What is a Backyard Ultra?
The Backyard Ultra format is an elimination race, a last-man-standing event. All runners start together on the hour. In the original Tennessee race, each lap is 4.166 miles long, which adds up to almost exactly 100 miles after 24 hours.
Each runner has 60 minutes per lap and can use the remaining time until the next hourly start to rest, eat, or do whatever they like.
The race continues until only one runner remains to start the next lap and completes it within the time limit. Therefore, there is only one winner; the remaining runners are listed as DNF (Did Not Finish).
In this format, the winner is not necessarily the fastest runner, but the one with the most stamina.
KEEP ON RUNNING! The fastest doesn't have to win!
A silver-ticket race limited to 230 runners.
The ultimate backyard race. It takes place in laps around Lake Olbersdorf near Zittau/Upper Lusatia.
The route
To play the video, a connection to YouTube is established and YouTube's privacy policy applies .
6th O-SEE Backyard Ultra in Zittau
The backyard race of the highest class
A silver ticket race limited to 200 runners. The race consists of laps around Lake Olbersdorf near Zittau/Upper Lusatia.
Running to the limit on July 11th/12th, 2026
On July 11th and 12th, O-SEE Sports eV is once again organizing a top-class backyard race. The race takes place on laps around Lake Olbersdorf near Zittau.
The who's who of backyard runners will gather here for direct qualification for the German Championship in October 2026.
Still undecided? Here's our history.
The course
The route is a 6.7056-kilometer loop with a total elevation gain of 40 meters. You'll run a beautiful circuit on perfect hiking trails around Lake Olbersdorf. The start and finish are at the Westpark Stadium in Zittau/Pethau. Arrows, signs, and barrier tape mark the route. At night, you'll be guided by lights.
The winner
The winner is the runner who completes the final lap within the time limit. All other starters are recorded as DNF (Did Not Finish). The results list includes the distance covered. In case of a tie in the number of laps, the total running time determines the ranking. If no runner completes the final lap within the time limit, there is no winner.
The winner of the O-SEE Backyard Ultra 2026 qualifies directly for the German Championship in October 2026.
The German Champion will then compete in the World Championship in Tennessee, USA, in October 2027. The race is licensed by the DUV (German Ultramarathon Association) and counts towards their rankings.
All results will also be published on Facebook @oseebackyardultra .