Photo: Finishers (opens in a new tab)Ronda, Málaga
Backyard MGI Ronda
Saturday, 2 October 2027estimated date
Backyard loop (6.7 km)
6.7km D+ 130m
Backyard ultra format
Complete format guide: rules, gear and strategy
Your checklist for Backyard MGI Ronda
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 9 ready
Swipe to see all 10 categories
Swipe to see all 10 categories
GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED 45 mm
Onboard topo maps, unlike the Instinct 3 Solar
Downside: Shorter battery life than the Instinct 3 Solar (no solar charging or MIP display)
Gear
A headlamp is essential if the challenge extends into the night
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Nike Ultrafly
ZoomX foam: exceptional energy return inherited from the Vaporfly
Downside: High price (190 EUR)
Nutrition
Combine gels with solid food: backyard races are won by managing energy well
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Maurten Gel 100
Hydrogel technology: excellent gastric tolerance
Downside: High price compared to other gels
Sun Protection
Reapply sunscreen every few laps during daylight hours
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)ISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+
Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin
Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras
Body Care
Apply anti-chafe balm before starting and check your feet at each transition
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compeed Blister Plasters Medium Duo
Instant pain relief on application
Downside: Medium size may not cover large blisters
Car Rental
Pick up your car in Málaga if you fly in, and combine it with a drive through the Serranía de Ronda
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)DRIVALIA CarCloud Country Plus
Mandatory
Headlamp
Recommended if the challenge extends into the night, fully charged
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Petzl Actik Core
Mandatory
Reusable cup
Needed at aid stations in the transition area
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Salomon Soft Flask 250 ml
High-flow valve: quick sips without hard biting
Downside: Pricier than generic Amazon flasks
Mandatory
Charged mobile phone
Fully charged
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Generic Running Waist Pack with Phone Pocket
Trip logistics
Registration, travel and insurance: what you should have sorted before race day.
Affiliate links: if you buy, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Seasonal kit
Rain and mud at Backyard MGI Ronda: pack this kit
Grippy shoes, rain jacket, gaiters and blister protection for a wet race.
See the full kit : Rain and Mud Trail Running Kit 2026: What to Bring to a Wet RaceMandatory Gear
According to the official race regulations
Headlamp
Recommended if the challenge extends into the night, fully charged
Reusable cup
Needed at aid stations in the transition area
Charged mobile phone
Fully charged
Items tagged “Mandatory” are in the checklist above, with a recommended product.
Race data
Terrain
Mountain
Difficulty
Elite
Distance
1 modalities
Backyard loop (6.7 km)
- Distance
- 6.7 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 130m
- Max Time
- 1h
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard loop (6.7 km) | 6.7 km | D+ 130m | 1h |
Will your watch battery last the ~1 h of Backyard MGI Ronda?Worked out for the longest course (6.7 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchBackyard MGI Ronda requires mandatory gear: get it sorted early
Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.
Swipe to see all 4 comparisons
Historical weather
What to wear at 15 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
15°C – 26°C
Average 20°C
Rain
10%
0.6 mm avg
Wind
17 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
11h
daily average
Gear recommendations
Sun protection essential (11h sunshine, up to 26°C)
Forecast for 2 October
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
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.
360Complete Pack
Backyard MGI Ronda 2026 Registration
RegistrationOrganized by MGI Ronda with coordination from Ronda City Council's Sports Department. 300 spots, registration open until August 30, 2026, with prices increasing in tiers from August 1.
Tips
- •Sign up early: the price rises in tiers starting August 1
- •300 limited spots for the backyard format
Where to stay in Ronda
AccommodationRonda has plenty of hotel options in the historic center, close to the Puente Nuevo and a short distance from the starting pavilion.
Tips
- •Book ahead: October is high tourist season in Ronda
- •Look for lodging near the center to minimize travel between laps
Gear for Backyard MGI Ronda
GearRepeated loops through the Hoya del Tajo and Puerto de la Muela, with night hours if the challenge stretches on.
Tips
- •A headlamp is essential if the challenge extends into the night
- •Shoes with good grip: the same loop repeats many times over mixed terrain
- •Change of clothes for the transition area between laps
Which shoes for Backyard MGI Ronda?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Backyard MGI Ronda?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
Comparison of the best neck gaiters for trail running in 2026: Buff Original, Midweight, Windproof, DryFlx, CoolNet UV+, Thermonet, HANKER and Salomon Merino. Which to pick based on sun, wind, cold or budget.
Best Thermal Base Layer for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
The best thermal base layers for trail running in 2026: Odlo Active Warm Eco, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis, Craft Pro Hypervent, Under Armour ColdGear, Salomon Agile LS Tee and Odlo I-Thermic. Which to pick based on cold, sweat management, merino wool, compression or built-in wind protection.
Best Trail Running Gaiters 2026: 3-Way Comparison
Comparing the 3 best trail running gaiters in 2026: Salomon Trail Gaiters High, Salomon Trail Gaiters Low and TRIWONDER waterproof gaiters. Which to pick by terrain and budget.
Nutrition for Backyard MGI Ronda
NutritionWith no fixed duration, managing energy across the hours is key to holding out for as many laps as possible.
Tips
- •Combine gels with solid food: backyard races are won by managing energy well
- •Use every hour between laps to eat and rehydrate
How to get to Ronda
TransportRonda sits at the heart of the Serranía, connected by road to Málaga, Seville and the Costa del Sol.
Tips
- •About 100 km from Málaga city via the A-357 and A-374
- •Ronda has a train station on the Algeciras-Bobadilla line
Car rental in Ronda
Car RentalUseful for supporters who want to explore the Serranía during the event's long hours.
Tips
- •Pick up your car in Málaga if you fly in, and combine it with a drive through the Serranía de Ronda
Sports insurance for Backyard MGI Ronda
InsuranceValid insurance is required to take the start line.
Tips
- •A mountain federation license or a day insurance policy is mandatory
Sun protection for Backyard MGI Ronda
Sun ProtectionDaytime laps expose runners to the sun during the central hours of the day, especially in the open areas of Puerto de la Muela.
Tips
- •Reapply sunscreen every few laps during daylight hours
Body care for Backyard MGI Ronda
Body CareRepeating the same loop many times increases the risk of chafing and blisters as the hours go by.
Tips
- •Apply anti-chafe balm before starting and check your feet at each transition
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does Backyard MGI Ronda 2026 take place?
- Saturday, October 3, 2026, starting at 7:00 AM from the La Legión 101 km pavilion. The race continues until only one runner remains.
- What is a backyard ultra race?
- A format where runners complete a fixed-distance loop (here 6.7 km with 130 m of elevation gain) every hour on the hour. On top of that, one minute is subtracted from the time limit each hour, so the challenge gets harder as the hours pass. Anyone who doesn't finish in time is eliminated; whoever completes more laps than everyone else wins.
- Where does the course run?
- The loop crosses the Hoya del Tajo and the upper area of Puerto de la Muela, with views of some of Ronda's most iconic landscapes.
- How do I get to Ronda?
- Ronda is well connected via the A-374 and A-397 from Málaga city (about 100 km) and from the Costa del Sol. It also has a train station on the Algeciras-Bobadilla line.
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