Backyard MGI Ronda

Backyard MGI Ronda

Backyard MGI Ronda is an endurance race in backyard ultra format organized by MGI Ronda with coordination from Ronda City Council’s Sports Department. Every October, dozens of runners gather at the La Legión 101 km pavilion to face a challenge with no fixed distance or duration: completing a 6.7 km loop every hour on the hour until only one finisher remains standing.

A loop through the Hoya del Tajo and Puerto de la Muela

The 6.7 km, 130 m elevation gain course crosses the Hoya del Tajo and the upper area of Puerto de la Muela, showcasing some of Ronda’s most iconic landscapes. Each runner must show up at the start line at the beginning of every hour on the dot; on top of that, one minute is subtracted from the available time each hour, so the challenge gets harder as the day goes on. Anyone who doesn’t arrive in time or decides to withdraw is eliminated; whoever completes more laps than the rest of the field wins.

A challenge decided in the final hours

Unlike a conventional ultra, in the backyard format the key isn’t speed but managing physical and mental fatigue over many consecutive hours on the same terrain. The prizes — €250 in cash for the top male and female finisher, and €100 in sports gear for those completing the most laps — reflect the pure endurance nature of the event, where only the strongest stay in the race during the final hours.

Beyond the race in Ronda

Ronda, with its iconic Puente Nuevo and the impressive Tajo gorge, is one of the most visited destinations in the Serranía that shares its name, in the interior of Málaga province. After competing — or supporting someone who does for hours on end — take the chance to explore the historic center, the Plaza de Toros or the region’s wineries. Check out other mountain races in the Andalusia region or plan your visit with the race planner.