The backyard ultra is a race that sees people run 4.16 miles on the hour, every hour until one is left standing.
It is a concept that started in America, created by endurance race designer Lazarus Lake, the same man behind the world-renowned Barkley marathons.
His event – Big’s Backyard Ultra – is the crème de la crème, attracting the best in the game, and requires qualification to compete.
Backyard ultras have continued to pop up on UK soil in recent years, from London to Manchester, Stafford to Scotland. Among those most recently announced is an event in Shropshire.
So what exactly is the appeal of pushing beyond your limits and continuing to run until you physically no longer can?
James Morgan, 45, was the first to buy a ticket to Shropshire’s backyard ultra and has never completed one before.
He began running in 2013 to help with his mental health and has since discovered a love for long-distance running, completing 55 marathons.
The upcoming race, held at the West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury in April 2027, is something he has had his eye on for a while.
“I really like the concept of it, the structure of it – the laps and the last person standing,” he said. “It’s really simple, yet highly challenging.
“When you get into the long distances… it becomes a battle against you, against your brain.”
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