BMF 2026 — The Ultimate Winter Backyard Battle in Waterville
By Alicja Pilarska · · Race Report
On 3 January 2026, Ireland’s trail running community braved raw Atlantic winter weather to assemble in Waterville, County Kerry for what might just be one of the toughest “backyard” endurance challenges in the country — the Bauers Megabackyard Funrun (BMF).
Designed to test grit as much as fitness, the BMF is far removed from the traditional trail race format. This is a last-person-standing challenge on the iconic 43km Waterville loop, where runners must complete full laps of the course within strict 8-hour time windows. Each new loop begins like clockwork at 08:00, 16:00 and 00:00, and competitors continue — lap after lap — for as long as they can, or until only one remains.
Waterville and the surrounding Kerry Way provide some of Ireland’s most stunning yet unforgiving terrain. Trails traverse exposed coastal ridges, moody uplands, lake vistas and hidden forest tracks — all demanding respect and careful navigation, especially in the unpredictable depths of early January.