Euskal Backyard Marathon 2026

If the Ultra modality of the Euskal Backyard Ultra sounds too extreme, the Euskal Backyard Marathon is the perfect entry point to discover this format without facing its most relentless version. Organized by Kukulu Mendi Kluba with the backing of Loiu Town Council, this modality is specifically designed for those who don't know the Backyard Ultra format and want to try it — and test themselves — over a fixed, known number of laps: a maximum of 6, not one more.The format keeps the full essence of the original Backyard concept: a 6.706 km loop that must be completed within a maximum of 60 minutes, with a new start on the hour, every hour. The key difference is that here it's not about holding on indefinitely until only one person remains — it's a race with a fixed ending: after completing the sixth lap, whoever crosses the finish line first wins, in both men's and women's categories, just like in any conventional race. It's the ideal option for those seeking a first multi-hour experience on a demanding mountain course, without the uncertainty and mental wear of not knowing when the race will end.The 2026 edition takes place on Saturday, July 4th at 9:00 am, during daylight, unlike the Ultra modality which starts the night before. The course, identical to the Ultra modality's, runs through the municipality of Loiu — a small town in the Txorierri district, less than 10 km from Bilbao — combining mountain trails (70%) and asphalt (30%), with 180 meters of elevation gain per lap and privileged views of some of Bizkaia's most iconic mountains.As with its sister modality, all services are concentrated at the Life Base, next to the start and finish, at the Zabaloetxe Municipal Frontón: an individual chair for each participant, a table for each registered team, aid that intensifies as the race progresses — from water on the second lap to hot food on the sixth — shower and restroom service, and reserved parking near the start. Registration for 2026 costs €30, with a priority window from January 12th to 16th (offering a 20% discount) reserved for those who took part in the first 2025 edition. The field is capped at 100 bibs, and registration closes on June 22nd, 2026. A perfect way to step into the Backyard universe without giving up the thrill of crossing a finish line with a conventional ranking.