The race is over. Thank you! 🎉

Sun, 27 September 2026 · Allmend Zollikon

Kids Backyard Ultra 🏃‍♀️🏃

Thank you and see you next year! 🎉

The Kids Backyard Ultra 2026 is over. Thank you to every child who ran, to the families who cheered them on and to our volunteers. See you again in September 2027! We'll decide on the exact date soon.

Forest path on the Allmend Zollikon, the kids run course

The latest from Kids Backyard Ultra

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Children running along a shaded gravel path on the Allmend in Zollikon

The Zolliker Zumiker Bote reports on Kids Backyard Ultra

36 children from 11 municipalities ran a combined 536 kilometres. The Zolliker Zumiker Bote has covered the first Kids Backyard Ultra.

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It's this easy 🌟

Don't worry, this is not a tough race. We set off gently, almost like a brisk walk.

1
🌳

One lap on the Allmend

The lap is about 550 metres long and runs across the Allmend Zollikon. You'll manage that easily on foot!

2
🔔

A fresh start every 5 minutes

Every lap begins for everyone at the same time. At the start you have 5 minutes per lap. Over time the limit gets a little shorter, so the race doesn't last forever.

3
😮‍💨

A short break included

Whoever finishes a lap sooner has time until the next start to catch their breath, drink and recover.

4
👏

Stopping is okay

Don't feel like going on? Then you get a big round of applause. Stopping is not losing!

Who keeps going the longest? 🏆

Wide meadow with a few trees in the evening light
  • ⏱️ At the start, 5 minutes per lap is nice and relaxed.
  • 🐢 Only after two hours does it get a little quicker.
  • 👑 Whoever keeps running the longest is crowned the «Last Kid Standing».
  • 🎈 But we celebrate every child, whether 5 laps or 20!

The 2026 edition at a glance 🎒

These details are for the race on 27 September 2026. Details for 2027 will follow.

📍
Where?Allmend Zollikon, picnic area by the well
Zollikon is right next to Zürich on Lake Zürich (Getting there)
🕙
When?Sunday, 27 September 2026, start at 10:00
🎂
For whom?All children aged 3 to 15
🌭
FoodCervelat off the grill, fruit and water
🏅
PrizesA medal for every child, a Conny-Land ticket for the winners
💰
Cost10 francs per child
The Allmend Zollikon, where we run Wide meadows on the Allmend Zollikon View over Zollikon Autumn mood at the Oberes Lindenbänkli

Questions from you and your parents 💬

Is this a kids run or a family fun run?

You, the kids, are at the centre: the Kids Backyard Ultra is a kids run where taking part matters more than winning. It's family-friendly all the same: the laps are short, so parents and children see each other again every few minutes. And for children under 8, a parent may run along as a companion.

I'm not sporty at all. Is this still something for me?

Yes, absolutely! We start at walking pace. You may stop whenever you like. Stopping is not losing, it's completely fine.

So how long do I run for?

That's different for every child. Most run between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Some manage 5 laps, some 20, a few even more than 40. Anything is good!

And if it rains?

Rain is part of a forest run, we'll have fun anyway. Only in really extreme weather like a thunderstorm or ice do we call it off. We decide that on the Friday evening before.

Can my parents come along?

Yes! They can cheer, take photos and help at the grill or at the turnaround. For children under 8, a parent may even run along as a companion.

Do I really get a medal?

Every child gets a medal. And the winning girl and boy – whoever lasts the longest – each win a ticket to Conny-Land.

The Kids Backyard rules 📋

For the older kids and everyone who wants to know exactly how it works.

  1. One lap measures about 550 metres.
  2. The time limit per lap changes from hour to hour:
    • Hours 1 and 2: 5:00 minutes per lap
    • Hour 3: 4:30 minutes per lap
    • Hour 4: 4:00 minutes per lap
    • Hour 5: 3:30 minutes per lap
  3. Every new lap begins exactly when the time limit runs out.
  4. Two short whistles sound 30 seconds before each start, one long whistle 15 seconds before.
  5. All kids start exactly when the bell rings. Whoever doesn't start on time is out.
  6. Every lap must be completed within the given time limit, including the last lap.
  7. The kids may not leave the course until the lap is complete.
  8. No personal assistance is allowed during a lap.
  9. Slower kids must let faster kids pass.
  10. The race ends with the finish of the last completed lap of the last child, but no more than 70 laps.
  11. If two or more kids of the same category make it to 70 laps, a final lap is added after a short break, and the fastest one wins their category.
  12. Anyone caught littering is out (DNF).

See you in September 2027! 👋

We'll decide on the exact date soon and announce it here.

Who's behind it? 👋

Patrice Neff

Patrice Neff

Organiser

Father of two children in Zollikon and a passionate runner.

Ezra

Ezra

Co-organiser

Primary school kid, crazy about football and a budding trail runner. Personal best: 27 km at the Witikon Backyard Rookies.

Zoë

Zoë

Co-organiser

Primary school student and a future chef who will help us stock the buffet. Personal best: 7 km at the Witikon Backyard Rookies.

🙌

Want to help out?

Helpers wanted

An event for so many children only works together. Whether setting up and taking down, at the grill, counting laps or cheering: we're hugely grateful for every helping hand.

I'd love to help! 🙋