The race
How the hourly format works, when each category starts, the rules on course and the kit you must carry.
The format
Ultra5K is an hourglass race on a 5 km loop. Each lap has a 60-minute cap. At the top of every hour a bell rings and your category starts its next lap together. Your category sets how many laps you run.
Start on the bell
Be inside the start pen when the bell rings. Late arrivals cannot start the lap.
Finish inside the hour
Cross the lap mat before the next bell. A lap that runs past 60 minutes ends your race.
Rest, then repeat
Whatever time is left in the hour is yours to rest and refuel at the race village.
Categories
Three distances on the same loop. Each category starts at its own hour. The 40K finishes at midnight and the 50K at 1 am.
| Category | Laps | First bell | Last lap starts | Finish by | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25K | 5 × 5 km | Sat 5:00 pm | 9:00 pm | 10:00 pm | 18+, a finished 10K in the previous 12 months |
| 40K | 8 × 5 km | Sat 4:00 pm | Sat 11:00 pm | Sat 12:00 midnight | 18+, a finished half marathon (21.1 km) in the previous 12 months |
| 50K | 10 × 5 km | Sat 3:00 pm | Sun 12:00 am | Sun 1:00 am | 18+, a finished half marathon (21.1 km) in the previous 12 months |
Start times are provisional and will be confirmed in the race guide. You will be asked for a finish certificate or result link during registration.
Race-day schedule
Times are provisional. The final schedule is published in the race guide in December 2026.
Friday 5 February
- Bib and timing-chip collection opens at the race venue
- Bib collection closes for the day
Saturday 6 February
- Bib collection reopens (closes 1:30 pm)
- 50K race briefing at the start pen
- 50K first bell
- 40K race briefing
- 40K first bell
- 25K race briefing
- 25K first bell
- Sunset. Headlamps on for every lap from here.
- 25K finish cut-off
- 40K finish cut-off
Sunday 7 February
- 50K finish cut-off
- Awards for all three categories at the race village
Rules
Short and strict. The full rulebook is in the race guide.
The bell
- Every lap starts from the start pen at the top of the hour. You must be inside the pen when the bell rings.
- You must cross the lap mat within 60 minutes. If you do not, your race ends and you are recorded as a non-finisher with the laps you completed.
- You may not start a lap early or run part of a lap again.
On course
- Stay on the marked route. Cutting the course means disqualification.
- Wear your bib on the front, visible, for every lap.
- No pacers on course. Crew may help you only inside the crew zone at the race village.
- Some sections stay open to local traffic. Keep left and follow marshals.
- If you use headphones, keep one ear free and the volume low.
- The medical team can stop any runner. Their decision is final.
The island
- This is a cup-free race. Carry your own cup or bottle.
- Littering anywhere on the island means disqualification.
- You are running through people's neighbourhoods. Be courteous, especially late at night.
Mandatory kit
Kit is checked at bib collection and may be checked again at the start pen. No kit, no start.
- Headlamp with fresh or spare batteries, worn on every lap that starts at 6 pm or later
- Rear red light or reflective vest, worn after dark
- Reusable cup or bottle (minimum 150 ml)
- Race bib with timing chip, on the front
- Mobile phone, charged, with the race emergency number saved
Also worth bringing
- Insect repellent: mosquitoes are out by the water after dusk
- Electrolytes and your own race food
- A spare pair of socks and a dry T-shirt for the night laps
- Anti-chafe cream
- A folding chair or mat for your rest stops at the race village
Race village and aid
You pass the race village at the start and end of every lap. It is your aid station, rest area and crew zone.
- Water, electrolyte drink, fruit, salt and local snacks every lap
- Hot food and tea after 9 pm
- A water point around halfway on the loop
- Medical tent with doctors and an ambulance on standby
- Toilets and a changing area
- Drop-bag area for your own food and spare kit
- Crew zone, where one support person per runner can help you
Results and awards
Runners who complete every lap of their category are finishers. Each finisher gets a finisher medal and a certificate.
Placings in each category go by total running time, which is the sum of your lap times. Rest time between laps does not count. If two runners have the same total time, the faster final lap ranks higher.
The top three women and top three men in each category receive a special memento, to be revealed closer to race day.
Chip timing records every lap. Lap-by-lap results will be published here after the race.
Downloads
Every document for race day. Each one appears here as it is released.
- Race guide (PDF)
The complete runner handbook
December 2026 - Course map and GPX
Route option A, draft under review
Read now - Medical form and waiver
Completed during registration
At sign-up - Bib collection and venue details
Where to go and what to bring
January 2027 - Results
Lap-by-lap times for every runner
After the race