Heavy Metal Ultra (HMU) 2026 Guidelines

1. Heavy Metal Ultra (HMU) is Backyard Ultra format ultramarathon, held on  a marked 6.706 km loop. Participants must complete the loop within 1 hour. There is no limit to the number of loops. All individuals aged 18 and older (born on or before August 10, 2008) who have paid the participation fee may take part.

2. Start time: August 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the parking lot near the start of Keila Health Trails (Ehitajate tee 13, Keila). The start area is marked on the ground behind the start gate. All participants must be inside this area at the exact start time (on the hour). Late arrivals cannot start.

3. Start signals: 3 minutes before: 3 whistles, 2 minutes before: music starts, 1 minute before: 1 whistle, full hour: horn signal

4. The finish gate for the first loop closes at 11:00 AM. Each subsequent loop’s finish gate closes on the hour. Participants who finish the loop before the gate closes and are in the start area at the next start time may begin the next loop.

5. A new start occurs every full hour. Only those in the start area at the start time may begin the next loop.

6. Participants who do not finish the loop before the hour or do not start the next loop before the gate closes are considered DNF (Did Not Finish). The winner is the last person to complete a full loop alone and according to the rules.

7. There are two competition categories: Men and Women. Each category has one winner – the last participant to complete a loop alone and according to the rules. If the last participants quit together or the final loop is not completed alone, no winner is declared. No second or third places are awarded. There are no separate rankings based on age, mental ability, sexual orientation, music taste, or similar. All participants receive a diploma. Those who complete at least 7 loops (46.9 km) receive a special “DNF medal.”

8. The race center offers drinks and food throughout the event: sports drinks, water, cola, mineral water, tea, coffee, bananas, raisins, nuts, potato chips, chocolate, bread, salt, watermelon. Hot food is available starting at 3:00 PM (after 5 hours).

9. Race materials are distributed at the race center:

   • Friday, August 7, 2026: 17:00–20:00

   • Race day morning: 8:00–9:45

10. Timing is done with a chip attached to the inside of the race bib. The bib must be visible on the front of the body when passing the start and finish gates.

11. Participation fees:

•  Jan 2 – Apr 30, 2026: €93

• May 1 – Aug 6, 2026: €124

 

11. Registration opens on Jan 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM.

• After completing the registration form, participants receive payment instructions via email.

• Payment must be made within 3 days. If not received, the spot is forfeited and given to the next person on the waiting list.

• Participant limit: 100 people. Additional registrants are placed on a waiting list.

Note: If you need an invoice for payment, notify the organizers before filling out the form by emailing info@haanjamatkad.ee with invoice details (company info if applicable). Invoices are not issued retroactively.

Participants may include one song request (preferably heavy rock or similar) in the registration form. These songs will be used to create the start playlist, played in registration order starting from the third song. The first song is chosen by the organizers, and the second by the previous year’s winner.

Important Rules:

• After starting, returning to the race center is not allowed.

• Everything you carry through the start gate must be carried until the finish.

• External assistance outside the race center is prohibited, including pacing by runners or cyclists.

• Headlamps are mandatory during dark hours.

• HMU is conducted according to this guide.

• Unaddressed issues will be resolved by the judges and organizers.

• Each participant competes at their own risk.

• Ignorance of the rules does not exempt participants from obligations.

• Parking is available next to the race center. Participants may set up tents for resting.

• Organizers may cancel or stop the race due to force majeure or natural disasters.

• Do not litter the course; respect nature.

• By signing the start protocol, participants agree to follow all rules.

• Participation fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to other events. If a participant withdraws due to health reasons, 50% of the fee may be transferred to the next year with a medical certificate submitted by August 5, 2026.

• Participation may be transferred to another person until August 5, 2026. To do so, email info@heavymetalultra.com with the new participant’s name and contact details.

Before the start and after finishing, photos will be taken of all participants with event props. These will be sent to the email provided in the registration form.

Organizers:

• Olle Rõuk, tel: +372 514 8553, email: info@heavymetalultra.com

• Trailrun.ee, Ivar Tupp, tel: +372 511 4179, email: info@haanjamatkad.ee