The Backyard Ultra is a last person standing Endurance Race.
– Riverhead Backyard ReLaps Ultra describe a Backyard Ultra like this…
A Backyard Ultra is a type of ultramarathon where participants run laps of a set course of 6.706 metres (4.167 miles) and they must finish each loop in less than an hour. The race restarts each hour with all those that finished the previous lap on time. The race is over when only one runner remains to complete a lap. This runner is marked as the winner and only finisher, with all other runners receiving a DNF (Did Not Finish). The strange distance is because the distance for 24 laps is equal to 100 miles.
Lactic Turkey.
Shaun Collins of Lactic Turkey was the good person who bought Backyard to New Zealand, creating the Riverhead Backyard ReLaps Ultra in 2019 – & continues to support the sports growth & the people in it – Thank you Shaun!
You’ll find further backyard information, NZ Backyard results data & a calendar of NZ Backyard Events on the Lactic Turkey Events page, an excellent resource. You’ll also find the ever evolving NZ team list for Bigs Backyard Ultra Team Championship for 2028. Flying Kiwis against the world!
Another way of saying what & how a Backyard Ultra rolls, is described below by ducklings Steve & Chris from The Best Dam Backyard Ultra in Otematata.
A Backyard Ultra is a form of running event where competitors try to consecutively run a loop measuring 6.7km in less than one hour.
Inch Events – Creative ways to suffer.
Each competitor chooses how quickly they run the loop (known as a yard) and when each yard is completed, the remaining time within the hour is typically used to recover before the next yard starts on the hour.
Competitors complete as many yards as they can and the winner is the last person to complete a lap within the allocated hour.
We run the backyard for many reasons.
We run because it’s fun.
We run to socialise with our friends – old & new.
We run to go further than we have ever gone before …
Krayzie Midwinter Backyard
Big’s Backyard in Bell Buckle, Tennessee is where this beautiful sport became.
Listen to Lazarus Lake – Founder of the Backyard format – describe Backyard in this 2023 Find Your Feet Film: Just One More Lap. – filmed in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“When you start a race, one of two things happen: One is you win, or you mentally quit.”
Lazarus Lake
Here you’ll find a calendar for a backyard anywhere in the world – World Rankings & the Global At Large List.
Sam Harvey of Aotearoa New Zealand helped put NZ Backyard on the map – Sam, currently ranked #4 in the world, became Assist for Phil Gore of Australia in 2025 at Dead Cow Gully – both runners performing a momentous feat – Phil pushed the World Record to 119 yards – thanks to Sam’s Assist running 118 Yards or 790.6km in 118 hours.
The World record as of October 2026 stands at 124 yards or 831.5km jointly held by Belgian runners Merijn Geerts and Ivo Steyaert completing this record together at the Bigs World Team Championships.
The current Women’s World Record is 95 yards held by Sarah Perry of the UK – having taken that from Megan Eckert of the USA.
In New Zealand the current National record and held on home turf, is 67 Yards run by Macee Latimer at the World Team Championships 2026 on the River Run Backyard Ultra course in Waipukurau Hawkes Bay. Jane McAlpine previously held the NZ Women’s Record winning that from Julia Chamberlain. All three Women competing for New Zealand in the World Teams Championship 2026.
At the World Team Championships in October 2026, Aotearoa New Zealand placed 8th with 834 combined team yards. For 0.06% of the global population we performed like gems. And beautifully so, our team’s duty of care for each other was exemplary.
“…the backyard format is so different to your point to point race for a number of reasons. One is the social aspect, because the gun doesn’t go off & you’re not rushing to get round, so there’s a lot of time out there to chat to your other runners & get to know each-other.
Fiona Hayvice NZ – Dead Cow Gully 2023.
And really, at the end of the day, it’s a game against yourself. You’re up against yourself & your own mind, so that’s really different to your point to point standard race.”
Fiona is founder of M.A.S.H Backyard Ultra NZ Kāpiti Coast.
Aotearoa New Zealand now has 17 Backyard Ultras you can find yourself in – a list with contact details for ALL the Backyard Ultras in NZ are on our contacts page – You will enjoy your time on the yard wherever you are. 🐾
There’s some mighty fine events just across the ditch too, an opportunity to sign up for an event while you visit. – Here’s a fantastic glimpse into Dead Cow Gully – with this Backyard Ultra Film Breaking Point. – Some super Kiwis make an appearance & took a long run.
For us at Backyard Ultra Wānaka -we’ve found a love of the Backyard format & it’s so beautifully kaleidoscopic, with all the colours & contours. A fun game of science, discovery & movement. – & while it’s not easy, it doesn’t need to hurt either.
Backyard Ultra is for everyone – of every age & ability – there’s a supportive & frun environment waiting for you here.We’ve a lovely yard to travel on in our backyard & we cannot wait to share that with you.
Dear data freaks:
If you’re looking for a deep dive into the stats, a fantastic resource to visit, created by Warren Sergent is BackyardUltra.com.au – You’ll find latest results & National Age Records – choose your nation! This site continues to grow.
For students of the Art of Backyard.
There’s a ton of good content to assist you learn about Backyard & we’re looking forward to loading more.
– to start & make it easy, tune in to the Backyard Ultra Podcast with Patto – On this podcast Patto interviews A LOT of Backyard veterans and asks them ALL the good questions – the detail will keep you entertained & informed. & the tips you glean will be invaluable.
Here’s a recent interview with Patto speaking with Jack Hanley – The Crazy Running Man to get you started. – An interview that has to be in the running for best Australian sports interview surely!