The Potch Big Backyard Ultra (PBBU) is back, testing runners’ endurance, patience, and ability to survive sleep deprivation. Taking place on 26-27 April 2025 at Lekwena Private Game Reserve, just outside Potchefstroom, this event promises a brutal but entertaining challenge for runners who just don’t know when to quit.
The concept is simple: competitors must complete a 6.706km loop (known as a ‘yard’) every hour on the hour. Runners who fail to finish in time, or are not ready to start the next round, are out. The last person standing wins. The rest get a hearty ‘DNF’ (Did Not Finish) and a lifetime of excuses.
Race Options and Costs
For those who don’t want to push themselves to the absolute limit, there are three race entry options:
Half PBBU (4 yards + 1 extra loop) – R180
Marathon PBBU (7 yards + 1 extra loop) – R280
Full PBBU (unlimited yards until you drop, including a race garment) – R400
Runners will face the harsh reality of this event from 8am onwards, with each loop starting exactly on the hour. It’s a test of endurance, mental toughness, and strategic eating (because stuffing your face between loops is a legit strategy).
The Rules (And Yes, They’re Strict)
Runners must be inside the starting corral before the next yard begins.
The yard must be completed in the direction decided by the Unicorn/Race Director.
Every runner must cross the start/finish line at the beginning and end of each yard.
Each yard starts precisely 60 minutes after the last. No late arrivals, no excuses.
A whistle (or Koedoe horn, if you’re lucky) will signal the start countdown: three, two, and one minute before the next round.
No outside assistance during a yard – no passing snacks, water, or emotional support animals.
No trekking poles, voodoo dolls, or security blankets allowed.
Slower runners must give way to faster runners (no tackling, though – this isn’t rugby).
Once you quit, you must accept the ‘Spanner of Shame’ and announce your failure to the world via the ‘Dis of Disgrace’.
If no one completes more yards than the others, there is no winner. The event is open-ended, meaning it continues until there is only one runner left.
Records and Expectations
The PBBU record currently stands at 33 yards (221.1km), set by Nicky Booyens in April 2024. The South African record sits at 55 yards, while the world record is a jaw-dropping 108 yards (723km)! Will someone at PBBU 2025 take a shot at these insane numbers? Time will tell – literally.
Contact and Registration
For more details or to enter the race, visit the official PBBU website.
Follow their Facebook page for updates.
If you think you have what it takes – or just want to test how long you can run before questioning your life choices – the Potch Big Backyard Ultra awaits. The unicorn approves, but will your legs?
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