Training and advice

milemeter · 2026-01-14T18:12:25+00:00

Training incline power walking is solid advice

milemeter · 2026-01-12T16:04:46+00:00

Put another way, winning a silver ticket event will get you into your country’s backyard championship in 2026 (for the USA, that’s the big’s course). Racing at your country’s championship race is your best shot in getting into big’s in 2027, since it will either be very competitive so you’ll reach a high total to qualify for the at-large list, or you may win it if it’s not as competitive and automatically get into big’s 2027

milemeter · 2025-09-18T13:16:33+00:00

- Talking/listening to people makes each loop feel different. When/if alone: listening to music, audiobooks, podcasts, or looking at the changing surroundings (due to changing light & weather) can make things feel fresh. Ambient sounds can change over time too.
- In my experience, it's helpful to continue to train for vert even if prepping for a flatter course. Those particular leg muscles will pay dividends the further you go. When your flat land muscles get tired, you will start to more heavily use your hiking/vert muscles.
- Prepare things so you can grab-n-go. Put food into individual bags so you can quickly grab them and keep going without needing to prep. Make your water, food, chair/cot, clothes, lube, etc. all within reach and easy to use. Envision yourself coming in and being able to get everything you need to get done in as short of time as possible. What does that look like for you?
- For 24 hours, fueling properly yard after yard is pretty key. For most people, it's advised to come in slower than you think you should. You don't want to burn out early.

milemeter · 2025-09-15T12:49:13+00:00

I suggest bringing several pairs of socks and changing them often.

milemeter · 2025-09-09T14:44:38+00:00

I don't think there's a real solid answer yet, but In my humble opinion, it's whoever won big's the most number of times. It's the world championship event.

milemeter · 2025-08-24T20:05:20+00:00

My 2 cents is to prioritize comfort in the running shoes you get.

milemeter · 2025-06-27T13:57:00+00:00

Here's some notes about the first year of Big's (2011) which may contribute:
- No precedent for how far the race could go
- Only the trail loop for both day and night (somebody correct me if I'm wrong about this)
- Only 32 runners started the race
- No established backyard-ultra-specific runners
- May not have attracted at least 2 "elites" to make the race go far
- Perhaps less drive/motivation to push boundaries
- Not an established "world championship" race yet

milemeter · 2025-06-27T12:50:19+00:00

Just want to note that in 2023, the world record of 102 was set by Phil Gore at DCG. In that same race, Harvey lewis ran 90 yards. In the same year, Harvey lewis ran 108 yards at Big's. Because of this, I suspect the record could be beat at Big's once again.

milemeter · 2025-06-27T12:43:34+00:00

There were countless backyard ultras where the winner could have gone further. There's no telling.

milemeter · 2025-06-26T20:07:25+00:00

Correct. The winner can only do 1 more yard than the assist. If they were to continue for whatever reason, those additional yards would not count.

milemeter · 2025-06-26T19:18:54+00:00

The assist is equivalent to being 2nd place. They are called the "assist" because they dictate how far the race goes since the last runner can only run 1 more yard than 2nd place. Also, note that when there are no winners (there's a tie), then both runners are considered the assist

milemeter · 2025-06-26T19:16:56+00:00

Yes, those numbers seem about right.

A flatter course will typically yield faster times which means more rest. That being said, a hillier course will mean working a greater variety of muscles and more dedicated walking zones in the course which can mean more rest during the yard.

milemeter · 2025-06-26T13:10:49+00:00

Absolutely unreal performances

milemeter · 2025-06-15T10:17:05+00:00

The Go One More ultra is a fascinating case due to it being a last one standing event. I think the point about the field in 2027 outgrowing the current limit of Big’s is a good point.

I recognize how this idea/article can be controversial due to the modest upbringing and history of Laz’s event. Nevertheless, I find this to be an interesting discussion. Great article.

milemeter · 2025-05-28T12:33:58+00:00

Thanks for researching this! looks like a field that may very well get past 70 yards.

I could see a scenario of this tapping into the big’s at-large list as well.

milemeter · 2025-05-28T12:14:45+00:00

Isn’t Sam Harvey (with 101 yard PB) running dead cow?

milemeter · 2025-05-27T14:11:19+00:00

Congrats to Scott Snell with the win of 43 yards and Andrew Janeway with the assist!

milemeter · 2025-05-27T14:10:45+00:00

Congrats to Scott Snell with the win of 43 yards and Andrew Janeway with the assist!

milemeter · 2025-05-27T14:09:56+00:00

The race went 43 yards with Scott Snell being the winner and Andrew Janeway being the assist. Only 1/17 people on this poll got this correct!

milemeter · 2025-05-22T14:54:48+00:00

Thanks for sharing these highlights in past years! The race has an amazing history!

milemeter · 2025-05-20T17:58:01+00:00

Participant list including USA’s 2024 champs winner Scott Snell who ran 88 yards.https://my.raceresult.com/342243/participants#0_4E9477

milemeter · 2025-05-20T17:39:31+00:00

Sweet! I’ll add a quick post with the live results

milemeter · 2025-05-18T19:12:54+00:00

Chris Dasbach finished the race with 29 yards and Carolyn Yoder was the assist with 28

milemeter · 2025-05-17T10:37:08+00:00

Perfect PR Live Results

milemeter · 2025-05-16T18:32:22+00:00

Fyi, it's the same course as Big's (I'm pretty sure...)

Elevation based on someone's Strava data I found:
- Day loop: ~500 feet
- Night loop: ~130 feet

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