THE PROVITAL BACKYARD ULTRA ARRIVES IN LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA

El Confital will host the third edition of the event on 15 May 2027, opening a new chapter after its first two editions in Ingenio

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will host the PROVITAL Backyard Ultra – Gran Canaria for the first time. The third edition of the event will take place on Saturday, 15 May 2027, from 9:00 a.m. at El Confital, one of the most iconic natural areas in the island’s capital.

The move to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria marks another important step in the growth of a project that, in just two editions, has carved out its own place within the endurance-running scene in the Canary Islands and now enters a new stage with even greater ambitions.

El Confital will become the new Backyard territory, with the Atlantic Ocean, the volcanic landscape of La Isleta and the city itself providing the backdrop for a competition whose format breaks away from the traditional concept of racing.

The event, which continues to have PROVITAL as its main sponsor, will also have the backing of the Government of the Canary Islands, through the Vice-Ministry for Physical Activity and Sports, and the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Municipal Sports Institute (IMD), together with institutions, companies and partner organisations that continue to support the growth of the project.

In a Backyard Ultra, participants must complete a 6.706-kilometre loop within a maximum of 60 minutes. At the start of every new hour, those still in the race must return to the starting corral to begin another loop. In the Ultra category there is no predetermined finishing distance: the race continues for as long as runners are able to keep returning to the start line.

“Bringing the event to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria represents a very important step for us. We wanted the third edition to have a setting with a strong identity of its own, and El Confital brings together many of the elements that represent Gran Canaria: the Atlantic, nature, volcanic landscapes, sport and the city, all in one place. We believe this could be a very special edition,” says the organisers of the PROVITAL Backyard Ultra – Gran Canaria state.

FROM INGENIO TO LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA

This new chapter comes after two editions held in Ingenio, a municipality that will always remain closely linked to the birth and growth of the PROVITAL Backyard Ultra – Gran Canaria.

The organisation wishes to acknowledge the support received during those first years and the important role played by Ingenio in helping to establish the project.

“Ingenio is part of our history. This project began there and it was there that we were given the opportunity to help it grow. We are deeply grateful to the municipality and to everyone who made those first two editions possible.”

The 2026 edition attracted 245 registered participants, with 227 taking the start, in an event marked by extremely high temperatures. Gran Canaria runner Jonatan Florido completed 25 loops and 167.5 kilometres, becoming the Último Puntal of the edition.

The third edition will also arrive with Bronze Ticket Race status, further strengthening the Gran Canaria event’s connection with the international Backyard Ultra movement.

FOUR WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THE BACKYARD

The 2027 edition will once again feature the ULTRA, CHALLENGE, FUN RUN and INCLUSIVE categories.

On 15 May at 9:00 a.m., ULTRA, CHALLENGE and FUN RUN will share the same starting line. The FUN RUN will consist of four loops, approximately 26.8 kilometres; the CHALLENGE will feature seven loops and 46.9 kilometres; while the ULTRA will preserve the original essence of the format, with no limit on the number of loops.

The INCLUSIVE category will have its own format, will be non-competitive and will also have no limit on the number of loops, allowing each participant to take on the challenge according to their own abilities, under the motto:

“Your pace. Your challenge. Your laps.”

A NEW CHARITABLE COMMITMENT FOR 2027

The PROVITAL Backyard Ultra – Gran Canaria has included a charitable dimension as part of its identity since its earliest editions. In 2027, that commitment will continue alongside the Pequeño Valiente Association, which will be the organisation linked to the charitable initiative of this third edition.

The organisers want to continue using the event as a platform to raise awareness of social causes and bring together the collective efforts of runners, volunteers, sponsors and spectators in support of initiatives that go far beyond sport.

Because some challenges go far beyond the starting line.

El Confital is already waiting for the sound of the bell.