Backyard Series Circuit

The Backyard: what is it? 🤔

Backyard here, backyard there—it’s a term people love to use for anything and everything, but what does it really mean?

A simple concept... 🔥

Alright, have we got your full attention? Let’s introduce one of the trendiest race formats right now: Backyards 🔄. This word might not ring a bell, so we’ll break it down for you. Literally, backyard means in English “the backyard,” which refers to the origins of this running format. The creator of the concept, Lazarus Lake, hosted the first edition of its kind in the backyard of his property and therefore gave it that name 🗣️. After that, the concept was adopted in all four corners of the world, and the term stuck. As for how the race works, it’s as simple as the name’s origin (well, sort of): you just have to complete a 6.7 km loop every hour ⏳, for as long as your legs allow you to stay upright. In short, it’s a real lesson in endurance and resilience 🧘.

Photo credit: Backyard Series

... but seriously physical! 💪

The first 6.7 kilometers will probably feel like nothing, just like the next 6.7 kilometers... But don’t be fooled! This is an event that plays out over the long haul. Even if the first laps are mainly a warm-up, you need to be in race mode from the very first strides 🏃. Every bit of effort you save will feel like a real breath of fresh air about forty kilometers later. More than speed or endurance, it’s race management that matters in this kind of event. Since you have one hour to finish each 6.7 km loop, it’s up to you to decide whether you prioritize rest or consistency. You’ll need it in your thighs—and in your head 🧠.

A revamped version: the Backyard Series 🏃‍♀️

In France, a project was born that champions the idea of a format accessible to the general public, allowing you to discover the wonders of the country 🇫🇷. This project is called the Backyard Series and is made up of several events spread throughout the year, from June to December. Forest 🌳, mountains, seaside, or countryside—each edition lets you discover a unique environment through an intense and demanding effort 🥵.

From Toulouse ... 💗

The circuit kicked off in 2025 in Toulouse (or Castanet-Tolosan for the most detail-obsessed runners 🤪). For the occasion, the great Lazarus Lake himself was even there. That says a lot about the organizers’ ambition 😳. The course, which hasn’t changed to this day, has you cover 6.7 km with 23 mD+ of elevation gain per loop. Nothing too brutal in the short term, but a false flat you can be sure you’ll feel after a few laps 📈. For this first stop, the scenery alternates between park, paths, forest singletrack and lakeside sections, in an atmosphere that’s both natural and urban 🍃. In short, a truly trail-style route awaits you on the outskirts of the Pink City 💕. The record to beat? The event record is already up to 38 loops, i.e. a little over 250 km for men, and 28 loops for women 🧍‍♀️. We’re still a long way from the French record, but for an event launched in 2025, that’s already one hell of a performance! 😮‍💨

Photo credit: Backyard Series - Vincent Maynadié

... To Agde 🏖️

And here comes the circuit’s little runner-up 🥈. Just like its counterpart in Toulouse, the event is split into two versions: an Access version limited to 6 loops per person, and a Standard version with no lap limit at all. The last one standing is the winner; everyone else is considered “DNF” (do not finish). The courses of the Backyard Series Agde and the “Backyard Access Agde” take place on the same loop, in the town center of this Occitan municipality. On the menu: stairs, narrow alleyways, historic monuments and an insane atmosphere 🥳. A route that’s close to an urban trail, but the endless version ♾️. So, more into Agde-style monkfish 🐟 or 100% Toulouse cassoulet?

Photo credit: Backyard Series

And to wrap up, we also wanted to share a secret with you 🤫. If you’ve made it to these lines, it means we managed to get you fired up for the circuit and you’ve earned it—so pay close attention: the Backyard Series only started in 2025 and are therefore very recent, but the goal is to multiply events across the whole country. Stay sharp—you might see other courses pop up in Occitanie, in Île-de-France, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, or in many other legendary regions 🫣.