WINTER BAY Backyard Ultra

The WINTER BAY Backyard Ultra 2026 is the fifth and final edition of this unique endurance race, held in the heart of central Stockholm. Scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026, the event is centered at Liljeholmen, offering an accessible urban trail experience that blends competitive spirit with charitable action. As a "Backyard Ultra," the race follows a last-person-standing format, where participants must complete a 6.7 km loop every hour until only one runner remains to finish a final solo loop.

Race Format and Logistics

The event operates on a strict hourly schedule starting at 14:00 PM. Each loop measures exactly 6.7 kilometers, which, if completed 24 times, totals 100 miles in a day. The "Loop Area" at Trekantsparken serves as the start and finish line, located just 100 meters from the Liljeholmen subway station. Participants have access to a fully loaded aid station featuring water, sports drinks, and various snacks. Registration includes a unique finisher's medal, a sponsored goodie bag, and race photos, with 20% of all entry fees going directly to the #Run4Diabetes initiative.

Regional and Community Context

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the most populous urban area in the Nordic countries, with a municipal population of approximately 988,000 residents and over 2.4 million in the metropolitan area. The city is renowned for its "beauty on water" geography, built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges. Liljeholmen, where the race begins, is a vibrant district that has transitioned from an industrial zone to a popular residential and commercial hub, characterized by its excellent transit links and proximity to the scenic Lake Trekanten.

The demographic landscape of Stockholm is highly international. According to recent 2023 statistics from Statistics Sweden (SCB), approximately 26.5% of the city's population is of foreign background (born abroad or born in Sweden to two foreign-born parents). The largest foreign-born groups in the city originate from Finland (4.1%), Iraq (3.2%), and Iran (2.4%). This cultural diversity is reflected in the race's history of winners and participants, who represent a wide variety of nationalities and backgrounds within the global ultra-running community.

Course Description and Competitive History

The course is praised for its variety, taking runners along the southern shore of Lake Trekanten, through the gardens of Vinterviken, and up a steep climb at Örnberget. After a technical descent to Lake Mälaren, the path winds through the residential streets of Gröndal before returning to the park. The race has a history of high-level performance; for example, the inaugural 2022 edition was won by Mai Bui with 41 laps, earning her a "Silver Ticket" for the national team.

As the final edition of the Winter Bay series, the 2026 race carries significant sentimental value for the local running community. Beyond the competition, the event serves as a major fundraising vehicle for the Swedish Child Diabetes Foundation. With over 4,600 euros already raised for the charity initiative, the "running festival" atmosphere encourages participants to test their mental and physical limits while contributing to a cause that supports health and research for children across Sweden.