Everest lap – a unique journey to the highest point on Earth, all without leaving the rugged hills of SA.
It’s strategic, stupid, and spectacular in equal measure. It requires precise time management, meticulous fueling, and an absolute commitment to conquering the same stretch of trail, again and again, until you either stand on the metaphorical summit or the hill finally chews you up.
It’s a world-first concept that is set to become the new Australian benchmark for vertical endurance.
Ready to climb higher than you ever thought possible? Find your summit at www.backyardeverest.com.au
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