Talus

The Big Dogs Backyard Ultra World Team Championships are just days away, and the world is ready to watch as the world’s best backyard ultrarunners compete in teams to complete the most yards. As always… there can only be one winner. 

The Big Dogs Backyard Ultra World Team Championships, held on 17 October, stages its own official satellite race. Every country starts at the exact same moment worldwide.

This year, 67 countries (with over 1,100 athletes) are taking part, sending their best backyard ultrarunners to compete for the most yards per country. Each country fields a team of up to 15 competitors who work together to gain the most yards and stay in the running. 

A country’s score is the total yards completed by all its runners. If a national team’s 15 runners collectively complete 900 yards, its team score is 900. 

There are zero discarded scores. Runner number 15 matters just as much as runner number one. The country with the highest cumulative total becomes World Team Champion.

The reigning champions to beat are Belgium, who set the record in 2024 with 1,147 yards. Australia were second with 971 yards, and the United States were close behind with 969 yards.

Merijn Geerts, Ivo Steyaert, and Frank Gielen all reached 110 yards (458.33 miles) and finished level. With no runner able to complete a single unassisted loop clear, the Belgian satellite race ended with no last one standing.

“No one is more surprised than I am at where that different race format has gone.” – Lazarus Lake, Founder

Team Recognition

United Kingdom 

Racing their national event at Sherwood Pines in Nottinghamshire (hosted by Rasselbock Running), the UK team will feature many familiar faces, including Women’s record holder Sarah Perry at the 2025 Individual World Championships; Dave Philips, Iain Bethune, Matthew Blackburn, Rob Mallett and Tal Taran. After coming 13th in 2024, they will be gunning for a win this year.

United States

Decorated ultrarunner Harvey Lewis will return to represent the USA, alongside Jon Noll, Last Soul Ultra winner Mark Dowdle, and Scott Snell. Megan Smyth, Jennifer Russo and Stephanie Rosebaugh will also start. 

Australia

After complications following his phenomenal Telethon 165 event, World Record holder Phil Gore will not be participating for Australia this year; however, the Australian team is still fielding some of its best runners, including Jonathan Ash, Dan Camac and Tim Kacprzak. Barry Keem and Mathieu Dube will also be a part of the team. 

Belgium

Many of the 2024 winners will return for this year’s edition, including Ivo Steyaert and Merijn Geerts. They will be joined by Kenneth Vanthuyne, Vandamme Brecht and Kevin Sneyders. 

Canada

Eric Deshaies will represent Canada this year alongside Amanda Nelson, Nick Burmey, Austin Sedgwick, Mark Nendick and Viktoria Brown. 

Germany 

Coming 16th in 2024, Germany will be hoping to score higher in this years world championships. They will be represented by Hendrik Boury, Martin Stiller, Norman Mascher-Aspensjoe, Markus Habermann and Dennis Musche. 

Japan

Japan missed the top three last edition; therefore, 2026 will see some incredible running. Especially with Kazuhiro Kawahata, who ran 106 yards at the Individual World Championships in 2025. Michitaro Mizuno, Minoru Tanaka and Kengo Takahashi will also represent Japan this year. 

New Zealand 

Sam Harvey, who completed 118 laps at the Dead Cow Gully Backyard Ultra, will be joined by Simon McLean, John Bayne, Macee Latimer, Kieran Philip and Jeremy Pelvin as they try to move from 5th to first place this year. 

Each participating country stages its own official satellite race. Every country starts at the exact same moment worldwide. 

Central Daylight Time (UTC−5): 07:00

Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4): 08:00

Universal Time (UTC): 12:00

Central European Summer Time (UTC+2): 14:00

Official and community coverage will stream via the Backyard Ultra Channel on YouTube. Visit Big’s Backyard Ultra for schedule info and links to satellite events.