Brandberg Backyard Ultra returns to Uis

The eagerly anticipated RMB Brandberg Backyard Ultra (BBU) is back for its third annual instalment, set to take place this weekend from Friday 2 to Monday 5 August at the Brandberg Rest Camp in Uis, Erongo Region.

This year, all starting places have sold out, showcasing the event's growing popularity among the long-distance running community.

The standard Backyard Ultra format is followed, where runners have to complete a loop of 6,706 km within every hour for consecutive hours, starting on the top of the hour, for as long as they can.

Once a runner can’t complete the loop within an hour or misses the start of the next loop, their race ends. The last single runner to complete an entire loop in the given hour wins the race, and the race will end. The event has no predetermined cut-off or end time. As long as there are runners on the course, the race continues.

The loop route starts and ends at Brandberg Rest Camp and heads out into the Tsiseb Conservancy on jeep track, so roughly 90% of each loop is on gravel. There will be a day route during daylight hours, and a night route on a different course for the night loops. A strong headlamp is required with sufficient batteries for the night loops.



Elite runners in line-up

The BBU will feature a full lineup of very talented long-distance runners, all vying for the title of last person standing. Notable participants include:

• André Ross: BBU overall winner of 2022 and 2023 and overall course record holder.

• Milton Kimbini: Runner-up of 2023.

• Kirsty Brits: BBU Female winner of 2022 and 2023 and female course record holder.

• Pamela Vurayai: Top Namibian female runner who recently completed the five-day, 250 km self-supported Racing the Planet Namib Race.

• Other notable ultra-athletes include Hannes Smit, Johan Bronkhorst, Tobias Verwey, Corne Verwey, PC Visser, Jaco van den Berg, Harmen Potgieter, Hennie Lacock, Winnie Mukupuki, Achim Herma, Christo Horn, Elmarie Adriaanse, Naude Dreyer and Katja Dreyer.

This impressive roster of elite runners is sure to make the 2024 BBU an exciting and competitive event.



World Championships Qualification

The top-8 finishers at the BBU will automatically qualify for the 15-person Namibian team that will compete in the Backyard Ultra World Championships Namibian satellite competition, set to take place in Swakopmund in October 2024. This prestigious event will see Namibia's top long-distance runners compete against teams from 52 other countries in real time.



Auction for Namibian Conservation Causes

Following the race, an online auction will be held to raise funds for Namibian conservation efforts.

The auction, supported by generous sponsors, will feature a range of luxury Namibian accommodation packages and other exciting items. This initiative is part of the Namibia Ultra Trails’ REWILD campaign, continuing the tradition of supporting vital environmental non-profit organizations in Namibia. Beneficiaries of the auction are: Save the Rhino Trust Namibia, Ocean Conservation Namibia, Desert Lion Conservation, Skeleton Coast Brown Hyaena Project, and the Pangolin Conservation and Research Project.

The online auction to support Namibian conservation causes will follow during the week after the event. All participants welcome.

The organisers extend their deepest gratitude to RMB Namibia, the presenting partner of the Brandberg Backyard Ultra. The supporting contributions by other wonderful sponsors are instrumental in making this event possible.

“Join us in Uis for an incredible weekend of running, camaraderie, and support for vital conservation efforts. For more information, visit our website (https://namibiaultratrails.com),” organisers said.