Big’s Backyard Ultra World Team Championship Set to Begin — image accompanying Marathon Handbook's report. Image accompanying Marathon Handbook’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
On October 17, teams from 74 countries will start the Big’s Backyard Ultra World Team Championship. The event, held every two years, has no set distance or finish line. Runners complete 4.167-mile loops every hour, with leftover time for rest.
Each team consists of 15 runners, and their combined yards determine the national score. The race continues until the last runner stops. Belgium won the first championship in 2020, and the U.S. won in 2022. Belgium reclaimed the title in 2024. Read more culture coverage.
This year, Belgium’s team includes top runners like Ivo Steyaert and Merijn Geerts. The U.S. team features Harvey Lewis and Jon Noll. Australia’s roster does not include the world-record holder, Phil Gore, due to injury. Related: Des Linden Returns to Chicago Marathon for 100-Mile Race Preparation.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about Big’s Backyard Ultra World Team Championship Set to Begin?
Teams from 74 countries will compete in the unique ultra-running event. On October 17, teams from 74 countries will start the Big’s Backyard Ultra World Team Championship. The event, held every two years, has no set distance or finish line. Runners complete 4.167-mile loops every hour, with leftover time for rest.
When did Runner World publish this culture brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 13, 2026. The underlying Marathon Handbook report was dated October 13, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
THE WEEKLY BRIEFING
Start the week a step ahead.
A concise edit of the running stories worth knowing, sent every Monday.
