backyard ultra

Races

Backyard Ultras Are Nutty—Enormously Popular. Here's Why.

Put on the map by the likes of Courtney Dauwalter and mastermind Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell, backyard ultras have no time cutoff and seemingly no end to their rise in popularity.

People

“I Broke Down Crying.” Team USA Won the Backyard Ultra World Championship By Being Vulnerable.

Down early and struggling, the Americans put aside their pride to pull off a stunning victory over Australia.

Races

“You Could See Something Happen to Them, Like a Spring Flower Waiting Through Winter.” How Two Bored Belgians Broke the Backyard Ultra World Record.

“I felt like the race would go on forever. But it also feels very fragile—when there are only two runners left, there is no room for error,” on-the-ground photographer Jacob Zocherman reports.

People

“A Level of Enthusiasm That’s Immeasurable.” Mark Dowdle Is Built for the Backyard Ultra

The former collegiate football and lacrosse player led Team USA to the win at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championship.

People

I Went on a “Cigarette-Worthy” Train Ride to See Melting Glaciers with Barkley Marathons Mastermind Gary Cantrell…And Maybe Learned How to Save UTMB

Amid the madness of the Chamonix circus, Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell was arguably the most peculiar and perceptive figure to pass through town.

News

Backyard Ultras Are Nutty—Enormously Popular. This is Why.

Put on the map by the likes of Courtney Dauwalter and mastermind Lazarus Lake, backyard ultras have no time cutoff and seemingly no end to their rise in popularity.

Trail Tips

How To Rock A "Last Runner Standing" Event

Here's everything you need to know to train for a Backyard Ultra style event.

Races

Big's Backyard Ultra Gets Bigger and Bigger