Backyard Ultra
The concept of the backyard ultra was dreamed up by iconic race director Lazarus Lake of Tennessee. He’s also known as the founder and Race Director of the Barkley Marathons.
History
In 2012 Laz created Big’s Backyard Ultra as a tribute to his dog, Big, a pitbull he rescued after it showed up on his property half-starved and with gunshot wounds. Big’s Backyard Ultra is still held in Laz’s backyard over 6.7km (4.16mile) of rolling terrain on his rural Tennessee property
International
At last count there are over 69 countries that now hold backyard ultra events and at least 1000 sanctioned events. You can find them all here.
Championship Tickets
Every even numbered year there is a World Team Championship held. The next one is in October 2024 and as a Silver Ticket event, the winner of Pigs Backyard will receive an entry into that.
Every odd numbered year there will be an Individual World Championship held in Tennessee. Winners of each countries Team Championships will receive an entry into that.
Sound confusing? Fair enough, it is; but you can find out more here.
Some Stats
Don’t read this if you get squeamish!
The current record for a Backyard Ultra is held by Phil Gore of Australia.
At the Australian Masters Backyard Ultra he ran over 684 km in 102 hours… just past Blenheim from the Pigs Backyard Ultra race start.
New Zealand currently has 5 affiliated Backyard Ultras. You can read more about them here.
Pigs Backyard Ultra 