THE RACE
RULES
The rules are simple - whoever runs the most loops wins
Participants run a designated 4.167 mile loop, every hour, on the hour, until only one runner is left.
Runners must be in the starting corral on the hour or declared forfeit.
A maximum of two support crew per participant will be allowed; the support village will be found next to the corral.
Once a loop has started, runners are not allowed to deviate from the course (except to use the bathroom) or permitted outside aid until they have finished the loop or withdrawn. Food or drink can be consumed during a loop but it must be carried from the start corral or provided by another runner. As this is a zero impact event, runners must also carry any litter / empty bottles with them to the finish line for proper disposal.
The person who runs one more full 'yard' (loop) than the next participant is declared the winner.
All other runners are declared DNF, but many will have achieved their own milestones or completed a specific milestone (see below)
RACE DETAILS
Start Line
The starting corral will be on the field outside Sunjammers, next to Clearwater Beach, Cooper's Island
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Bathrooms will be available at the start / finish area.
Support crew
Participants may bring their own support crew to provide aid between loops (note that support crew are not allowed on the course and may not provide aid once a loop has started). Support crews are limited to a maximum of 2 people per competitor.
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This is a no-frills event. Chairs, shelter and food for competitors will not be provided by the organisers. However, We have partnered with Sunjammers who will provide a limited range of food and refreshment options for purchase at preferential pricing for our event from 08:30 until 16:30 on 2nd December. We will be providing runners with drink tickets for use on that day. After Sunjammers closes, we will have some refreshments available for those runners who finish after closing time.
Medical
There will be medical support courtesy of St John's Ambulance at the start / finish corral, but this is limited to emergency support only. Please come prepared to provide your own support for minor injuries like blisters.
Hydration
Water will be available at the start corral. Participants should bring anything else they wish to drink with them to leave in the support area.
Merchandise
Each runner making the start line will receive a small goody bag. Please note that this will not include event t-shirts.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Day Loop - Click map for interactive view
Challenging yet ever changing, the Day Loop follows trails and beaches. The trail is not technical, but is sandy, rocky and has some tree roots. Perfect for helping you to pay attention to where you put your feet!
Remember to take in the views of the beaches and the Atlantic Ocean, and if you are lucky enough to make it to dawn, then the first loop of the 2nd day should reward you with a spectacular sunrise.
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It is a privilege for our event to have permission to transit Coopers Island Reserve so please strictly observe the protocol of carrying everything you take in out with you again. There are a couple of trash cans in the park. If you inadvertently drop anything or see others drop anything, please collect and dispose of it appropriately.
Night Loop - Click map for interactive view
THE NIGHT LOOP WILL START JUST BEFORE SUNSET AT 5PM AND WILL BE THE ROUTE USED UNTIL THE FIRST DAY LOOP OF DAY 2 (IF REQUIRED)
DAY 2 DAY LOOPS WILL START AT 7AM [= 14 NIGHT LOOPS TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT!]
Even pathways and open, quiet roads makes the Night Loop manageable. A gentle hill mid-way provides a modicum of interest to keep the mind and body engaged. There is a steeper but short hill near to the Airport Control Tower where you will reach the highest point of our course with views (all be it at night) of Castle Harbour and St. George’s Harbour.
Event Recap
2025
Florin Teleman ran for 21 hours and 87.5 miles to outlast Phil Woollins and a strong group of first-time competitors to win the 2025 edition of Run Bermuda’s Backyard, sponsored by Monument Re.
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For Teleman, victory was particularly sweet after he completed 27 hours in last year’s World Team Championships before ultimately succumbing to two-time Bermuda national champion Jason Williams.
Several hours before that, the early laps of the event – which sees participants run loops of 4.167 miles every hour on the hour - were a celebration of new milestones, the PB bell sounding loud and often. For some, running one or two loops represents a personal distance best. Other popular early(ish) milestones include 4 loops (beyond a half marathon), 7 loops (beyond a marathon), and 8 loops (50km).
112 starters represented a new record turnout for the event and created a carnival atmosphere at the starting / finish area in Southside, St Davids.
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With a host of new athletes looking strong, the equation changed after seven loops, when Williams decided against pursuing his national record of 28 loops, as he is early in his training cycle for the Individual Backyard World Championships in Tennessee in October. There he will get the chance to race against the world’s elite distance runners, including the three Belgians who jointly hold the backyard world record at 110 hours. His withdrawal guaranteed that the event would crown a new champion.
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By the time the night loops began at 6pm on lap 10, the field had winnowed to 18, the highest number who have ever set out for a night loop at the Bermuda event. Now bedecked in head torches and hi-vis jackets, an impressive 13 of those runners reached the 50 mile mark, bringing up 12 hours of running.
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Of those, only Teleman, Woollins, Rose-Anna Hoey, and Michael Evans had previously reached the milestone in this format.
The battle to represent Bermuda in the next World Team Championship is therefore set to be highly competitive, with qualification running from August 2024 to August 2026.
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As night deepened, Katie Vanner notched a new ladies record in the Bermuda Backyard, tapping out at 18 yards and leaving Woollins and Teleman to duel it out for victory.
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After 20 hours, and over 83 miles, Phil could run no more. Florin completed his solo loop (runners may only complete one loop more than the second placed athlete), his 21st, in 45 minutes, just before dawn, to claim the title.