Australian ultrarunner wins Big’s Backyard Ultra after 114 hours of running
Phil Gore threw down a 37‑minute final yard (6.70 km) after logging more than 750 kilometres on his legs, outlasting Belgium's Ivo Steyaert
Dead Cow Gully
After more than 750 kilometres and 114 hours of running, the world record holder in the backyard ultrarunning format, Australia’s Phil Gore, was crowned the winner of the Big’s Backyard Ultra World Championship on Thursday morning.
Gore outlasted Belgium’s Ivo Steyaert on the 114th 6.70-km lap in Bell Buckle, Tenn., to set an event record for the most yards completed (surpassing the previous mark of 108). Gore proved on his final lap that he still had some speed in his legs, finishing his 114th loop in 37 minutes (5:30/km pace) out of the allotted one-hour time limit.
What an absolute legend!!! Phil Gore WINS the BIGS and finished the last lap… after 475 MILES and 114 HOURS with a 37 min split (9 min mile pace) unbelievable feat of human endurance!!! Bravo Phil 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/zAFJSFNaya
— Graeme B (@LapChallenge) October 23, 2025
The backyard ultra, created by Gary Cantrell (also known as Laz Lake), requires participants to run a 6.7056 km loop every hour on the hour until only one person remains standing. It’s a race of both physical and mental endurance, as the clock doesn’t stop—if you can’t finish the loop within the hour, you’re out.
The 39-year-old from Western Australia holds the world record of 119 laps (796 kilometres) in the backyard ultra format, which he set earlier this year at the Dead Cow Gully event.
Now that Gore is the world champion and world record holder, he told Australia’s ABC News that he might retire from running backyard ultras and start searching for new challenges. Basketball legend Michael Jordan did the same thing when he retired from the NBA to pursue professional baseball after winning three straight NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls from 1991 to 1993. Gore’s quote screams greatness.
Women’s record goes down in Bell Buckle
Britain’s Sarah Perry has delivered a performance for the record books at the Big’s Backyard Ultra World Championship, Tenn., completing 95 laps—approximately 637 kilometres before choosing not to begin her 96th yard (loop) due to back pain. American runner Meg Eckert crossed 92 laps (about 617 km) before failing to start loop 93 on time. Both women shattered the previous women’s record for the backyard ultra, which was 87 yards.
Canada’s lone contender
Nova Scotia’s Lee Alonzo Murphy stood out as Canada’s sole athlete competing this year in the field. Having secured his place through a strong national backyard ultra performance, he entered the event carrying both national representation and personal ambition. Murphy accomplished a stunning 74 yards and 496 km, a personal best, before returning to the corral after starting his 75th lap.
