Phil Gore: Stinky. 'Not quite human.' Backyard ultra GOAT

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If there was any doubt going into Big’s Backyard Ultra that Phil Gore was the Greatest of All Time in this format, then over the past six days he erased it with another dominant performance.

Just like he did at Dead Cow Gully, the Western Australian won Big’s - the world championship of backyard ultras - looking like he still had plenty in the tank.

He took the prize by completing his 114th lap of the 6.7k course in Tennessee in 37 minutes, because Belgian Ivo Steyaert couldn’t continue after he and Gore crossed the line together to complete their 113th yard.

It would be an exaggeration to say Gore looked as fresh as a daisy at the end, but he was nowhere near done. We may never know what Gore’s limit is, because he can’t find anyone to go with him.

Kiwi Sam Harvey pushed him to a world record 119 yards at Dead Cow, but it cost Harvey dear. He was only able to complete 24 laps here, suffering from the same Achilles injury that stopped him at Dead Cow.

I must admit, I’ve become entirely fascinated by backyard ultras. I completely understand the format’s not for everyone, but I love the human drama it dishes up at event after event. People pushing themselves way beyond what they thought were their limits - whether that be 10 loops or 100.

But before I go on, first a bit of background in case you’re not across Big’s and backyards more broadly. Backyard ultras are a “last person standing” format. The proposition is that on the hour, every hour, the runners gather in a starting corral and set off to run a 6.7 kilometre (4.16 mile) course.

Runners who don’t complete the course within the hour receive a “did not finish” result. Why that distance? Run 4.16 miles every hour for 24 hours and at the end of the day you’ll have clocked up 100 miles.

It doesn’t sound that taxing does it. Not for the first lap anyway. But it’s not a one-lap race. You have to back up again and again and again. And figure out how and when to eat and sleep and do whatever else you need to do. Not so easy now!

The format was the brainchild of Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell, and it’s called a backyard ultra because the first edition of the race was held on his property in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. That was back in 2011 and since then the format has exploded with races all over the world.

Each loop is called a “yard” because it’s a lap of Laz’s backyard. The only winner is the last person standing. Everyone else gets a DNF, although the second to last person is called “the assist”.

Big’s Backyard Ultra, named after Laz’s dog Big Dog, is now the world championship for the format, and is still held in his backyard. The event takes place every two years. Entry is restricted to national champions and the performers who have clocked the greatest number of loops at officially recognised events.

One such event is Dead Cow Gully, held in the Sunshine Coast hinterland each year. This race has become iconic, largely thanks to the efforts of Gore and Harvey. In 2023 Harvey pushed himself to the limit to help Gore set what was then a new world record of 102 yards.

And this year they reprised that effort, this time clocking 118 and 119 yards to again break the world record.

At Dead Cow Gore blitzed around the course on his 119th and final lap in a bit under 34 minutes - taking him to the brink of 800k for the event. At least here he had the good grace to appear perhaps a little fallible.

He crossed the line, smiling broadly, into the arms of his sobbing wife Gemma, who doubles as the chief of his support crew. “You stink,” she said. Way to keep a guy grounded.

He’s a man of few words, Phil. His triumph was being streamed around the world on YouTube and all Phil was focused on was having a sleep and a shower.

But before he headed off for that, he did give us an indication that it wasn’t quite as easy as he made it look. “There’s been a lot of times throughout this event when I’ve been really confused. Like, I was out running on the road by myself and I was like: ‘How did I get here, what am I doing?’

“It’s definitely been an adventure. And I’m going to be happy to go and get some proper sleep.”

If it couldn’t be Harvey, it was fitting that the assist was a Belgian. The Belgians have taken to backyard ultras like no other nation. Five of the 72 starters were from Belgium and four of them finished in the top 20.

Because Stayaert and Gore finished the 113th lap together with a few minutes to spare, and Stayaert had decided he wasn’t going to start the 114th, the Belgian was able to give the Australian a congratulatory hug before he sent him on his way.

Afterwards he explained why he pulled the pin. “My back is fucked.” That’ll do it. But then he said, “I only remember the pain from the last two laps. All the rest was perfect. All smiles!”

There were also five Australians in the race, and they also performed brilliantly. Dan Camac completed 93 loops, Ryan Crawford 77, James Blanton 75 and Jonathan Ash 56.

The live video stream at Big’s this year was excellent, and it gave us a real flavour of what goes on in the event precinct. Here are a collection of my favourite moments…

The proposal

Picture the scene … Italian Daniele Lissoni has just tried but failed to complete his 74th loop, coming in outside the hour time limit. As he’s comforted by his partner, he tells the camera he gave his all, and has nothing left.

Then he turns to his partner and says, “Come here, I have something to tell you.” At this point, Daniele tried very hard to get down on one knee - easier said than done when you’ve spent three full days running almost non-stop.

Eventually, clinging to his soon to be betrothed’s arm, he manages it. “I’ve been wondering for 15 years when would be the best time for this. I think that…

“I can’t, I can’t,” he cries as he almost topples over. “Excuse me, it hurts so much! I can’t even do the minimum! I love you. Thanks for everything you’ve given me. I can’t live without you. Do you want to marry me?”

Of course she says yes. And, in keeping with the moment, Daniele replies, “Help me to get up please.”

As proposals go, it was unconventional - equal parts awkward and sweet, but I couldn’t help but smile.

Fragrant 105th

At Dead Cow this year, the boys from the Trail Snails podcast kicked off what they hope will become a backyard tradition - the “fragrant fifth”. The concept is simple: on loop 5 of a backyard, you spray or dab on a little Chanel No 5, Lynx Africa or the fragrance of your choice and let it waft around the course.

Gore, demonstrating he and his crew are up for a laugh, took this to a whole new level with the “fragrant 105th”. To mark the occasion, Gore donned a distinctive orange Trail Snails hat and shirt, complete with the “Slow and Steady” motto on the back, doused himself and set off.

We also got an insight at this point into what makes Phil tick. Gemma was asked what makes him so consistent. “I think there’s a bit of robot in him. Possibly. Not quite human.” Superhuman might be closer to the mark.

Speaking of superhuman, two women went past the former women’s world record of 87 loops at Big’s - American Meg Eckert, who set that record, and Brit Sarah Perry.

In the end, Eckert topped out at 93 laps and Perry at 95, smashing her previous PB of 59 loops and in the process becoming the UK all-comers record holder.

There were plenty of close calls across the four-plus days, many of them involving Mexican runner Rudolfo Ramirez. At one point he burst across the line with 20 seconds to spare, grabbed a drink and some food, dumped a cup of water over his head, then headed out for another four miles of punishment.

The cameras also meant we got to see Laz in action, wandering around the race precinct like everyone’s favourite uncle. We saw him ring the bell to start each lap, every time with the jaunty shout of “Happy time!”

We saw him hugging runners who’d set new personal bests (after they’d rung the bell that’s in place at the start/finish line for just this purpose).

We saw stern Laz, reminding support crew it’s against the rules to provide ANY support to runners while they are on course - and that includes running beside them. And we heard him explaining the rationale behind the disqualification of one runner for accepting help.

We also heard many of his exchanges with runners as they DNFed. One early casualty was Paraguay’s Brian Pasmor who pulled the pin after 16 laps. “What happened?” Laz asked. “I was suffering too much,” said Brian. Laz wasn’t having that: “That’s what you’re here for! All of Paraguay will weep tonight.”

On film he appears to measure up to the impression I’ve formed of him - as a charismatic enigma, a creative genius of ultra running, but one with heart of gold.

Upcoming Events

There are way too many events for me to list everything that’s happening around the country, but here is a selection of upcoming races (with a bias towards South East Queensland).

The Running Calendar website is a great source if you want a comprehensive understanding of what’s available around Australia.