BBUisBack

After a stellar inaugural Brandberg Backyard Ultra(BBU) in 2022 in NamibiatheorganisersRianaandNicoScholtzfromNamibiaUltraTrails in partnership with Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Namibia will host it againon29JulyinUisNamibia.

Lastyear'sAndréRoss, the 50-year-old Swakopmunder, completed 20 laps (134 km) and was crowned last person standing after Frans Amakali (41) conceded by 19 laps. Kirsty Brits (42) was thelastladytoclockout after she completed 8 laps (54 km) A backyardultraisaform of ultramarathon race where competitors have one hour to run a loop of 6,706 km, starting a new loop on top of the hour, every hour When each lap is completed, the re- mainingtimewithinthe hour can be used to rest and recover The loop distancethatisruneach hour is set at 6,706 meters, which was calculated by dividing 100 miles by 24 hours.

Race Director Riana Scholtz said that they are doing it again, and this time they are bucklingupforthelong haul Our top ultra runners are returning to Uis with a vengeance, now with some experience and hindsight and they are bringing challengers Scholtz said, “Namibia joined the ranks with its first affiliated backyard ultra, bringing the tally of countries with affiliated races to 72 with over 400 races. The Brandberg Backyard Ultra (BBU) and is now considered a Silver Ticket event, which could affordthewinnerofthis year'sBBUaspotinthe Namibian team to enter the World Championships in the US in 2024. We expect sensationalresultsfromthe number and calibre of runners that have alreadyenteredthe2023 event. As such, more than10entrantsrecently completed the Comrades Marathon (90 km ultra) recently, while another handful competedin100milers(160 km), 100 K events and multiday events. To say thatweareexcitedabout what is to unfold at the event is a complete understatement.”

The male side has an exciting lineup of top runners who will all be gunning for gold at the 2023 Brandberg Backyard Ultra. The winner and“assist”ofthe2022 BBU, Andre Ross and Frans Amakali, will both return to battle it out,aswellascloserunners up Johan Bronkhorst and Harmen Potgieter In addition, wehave37-year-oldLes Trollope, former South African National short distance champion and silver medal stand top50 finisher at the 2023 TwoOceansUltramarathoner, as well as PC

Visser, ultra runner and currently training for the UTCT 100 miler, with Buks Gouws, who has completed several solo multiday-runs morethan100kmeach. On the female side we will be watching veteran ultrarunner and Comrades bronze medalist Kirsty Britz, whowillbereturningto not only to defend her title as last woman standingbuttocompete for outright first place this year She will be challenged by the speedy, highly talented Comrades silver-medallist Risa Dreyer and accomplished ultrarunner Liezl Swanepoel, both BBU returnees Marietjie de Chavonnes Vrugt, recently crowned second femaleattheUltraTrail Cappadocia, a 120 km trail run in Turkey, will beliningupforherfirst BBUandissuretobring her A game to the challenge.

The winner of the Brandberg Backyard

Ultrawillreceiveacash prize of N$5 000

Should the distance complete exceed 100km, the prize will increasetoamountN$8 000 in total, and in the grand event if the total distance should exceed 100miles(160km),the winner will walk away withNS10000. Furthermore, there are many spot prizes that will be handed out to best funny-dressed runners and best supporters.

BBU being a silver ticket event, runners who manage to run 24 loops (24 hours) will also make it too the finalists' list for a spot in the 2024 world championshipsatBig's Backyard Ultra, the original event, in TennesseeUSA.