Run Bermuda’s Backyard 2026 invites runners to test their limits on one of the most scenic backyard ultra courses in the world, looping through coastal parkland, trails, and sand at the eastern tip of Bermuda. The 4th edition of Run Bermuda’s Backyard is confirmed for Saturday 21 February 2026 at 9:00 am in St. David’s, Bermuda, and is recognized as an official Backyard Ultra Silver Ticket event. With a mixed loop starting and finishing at Clearwater Beach and passing through Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, this island backyard ultra offers both first‑time backyard runners and seasoned ultra athletes a chance to run 4.167 miles every hour on the hour in a spectacular Atlantic setting.
Key Facts: Date, Place, and Backyard Ultra Format
Confirmed 2026 Race Date and Location
Multiple sources now lock in the details for the 2026 edition:
- The DUV ultra statistics database lists the “4th Run Bermuda’s Backyard” with:
- Date: 21 February 2026
- Start time: 09:00
- Location: St. David’s, Bermuda
- Duration: 20 hours (recorded event duration in 2025, used as a placeholder; the race continues until there is one runner left).
- Ahotu’s race listing describes Run Bermuda’s Backyard in Bermuda on 21 February 2026 (Saturday), with registration hosted on RunSignup.
- The RunSignup event page for Run Bermuda’s Backyard confirms:
- Price: US$50
- Time: 9:00 am AST
- Registration open to ages 16+, and online registration closing February 17, 2026 at 11:59 pm AST.
- The official event site, Bermuda Backyard Ultra, explains that the race is held at Clearwater Beach and Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve and refers to this combined trail and coastal area as “Bermuda’s beautiful backyard”.
Backyard Ultra Format in Bermuda
Bermuda Backyard Ultra describes the format this way:
- Runners complete a 4.166667‑mile loop (6.706 km) in under one hour, starting on the hour, every hour, until only one runner remains.
- It is “not a test of speed or strength” but “a simple test of the pure will to win,” quoting Backyard Ultra founder Lazarus Lake.
- “Entrants are not compelled to run a marathon or ultramarathon. Bermuda Backyard welcomes those who want to run 1 or more ‘yards’,” making it accessible to runners who want to test a few loops as well as those chasing high mileage.
Run Bermuda’s Backyard 2026 follows the official Backyard Ultra rules, with:
- Only one winner – the last runner to complete a solo yard after all others have stopped.
- Every other finisher classified as a DNF, regardless of distance, in keeping with Backyard tradition.
Silver Ticket Status and World Championship Pathway
Following the success of its inaugural 2022 event, Run Bermuda’s Backyard has been recognized as a Silver Ticket Event by the global Backyard organization that runs Big’s Backyard Ultra and the World Team Championships.
The official site explains that:
- The winner of Run Bermuda’s Backyard 2025 and 2026 (if they are a Bermuda resident) will automatically qualify for the Bermuda team for the next Backyard Ultra World Team Championships in October 2026.
- Bermuda will need 15 team members to compete at the World Team Championships, and Run Bermuda’s Backyard is a key qualifying route for local runners.
For international runners, this means:
- Run Bermuda’s Backyard 2026 is part of the recognized Silver Ticket ecosystem.
- A strong performance can boost their Backyard profile, and if they relocate to or hold residency, it can factor into national‑team selection.
Course: Clearwater Beach, Cooper’s Island, and Mixed Terrain
The event’s “Why Run Bermuda’s Backyard?” section outlines the character of the loop:
- The course showcases a variety of terrain and some of Bermuda’s most stunning coastal views, starting and finishing at Clearwater Beach and taking in Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve.
- Runners cover a mix of road, sand, and trail, giving each lap a different feel from typical single‑surface loops.
- Separate day and night loops add variety and are designed to maximize safety, using more technical trail and sand during daylight and safer, more predictable surfaces after dark.
Clearwater Beach and Cooper’s Island sit on the eastern end of St. David’s, with:
- Quiet, shallow bays and views across Castle Harbour and the Atlantic.
- Former US base roads repurposed as park paths and access roads.
- Natural coastal scrub, small hills, and open sandy stretches.
This makes Run Bermuda’s Backyard 2026 both visually spectacular and tactically interesting, as runners must manage pace and footing across multiple surfaces while watching the clock each hour.
Who Can Enter and What It Costs
Entry Requirements and Cap
RunSignup lists key entry details for 2026:
- Price: US$50 per entrant.
- Open to ages 16 and over, making it accessible to both younger and veteran endurance runners.
- Registration closes February 17, 2026 at 11:59 pm AST, a few days before race day.
- The event shows a remaining capacity (for example “140 spots left” in the current snapshot), implying a field cap to keep loops and aid areas manageable.
What You Get
While the RunSignup excerpt is brief, the Bermuda Backyard site and social posts suggest that the entry includes:
- Participation in a fully marked, official Backyard Ultra with timing and lap tracking.
- Access to race HQ at Clearwater Beach with aid, toilets, and space to set up personal tents or chairs.
- A community atmosphere with local and visiting runners sharing the start corral every hour.
Additional merchandise or finisher items may be offered and are usually detailed in pre‑race communications.
How Many Laps Should You Aim For?
Bermuda Backyard Ultra emphasizes that:
- “Backyard is not a test of speed or strength… it is a simple test of the pure will to win,” and that running a single loop or a handful of loops is still a valid goal.
- Runners are invited to “set your own goal”, whether that is:
- One yard (4.167 miles).
- A marathon‑plus milestone at 7 loops (just under 30 miles).
- An ultra benchmark at 12 or more loops.
The DUV entry for the 4th Run Bermuda’s Backyard lists a 20‑hour duration for the 2025 edition, indicating that the winner went at least 20 loops (over 83 miles), with other runners dropping earlier as their personal goals were met. In 2024 and 2025, social recaps highlight individual milestones, national‑record attempts, and the emerging strength of Bermudian ultrarunners as they push towards competitive international standards.
Travel Tips: Turning Run Bermuda’s Backyard into an Island Ultra Holiday
Getting to St. David’s and Clearwater Beach
- Fly to L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA), which sits on the eastern end of Bermuda.
- From the airport, Clearwater Beach and Cooper’s Island are just a short taxi ride away across St. David’s Island.
If you choose to stay elsewhere on the island:
- From Hamilton or the central parishes, expect a 25–35 minute taxi or car ride to Clearwater Beach.
- From south‑shore hotels in Paget or Warwick, plan for a similar travel time across the island.
Where to Stay
Good base options for race week:
- Near St. George’s and St. David’s:
- Guesthouses, small hotels, or vacation rentals give you easier access to the start/finish and quieter east‑end roads for shake‑out runs.
- Hamilton or south shore:
- Ideal if you want more restaurant and nightlife options, with a commute to the start line on race morning and between loops only if you are not camping on site.
Because Run Bermuda’s Backyard involves repeated hourly starts, many runners will set up a personal camp area near the start/finish with chair, gear boxes, and nutrition, staying on site rather than leaving between loops.
What to Pack for a Backyard Ultra on an Island
- Running gear:
- At least two or three changes of shoes and socks (sand and trail can be abrasive and damp).
- Light, breathable clothing for daytime heat and extra layers for the cooler night loops.
- Nutrition:
- Portable foods you know sit well: gels, bars, real‑food options, plus electrolytes suitable for warm Atlantic weather.
- Camp setup:
- A small tent or pop‑up shelter.
- Headlamp and spare batteries for night loops.
- Chair, foam mat, and light blanket.
The February climate in Bermuda is mild compared to summer but can still feel warm during the day; hydration and sun protection matter, especially in the early laps.
Why Run Bermuda’s Backyard 2026 Should Be on Your Ultra Calendar
Run Bermuda’s Backyard 2026 marries a hardcore ultra format with a location that feels like a holiday postcard. You will lap through coastal forest, along quiet roads, and over beach approaches, with the Atlantic visible on multiple sections of the loop. You will share the start corral every hour with a small but determined field, see the same faces evolve from fresh and chatty to focused and gritty, and feel that unique Backyard blend of camaraderie and competition.
If you already love backyard ultras, this Silver Ticket event adds a beautiful island chapter to your resume and, for Bermudian residents, offers a direct path into the national team for the Backyard Ultra World Team Championships in October 2026. If you are new to the format, the welcoming attitude of the organizers makes it a perfect place to try one or several “yards” in a supportive environment.
Mark Saturday 21 February 2026 at 9:00 am in your training plan. Reserve your spot on RunSignup, book flights to Bermuda, and plan a few extra days to explore beaches, Railway Trail segments, Ferry Reach Park, and the pastel lanes of St. George’s. Then step up to the corral on Clearwater Beach, listen for the countdown on the hour, and start running Bermuda’s backyard, one loop at a time.
Verified Information at glance
Event Category: Backyard ultra / Endurance running event / Trail and road loop race
Event Name: Run Bermuda’s Backyard – 4th Edition (2026)
Island / Location: Clearwater Beach and Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, St. David’s Island, Bermuda
Confirmed 2026 Date & Time:
- DUV ultra statistics: “4th Run Bermuda’s Backyard – Date: 21.02.2026 09:00 – St. David’s, Bermuda”.
- Ahotu listing: Run Bermuda’s Backyard, 21 February 2026 (Saturday), with registration via RunSignup.
- RunSignup event page: Run Bermuda’s Backyard – Time: 9:00 am AST, registration open to ages 16+, registration closing February 17, 2026 at 11:59 pm AST, Price: US$50.
Race Format (Backyard Ultra):
- Official site: “Backyard is not a test of speed or strength… it is a simple test of the pure will to win. 4.166667 miles in under an hour… Keep stepping up to the line until you are the only one”.
- Runners complete 4.167‑mile loops every hour on the hour, continuing until only one runner completes a solo yard; all others receive a DNF in true Backyard Ultra style.
- “Entrants are not compelled to run a marathon or ultramarathon. Bermuda Backyard welcomes those who want to run 1 or more ‘yards’”.
Course & Terrain:
- “A mixed route showcases a variety of terrain and some of Bermuda’s most stunning views. Starting and finishing at Clearwater Beach and taking in Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, run road, sand and trail. Separate day and night loops add variety and ensure participant safety”.
Silver Ticket & World Team Qualification:
- “Following the success of our inaugural event in 2022 Run Bermuda’s Backyard has been recognised by and designated a Silver Ticket Event by Backyard Organisation who created the Backyard concept and run Big’s Backyard and the World Team Championships”.
- “The winner of Run Bermuda's Backyard 2025 and 2026 editions (if they are a Bermuda resident) will automatically qualify for the Bermuda team for the next Team World Championships to be held in October 2026. We will need 15 team members to compete”.
Entry & Capacity:
- RunSignup snapshot: “Run Bermuda's Backyard. Price: $50. Time: 9:00AM AST. 140 spots left. Registration ends February 17, 2026 at 11:59pm AST. Open to ages 16+”.
Local Context & Running in Bermuda:
- GreatRuns notes Bermuda’s best running areas include Railway Trail sections, Ferry Reach Park, St. George’s roads, Hog Bay Park, Botanical Gardens, the Arboretum, and South Shore Park, placing Clearwater and Cooper’s Island within one of the island’s top off‑road running zones.
