One bell.
The whole world.
Every hour, on the hour, all phones ring at the same moment. Then everyone runs – 6.706 km (4.167 mi) from their own front door. Back before the next bell, and you’re still in the race. Last runner standing wins.
Now free on the App Store · for iPhone
Simple.
And merciless.
The backyard format: 6.706 km (4.167 mi) every hour – 24 hours add up to 100 miles. Except you don’t have to travel. Your start line is your front door.
Set your base
Front door, park bench, street corner – anywhere in the world. You start and finish every loop here.
Bell – go!
On the hour, every phone rings in the same second. You run 6.706 km on your loop.
Back before the bell
The rest of the hour is your break: eat, drink, change socks. Then the bell rings again.
Late means out
There’s no finish line. The winner is whoever completes a yard that nobody else can.
Your phone is
your timing chip.
Survive the Loop measures, counts, rings and checks every yard automatically. All you have to do is run.
Check in.
Then: the bell.
From 30 minutes before the first bell, you confirm that you’re standing at your base. The app checks by GPS that you’re really there. Three minutes before, the whistles start – then the bell rings, on every phone at once.
- Set and lock your base
- Whistles at 3, 2 and 1 minute
- Cowbell on the hour – even with your phone locked
One glance.
All clear.
Time left, kilometers, pace and buffer – right on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island. Your phone stays in your pocket and keeps measuring.
- Live Activity on the Lock Screen
- “Back at ~10:47 · 12 min buffer”
- Keeps measuring, even without a signal
Every dot
a person.
The whole race as a clock. Every runner moves around the dial with their distance, with the hand chasing behind. Whoever is too late fades away. Once ten are left, it turns into the final – with names.
- Live clock face with every runner
- Country ranking: who still has the most runners in the race?
- Final and duel view
Strangers
cheer you on.
After every bell, lights go out on the world map. Spectators tap 👏 – and you hear applause in your headphones. Only emojis and preset phrases: friendly, no moderation needed.
- World map, only roughly at city level
- “231 people are cheering you on”
- Live page for everyone – no app, no account
Whatever you need
is waiting.
Up to five people support you. They see where you are and when you’ll be back. Out on the loop, you tap what you need – “Dry socks,” “Broth” – and it’s waiting at your base.
- Only your crew sees your location
- Requests with a single tap
- Alert if you stop moving or need help
No prize money.
Just legend.
The winner goes into the Hall of Fame – forever. Everyone else earns badges: First bell, Half marathon, Ultra, 100 km, 100 miles.
- Winner and assist in the Hall of Fame
- Badges for every distance
- Result card to share
GPS comes up short?
Doesn’t matter.
On winding paths, GPS almost always records a few percent too little. That’s why you plan your loop once at 6.706 km – measured along the map’s footpaths. There’s a checkpoint every 200 m. Pass them all and you’ve completed the yard. Period.
The app automatically checks for shortcuts, bikes and cars. No race director, no judgment calls – the same for everyone.
Sat, January 16
Get
the app.
Survive the Loop is here – free on the App Store for iPhone. Get the app, register for Race 001, set your base and run your test yard.
Get it on the App StoreNo iPhone? Sign up – we’ll let you know about Race 001 and as soon as Survive the Loop is available for Android. No ads, no spam. Unsubscribe with one click.
Good to know.
Where do I get the app?
On the App Store – free for iPhone: Get Survive the Loop. In German, the app is called Stundenschlag – same app, same race. Then you set your base, plan your loop and run a test yard – there’s plenty of time to practice before the first bell on January 16.
Do I have to be an ultrarunner?
No. Run as many yards as you can. After just seven yards (46.9 km) you’re past the marathon distance – and an ultrarunner.
How fast do I have to be?
You have 60 minutes for 6.706 km (4.167 mi) – just under 9 minutes per kilometer, or about 14:24 per mile. Brisk walking and easy jogging are enough. The faster you are, the longer your break.
Where do I run?
Wherever you like, anywhere in the world – on foot, outdoors, from your base. You plan your loop once in the app at 6.706 km and run it every hour.
What if my GPS measures short?
That’s what the GPS shield is for: your loop is planned on the map at 6.706 km, with a checkpoint every 200 m. Pass the checkpoints in the right order and you’ve completed the yard – even if your GPS only records 6.5 km.
What if I have no signal?
Keep running. GPS works without a cell signal. The app saves everything and sends it as soon as you’re back in range.
Does the race go through the night?
Yes – and in January it gets dark and cold early, at least north of the equator. Headlamp, reflector, warm clothes for the breaks and ideally a well-lit night loop. Follow the traffic rules.
What about my battery?
Your phone is your timing chip. Charge it from a power bank during your breaks. The app warns you and your crew when the battery runs low. Cold drains batteries faster.
Who checks that I’m really running?
The app – automatically and the same for everyone: if you go faster than 25 km/h (15.5 mph) for a while, sit in a car or on a bike, take too few steps for the distance or report a fake location, you’re out – wheels don’t take steps. If your stride length suddenly stops matching you, the yard gets flagged. There’s no race director.
Who wins?
Whoever completes a yard that nobody else can. The second-to-last runner gets the honorary title “assist.” If all the last runners drop out in the same yard, there’s no winner.
Is there prize money?
No – and it doesn’t cost anything either. There’s fame: the Hall of Fame, badges and a result card to share.
I have an Android phone.
At launch, Survive the Loop is only available for iPhone. Sign up anyway – we’ll let you know as soon as there’s an Android version.
Can family and friends watch?
Yes. The live page shows the race to everyone – no app, no account. Up to five people from your crew can also see where you are right now.
Who can take part?
Anyone 18 or older, from any country. Taking part is voluntary and at your own risk – you decide for yourself whether you’re fit enough. The app is no substitute for emergency services.
How can I reach you?
Send us an email. The address is in our legal notice (Impressum, in German) – and in the app under Profile.