The toughest of the toughest races comes to this years RAK Trail Festival as we introduce the RAK Back Yard Ultra. Runners run a 6.7KM lap every hour on the hour. The winner is the last runner to complete a full lap. So the race continues until one runner is left The course is fairly flat and fast with some fun technical sections.

Join us for a weekend of adventure in a private camp with a swimming pool and accommodation. Check out our gallery. The festival will feature fun activities for families and kids like dodge ball, volleyball, basketball, frisbee games, skateboarding, water sports, star gazing, movie nights with free popcorn and more. There will also be desert drives in classic Land Rovers. You can either enjoy a short ride into the dunes for free on Saturday or book a full on desert safari with a delicious meal in the products section . Book a room for the weekend for the family or come along with a group of friends. For the more adventurous you can book a bed in one of the dorm rooms or a camp spot in the camping zone. Head over to the products page where you can book your place and meals for the weekend and other equipment including mountain bikes, tents, camping beds, etc. Self catering will be available with two BBQ pits and a common open air kitchen area. Please be aware that this facility is operated on a first come first serve basis. You're welcome to bring your own and set up in the designated area for the weekend. Wood and ice can be purchased at the venue. In an aim to reduce our environmental impact we encourage athletes to bring and use their own camelpacks or water bottles. Water stations will be put out on all the race courses with big bottles of water with pumps for refilling and the standard 330ml water bottles. PLEASE USE THE ALLOCATED BINS OUT ON THE RACE COURSES FOR THE WATER BOTTLES. ANY ATHLETE THAT IS SEEN THROWING THEIR PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES, GELS OR ANY OTHER TRASH OUT ANYWHERE EXCEPT TRASH BINS WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED. POLLUTING OUR BEAUTIFUL NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

We couldn’t put on such a great festival if it’s not for our amazing sponsors. Huge thank you to all of them for supporting us as organizers and for supporting you as athletes by creating amazing products and services to help you be a better athlete and to enjoy outdoor adventures more. Please support them. They deserve it!!

ANTA: Sells a variety of sports apparel and merchandise and will be sponsoring various prizes.

https://anta.com/pages/about-anta

https://www.instagram.com/antasportsofficial/

Ultra: Sells a range of caps and outdoor products for ultra and trail running.

https://www.ult-raheadwear.com

https://www.instagram.com/ult_ra.headwear?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA%3D%3D

Aft Gear Garage: Sells a range of outdoor gear and equipment.

https://aftgeargarage.com

https://www.instagram.com/aft.gear.garage/

Flow Space: Offers various services for sports recovery, analysis and preparation.

https://wa.me/message/RWNTSTXOL2H6I1

http://theflowspace.ae

https://www.instagram.com/theflowspace_dxb/?hl=en

PULSE: Sells a range of energy and nutrition recovery products and will be supplying hydration at the water stations and sponsoring prizes for category winners.

https://www.pulseglobalenterprise.com

https://www.instagram.com/fit_by_pulse/

Classic Safari: Does desert safaris in classic Land Rovers with dinner served in the desert. Day and overnight trips available.

https://www.classicsafariuae.com

https://www.instagram.com/classicsafariuae/

• Where do I go for the event?

  Please see the Event Location map on this page. You can use the Google maps pin to get to the location and a video guide from Dubai to the location will be made available closer to the event date. Look out for the parking signs on the main road which will show you where to turn off.

• What are my options for parking?

  There is plenty of free parking space outside the camp.

• By what time should I arrive at the event venue?

  Race Check In opens at 5am on Saturday 7th December. We would recommend you arrive before then to settle in to your room or camping spot if you're joining us for the weekend. Please see the festival schedule above for all the registration times over the weekend.

• Race Pack / Number collection details?

  Race Check In will open at 6PM Friday 6th December at the race venue. Look out for the check in sign boards that will lead you to the check in zone.

• What must I do with my race bib/ number?

  Bibs must be worn on your upper body with the number facing outward. Once finished racing, hand your race bib in at the T Shirt stand and collect your free shirt. Safety pins will be provided in and around the Race Check In area or bring your own race belt.

• What are the start time(s) of the event and the schedule?

  The race starts at 7AM with prize giving taking place at the end.

• When and where do I collect my medal and t-shirt?

  Once you have finished your race you will be given your medal at the finish line and must hand in your race bib/ number at the check in zone to get your -t-shirt.

• What estimated time will the event finish?

  The event should finish at 8pm depending on the pace of the last runners with prize giving taking place at 8:30pm.

• What are the distances and categories?

  The route is a 6.7km loop with open male and female (19 and older).

• Are there GPX files and route maps available for the different races?

  The routes will be finalized closer to the festival dates and the gpx files will be added to this page and also emailed to participants. Route maps can be found in the athletes brief on the downloads section and be available in the race village close to the start/ finish area.

• Will there be support stations? If yes, how many, where, providing what support?

  Water stations will be provided in the Race Village close to the start/ finish and out on course. Water stations out on course will be placed roughly every 1.5km's along the route. We encourage athletes to bring their own camel packs or reusable water bottles as we strive to minimize the use of plastic at the festival. Big water bottles with pumps and small 330ml bottles will be available at all water stations.

• Are there toilets on course and in the camp?

  The camp has toilets in the rooms and toilets in the common area. The organizers will also be bringing in extra portable toilets for festival which will be placed close to the start/ finish area.

• Where can I find the results to the event?

  A QR code banner will be in the Race Village near the start/ finish area which you can scan to get your results.

• Where can I find my photos from the race?

  Photos can be found on your results page by clicking on the CAMERA icon and then doing a bib or selfie search. Photos will be available 48 hours after the race has finished. Individual photos are not included in the race fee nor guaranteed.

• Is there accommodation at the venue?

  Athletes can book one of the chalets or a camping spot for the weekend. Room options include rooms with a King size bed or twin beds for 2 people, rooms with 4 single beds and rooms with 4 bunk beds for 8 people. You can book your preferred accommodation on the products section on this page. Have a look at the gallery images to see what the chalets look like.

• What are the different races for the festival?

  • Back Yard Ultra: Athletes run a 6.7KM route every hour on the hour and continue going until the last runner left running completes a final lap.
  • Night Trail Run: A fast flat 5KM trail run. No headlamp, no racing.
  • 6/12 Hour MTB Challenge: Cyclists will navigate a fast flat 5km route to see who can do the most laps.
  • 15km, 10km, 5km Trail Run
  • 15km & 30KM Desert Run
  • 20km & 40km MTB race

• What is the program for the whole festival?

  FRIDAY
  6:00PM: Race Check In – All Events
  7:00PM: Night Trail Run Starts
  7:30PM: Movie of the night
  8:30PM: Prize Giving
  
  SATURDAY
  5:00AM: 6/12 Hour MTB & Trail Run Race Check In Opens
  6:00AM: 12 Hour MTB Challenge Start
  7:00AM: Back Yard Ultra Starts
  7:30AM: 1km Kiddies Race
  7:40AM: 15km
  7:45AM: 10km
  7:50AM: 5km
  9:15AM: Prize Giving for Trail Run
  9:30AM: Kids & Family Activities Start
  9:30AM: Desert Drives Start
  11:00AM: 6 Hour MTB Challenge Race Check In Opens
  12:15PM: 6 Hour MTB Challenge Start
  6:45PM: Prize Giving for MTB Challenge
  7:30PM: Movie of the night
  
  SUNDAY
  5:30AM: MTB & Desert Run Race Check In Opens
  6:30AM: Kiddies MTB 3KM Race
  6:45AM: 40KM MTB Race
  6:50AM: 20KM MTB Race
  7:15AM: Desert Run 30km
  7:20AM: Desert Run 15km
  9:00AM: Prize Giving
  
  Feel free to stay with us for the rest of the day relaxing around the pool. Enjoy some family activities or cheers on the crazy athletes that might still be running in the Back Yard Ultra race.

• Is food provided at the event?

  Athletes can book breakfast, lunch and dinner tickets on the products page. The meals are buffet style so there will be plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans. For those who want to self cater, BBQ pits will be available with a common open air kitchen area. Please be aware that this area is available on a first come first serve basis. Wood and ice will be available to buy during the weekend at the event. The menu for the weekend is in the athletes brief in the downloads section. ONLY ATHLETES WHO HAVE BOOKED A MEAL WILL BE ALLOWED INTO THE DINING AREA.

• What is the menu for the booked meals?

  Athletes can book breakfast, lunch and dinner tickets on the products page. The menu for the meals will be buffet style with a combination of salads, pasta, a warm meat dish, warm vegetarian dish and fruit. Breakfasts will be cereal, eggs and fruit. Coffee, tea and juice will be provided for all meals. For those who want to self cater, BBQ pits will be available with a common open air kitchen area. Please be aware that this area is available on a first come first serve basis. Wood and ice will be available to buy during the weekend at the event. The menu for the weekend is in the athletes brief in the downloads section. ONLY ATHLETES WHO HAVE BOOKED A MEAL WILL BE ALLOWED INTO THE DINING AREA.

• Is there a pool at the venue?

  The camp has a beautiful big pool for athletes to use free of charged and a life guard will be on duty during the event. Please be aware that the pool may be closed in the evening times.

• Can I rent a mountain bike and camping equipment?

  On the products page is the option to rent a mountain bike, tent and camping bed for the weekend.

• Is there other information I should know about?

  Athletes need to bring their own headlamps, but there will be lights placed out on course to guide athletes with colored flags, sign boards and marshals at key points. We encourage athletes to bring their own camelbacks or reusable bottles as we aim to minimize the use of plastic at the event.

• Refunds and cancellations?

  Once entries close or the event is sold out, no refunds are possible for whatever reason which includes and is not limited to: change in personal circumstances, sickness, travel restrictions, or any circumstances which may prevent you from participating in the event.
  Unclaimed race packs including shirt and medal will be forfeited in full after the start of a respective distance.

• Are there child care facilities and activities?

  A variety of activities for the kids will be arranged during the festival. Anybody requiring child sitting services can contact Jacques at [email protected] with their request. Please state for which day and times this is required. There will be an additional charge for this service.