Following Big’s Backyard this weekend? Check out this new film
"Breaking Point" documents the suffering and mental grit of a backyard ultra in a beautiful way
Photo by:
YouTube/Dead Cow Gully
Some of the best ultrarunners in the world are running lap after lap this weekend at Big’s Backyard Ultra in Bell Buckle, Tenn. If you’re curious about what happens in a backyard ultra, a new documentary by Dead Cow Gully (a backyard ultra in Australia) has everything you’d ever want to know, plus a little pain and suffering.
“Breaking Point: A Dead Cow Gully Documentary” follows current backyard world record holder Phil Gore, the runner who gave him the assist (Sam Harvey), Aussie runner Erchana Murray–Bartlett, who holds the record for running a marathon a day across Australia) and American Harvey Lewis (who holds the current course record at Big’s Backyard), as they run toward a world backyard ultra world record at Dead Cow Gully in Australia.
The backyard ultra format, which can go on for days, requires participants to start one 6.706-km “yard” (loop) every hour on the hour, until all runners but one either voluntarily drop out or fail to complete a loop. (This standard loop distance is specifically designed so that runners can complete 100 miles in 24 hours.) Any time remaining between finishing one yard and starting the next may be spent resting, eating, changing gear, etc., but all runners must start the next yard on time to remain in the race. Once all other competitors are out of the race, the last remaining runner must complete one final lap, making any record attempt a “team” effort as well as an individual one. (Then they are obliged to stop.) The top runners at backyard ultras across the world compete at Big’s Backyard Ultra in October (happening now).
While the film helps viewers understand how a backyard ultra works, it also dives into the personal journeys of the runners, and captures the tension and powerful emotions that arise during long endurance events. Viewers see inside the world of Gore and Harvey, the final two runners: Harvey battles illness toward the end of the race, but shows an astounding level of determination. Gore sets an incredible record of 102 yards, or a jaw-dropping 684 km.
The documentary doesn’t just follow the leaders: we see the challenges and courage of other runners as they run, hour after hour. Everyone has a story. We see an ambulance called for one runner after he passes out upon returning to camp, and the unbelievable struggle runners face as they debate whether to continue each lap.
Big’s Backyard Ultra World Championships start Saturday in Tennessee
Dead Cow Gully Backyard Ultra has a remarkable finish, with Harvey and Gore setting a new world record of 102 laps. The film is a great intro to the backyard scene, and it will leave you wanting more. It’s the perfect pick to tune into during Big’s Backyard Ultra weekend. You’ll feel like you know Harvey and Gore, and can cheer them on as they run “just one more lap” at Big’s.
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