Backyard Ultra comes to Coimbatore: A test of endurance and strategy

The Coimbatore Backyard Ultra debuts March 22, challenging runners to complete a 6.7 km loop hourly until only one remains

The endurance-testing Backyard Ultra format is coming to Coimbatore — and to South India — for the first time. The inaugural Coimbatore Backyard Ultra is organised by Prem SB and Nithin SS, the founders of the health and fitness startup, Battle Ground. It will take place on March 22, inside the Kumaraguru Institutions campus. With 58 participants, including ultra runners from across South India, this event aims to introduce the region’s running community to a format that pushes both physical and mental limits.

The Backyard Ultra is unlike any other race. Participants must complete a 6.7-kilometre loop within an hour. The race continues until only one runner remains. Those who fail to complete a loop within the allotted time are eliminated. In this format, every other runner is classified as ‘Did Not Finish’ (DNF), making endurance, strategy, and mental strength just as crucial as physical fitness.

For beginners and half-marathoners, there is the Backyard 4 category, where runners complete four loops, covering 27 kilometres.

“This format allows runners to compete against themselves,” says Prem. “Unlike marathons, which have a fixed distance, or stadium runs, which have a time limit, here, you can push your limits in a controlled environment. Even those hesitant at first realise they can run longer than they thought possible.”

Prem and Nithin, both 2019 graduates of Kumaraguru College of Technology, come from athletic backgrounds — Prem played basketball, and Nithin played kho kho. After college, career demands pulled them away from sports. However, they took up running two years ago, reigniting their competitive spirit.

Their personal experiences as ultra runners led to the creation of the Coimbatore Backyard Ultra. “Backyard Ultras have been happening in India since 2019, but only in the north,” says Prem. “We ran the Mumbai Backyard Ultra last year — Nithin for 15 hours and I for four hours — and realised how costly these events were. Travel, accommodation, and entry fees alone could amount to ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per person.”

Determined to make ultra running accessible to local runners, they chose Coimbatore for its weather and affordability. “Compared to Mumbai, Gurgaon, or Chennai, Coimbatore’s summer is more forgiving,” Prem explains. “The race route inside Kumaraguru campus has 60–70% green cover, providing ample shade. Minimal elevation makes it easier on the legs, and since it’s within a closed campus, runners don’t have to deal with traffic.”