Welcome to the 5th Brandberg Backyard Ultra!

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Uis for another unforgettable weekend of running, friendship, conservation and plenty of backyard madness!

Whether you’ve followed every newsletter or this is your first event update, please take a few minutes to read through this important information before travelling to Uis and Brandberg Rest Camp.

Race Schedule

The event takes place on Saturday, 18 July, at Brandberg Rest Camp, Uis.

Friday, 17 July

15:00 – 17:00 | Registration & Race Pack Collection

Brandberg Rest Camp.
Ultra runners intending to run night loops must bring their compulsory night gear (headlamp, spare batteries and reflective gear) for inspection and clearance (you will receive a sticker on your race number).

15:00 onwards | Race Village Setup

The BBU team will allocate gazebo spaces, with preference given to Ultra runners.

18:00 – 20:00 | Pre-Race Welcome Dinner

Pre-booked ticket holders only.
Ticket sales have now closed.

19:30 | Compulsory Race Briefing

Please bring your camping chair.

Saturday, 18 July

07:30 | Runners sign in
Ultra • Challenge • Fun Run

08:00 | Race Start
Ultra • Challenge • Fun Run

Prize Giving
Immediately after the final runner completes their last lap.

Throughout the Day

The Race Village will be buzzing with activities for runners, supporters and families, including:

Sponsor lucky draws with AMAZING prizes throughout the day and night
Kids’ Treasure Hunt around the venue with prizes for every participant
Children’s BB Gun Target Shooting
Food and refreshments
Conservation displays by our three auction beneficiaries
Plenty of backyard cheering, entertainment and good company

Turnaround Cheers

Book your ticket early and catch a ride on the official Cowbell Cruiser—the only permitted vehicle on the course—to the Turnaround Cheers station.

This stands to become one of the most festive parts of the BBU weekend, so come along, ring those cowbells and cheer every runner to another lap!

Don’t forget to bring your:

🛎️ BBU Cowbell Medal
☕ 2026 BBU Commemorative Mug (for your complimentary drink)

Event Auction

Our annual silent auction returns in support of three incredible Namibian conservation organisations.

The online auction opens on Monday, 20 July and will take place on the BBU Auction WhatsApp Group.

The group invitation is HERE, everyone is welcome to bid, and the auction rules will be shared before bidding opens.

View all auction items HERE.

2026 BBU Auction Environmental Conservation Causes

Routes

There will be a Day Route and a Night Route.

Only Ultra runners will complete the Night Route.

Route information is available HERE.

Race Village Resources

The Race Village is designed to keep runners comfortable throughout the event.

Available facilities include:

Drinking water
Electroboost electrolyte drink, kindly sponsored by Deopharma
Hot water for your tea and soup
Complimentary coffee by Two Beards Coffee Roastery (bring your own mug or purchase a BBU commemorative mug)
First aid and emergency medical support
Swimming pool (yes, Uis can still be hot in winter!)
Bathrooms and showers

Please remember:

Bring the race nutrition you’ve trained with.
There is no external electricity available.
Generators are not permitted.
Bring power banks, spare batteries and lighting for your own gazebo.

Race Village Setup

The Race Village is located in the eastern open area of Brandberg Rest Camp and includes the start/finish corral, operations hub and runners’ gazebos.

Please note: This is not the campsite. Sleeping tents may only be erected in the designated camping area.

Please remember:

All Ultra runners should set up a gazebo station (own or shared).
Gazebo spaces will be allocated by the organisers, with priority given to Ultra runners and those expected to run deep into the event.
Runners without gazebos are encouraged to share.
Branded gazebos are welcome, but no additional advertising banners may be displayed without prior approval.
No tents are permitted in the Race Village.
Portable braais are welcome in safe designated areas. Please bring your own wood, as availability cannot be guaranteed.

Runner Responsibilities

Each runner is responsible for bringing:

Sufficient race nutrition for the duration of their event
Their own cup or bottle (no disposable cups will be provided)
Gazebo (or arrange to share one)
Chairs and table
Crew (if applicable)
Lighting for their gazebo
Power banks and spare batteries

Ultra runners must also bring:

Reflective clothing
Headlamp
Spare batteries

These items are compulsory and will be checked during registration and again before the first night loop. No runner will be permitted onto the Night Route without the required safety equipment.

Rules

Official Backyard Ultra rules apply and are available HERE.

Please familiarise yourself with them before race day.

Important Reminder

No assistance may be given to a runner once the cowbell has rung and the loop has started until the runner has completed the entire loop and crossed the finish line.

This includes:

Running alongside a participant
Cycling or pacing
Handing items to a runner
Taking anything from a runner while they are on the course

Failure to comply with these rules will result in disqualification.

One Final Reminder

No dogs are permitted on the trails, in the Race Village or anywhere at Brandberg Rest Camp—no matter how small, friendly or well-behaved.

We’re incredibly excited to welcome you to the 5th Brandberg Backyard Ultra.

Travel safely, settle into your Race Village, enjoy everything the weekend has to offer, and most importantly…

Have an unforgettable BBU!

If you have any questions before the event, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll do our very best to assist. If you have missed the previous newsletters, you can find them all HERE.

See you soon!

The Namibia Ultra Trails Team