What Is a Backyard Ultra? Lazarus Lake’s Sadistic Creation Explained
The Brutal World of the Backyard Ultra: If you’re picturing a casual jog in someone’s backyard, think again. This is the hunger games of ultra-running, a last-person-standing race dreamt up by Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell, the mastermind behind the infamous Barkley Marathons.
It’s a format that’s as simple as it is sadistic: run a 6.706 km loop every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains. I’ve supported the New Zealand Backyard Ultra team as a physio, and I can tell you, this race is a brutal test of grit that’s taking the running world by storm.
Let’s dive into what makes the Backyard Ultra Lazarus Lake’s most twisted creation yet.
It’s a format that’s as simple as it is sadistic: run a 6.706 km loop every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains. I’ve supported the New Zealand Backyard Ultra team as a physio, and I can tell you, this race is a brutal test of grit that’s taking the running world by storm.
Let’s dive into what makes the Backyard Ultra Lazarus Lake’s most twisted creation yet.
Image Credit: Backyard Ultra YouTube ChannelThe Rules: How a Backyard Ultra Works
The Backyard Ultra format is deceptively straightforward.
Runners must complete a 6.706 km (4.167 mi) loop every hour, on the hour.
That’s 100 miles in 24 hours if you keep going without a break. Miss a loop or fail to start on time, and you’re out.
The last runner standing wins. Everyone else gets a DNF (did not finish).
Laz launched the first event in 2011 on his Tennessee farm, calling it Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra after his pitbull, Big. Since then, it’s grown into a global phenomenon, with over 400 events across 70 countries.
The Backyard Ultra format is deceptively straightforward.
Runners must complete a 6.706 km (4.167 mi) loop every hour, on the hour.
That’s 100 miles in 24 hours if you keep going without a break. Miss a loop or fail to start on time, and you’re out.
The last runner standing wins. Everyone else gets a DNF (did not finish).
Laz launched the first event in 2011 on his Tennessee farm, calling it Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra after his pitbull, Big. Since then, it’s grown into a global phenomenon, with over 400 events across 70 countries.
Why It’s So Sadistic
Laz designed the Backyard Ultra to strip away excuses. No navigation challenges or tricky terrain here, just pure endurance and mental toughness. He says the hardest part isn’t the running; it’s getting out of your chair to start the next loop. Sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and unpredictable weather turn this race into a grueling mix of camaraderie and carnage.
Runners push each other to the brink, loop after loop, until only one remains standing.
A History of Insane Records
The Backyard Ultra has seen some mind-blowing feats and the records don't stand for long as the competition and number of competitors rises quickly.
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2019: Katie Wright became the first woman to win a Backyard Ultra, covering 201 km.
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2020: Courtney Dauwalter set a female record with 68 loops, totaling 456.3 km.
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2022: Belgians Merijn Geerts and Ivo Steyaert hit 101 loops, 677.3 km.
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2023: Australia’s Phil Gore ran 102 loops, 684 km, with New Zealand’s Sam Harvey assisting at 101 loops.
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Later in 2023, Harvey Lewis from the USA smashed it with 108 loops, 724.2 km, at the Backyard Ultra World Champs.
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In 2025, Łukasz Wróbel from Poland set a new world record in Belgium with 116 loops, an unbelievable 777.9 km.
These records show what’s possible when you push past every limit.
Why Backyard Ultras Are a Global Sensation
Backyard Ultras aren’t about speed; they’re about persistence.
It’s a format that tests who can keep going when their body screams quit. That raw challenge resonates with runners worldwide.
From Tennessee to New Zealand, this race has become a movement, drawing athletes who want to see how far they can go.
Ready to take on Lazarus Lake’s sadistic creation? You can search races via Laz's Backyard Ultra website.
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