Distance runners are again preparing to test themselves to the limit in the second Bermuda Backyard Ultra.

A total of 110 competitors, up from the last year, will take on the island’s only ultra-marathon distance event, which features runners embarking on a loop of 4.167 miles from Clearwater Beach, Southside, starting at 9am on Saturday.

All runners start together on the hour, every hour and continue until they fail to complete a loop, known as a yard, in the allotted time or they voluntarily withdraw.

The time between laps allows runners to eat, drink, and recover before they set off together on the next loop.

Most participants aim to set their own personal best number of yards or distance, while seasoned ultra-runners will vie to be the coveted last person standing.

This year’s runners will also have the extra incentive of attempting to earn a spot on Bermuda’s team for next year’s World Team Championships.

Last year’s winner Fabri Alvera, who completed 25 loops, more than 104 miles, qualifies automatically as will this year’s champion. The remaining 13 spots will be filled on the best performances across the qualifying window, which spans the 2022 and 2023 events.

In addition to the individual competition, this year also features the launch of the corporate team event, in which teams of four from Monument Re, Athene Re, Lancashire Insurance, Renaissance Re, and Aspen Re compete to see which team can achieve the highest aggregate number of laps.

Last year’s Run Bermuda’s Backyard in 2022 exceeded the race organisers’ expectations, raising $10,000 for Raleigh Bermuda’s youth life skills programmes.

The event, sponsored by Monument Re, will again be raising funds for Raleigh, with all entry fees donated to the charity.

“We had excellent feedback from our inaugural event and are delighted that registrations have surged by 80 per cent this year as word of mouth has spread,” the organisers said in a statement.

“The support highlights the appetite for approachable, friendly, long-distance running events that let people test their limits in a supportive environment. It also allows us to raise a meaningful amount to support the excellent work of Raleigh Bermuda.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Andy McComb, the race co-ordinator, who also spoke of the exciting incentive of trying to qualify for the national team.

“It’s really exciting to see how supportive Bermuda’s running community is of this relatively new event and format and also of Raleigh Bermuda,” he said.

“The prospect of qualification for the World Team Championships will add an extra layer of interest to this year’s event as it extends into the evening and perhaps again a second day.

“I’m equally looking forward to watching people of all abilities set new personal bests, something we are planning to recognise on the day of the event as those runners cross the line.

“A big thank you to all our sponsors, contributors, and volunteers who make this event possible.”

For additional information visit the event website