Race Report: Sydney Backyard Ultra by Julie Steele
sydney's backyard ultra - 13 april 2024 - st ives showground, nsw
contributed by julie steele, aura member (bulli, nsw)
Over the weekend, I joined ~240 other crazy runners at St Ives Showground to participate in the Sydney Backyard Ultra (BYU), organised by Alex and David of 180 Cadence. I spent 10 of my school years living in North St Ives (when it still had horse paddocks), so it was delightful to return to the showground for this event. For those unfamiliar with the backyard ultra-format, runners traverse a 6.706 km loop every hour, on the hour, until only one runner remains. Everyone except the last one standing receives a DNF (did not finish). It doesn't matter how quickly (or slowly) you complete each loop as long as you are in the starting corral when the next loop commences.
So, pacing strategy plays an enormous role during the event. Quicker laps provide more time to rest, recover, and do all those necessary repairs (including toilet visits), but they can be physically exhausting. Slower laps are less physically taxing per lap but limit recovery time, an especially crucial time to eat while your stomach is not bouncing around. At my age, I only have the option of a slower pace with no faster speed as a backup.
Although I have previously crewed at the Mirrim Wurnit Back Paddock Ultra and helped organise Red's BYU, this was my first time participating. To prepare for the event, I perused numerous YouTube videos showcasing backyard events globally, including the event in which 47-year-old Harvey Lewis set the world record of 108 laps (insane). I examined runners' various setups for their crewing stations and scrutinised still shots of their detailed spreadsheets, which documented their hourly requirements. Although I used this information to design my spreadsheet and construct my crewing area, I realised I needed to at least run into the night to justify my new setup (white gazebo adorned with pink fairy lights).
Starting at 8am on Saturday, clear skies greeted us rather than the torrential rain of the previous weekend. However, the temperature and humidity throughout the event were relatively high, so I was extremely thankful that much of the course was in the shade and I had enough clothing to change my sweat-soaked top every couple of hours. I have never consistently sweated so profusely. I had packed warmer clothing for the night loops but quickly reverted to day attire because temperatures remained at ~16 degrees at midnight. Many of the men ran without shirts throughout the night.
The course consisted of smaller loops that branched off a central dirt track around the main oval, which housed the event hub. The course varied from wet technical trails adorned with mud and slippery rocks, relatively flat dusty tracks with the occasional tree root trip hazard, welcomed grassy slopes and a central dirt circuit interspersed with brief bitumen sections. Although there were only a couple of climbs, the inclination of that rocky hill on the first loop seemed to grow exponentially as each loop progressed. At around 45 km, my ITB started to niggle, and I feared that this could prove problematic. However, after a greatly appreciated massage by my husband, Bruce, and some technique tips from experienced ultra-runner Geordi Maclean, the niggle disappeared, never to resurface. Late afternoon, I stupidly stumbled over a tree root in one of the flatter areas of the course and landed face-first into the dirt, with both calves rigidly spasming. I lay there terrified that this might be the early exit that I feared. However, a couple of the other runners graciously pulled me to my feet, and I shuffled off again with only a few scratches and a dented ego.
I managed to shuffle around the course for 18 hours (~120 km) but couldn't start the 19th loop. I was initially disappointed because I hoped to follow the golden rule of backyard ultras and not quit in the chair – only to DNF if I was timed out. However, sometimes, our bodies rebel. When I went to stand out of my chair to start the 19th loop, all my muscles (including my neck, back, and legs) cramped up so severely that I couldn't make it to the starting corral in time without risking tearing some anatomical structure. Given it was 2 am, Bruce didn't argue. Sensibly, he reminded me that we have another race in the Simpson Desert in just over 6 weeks and that to tear something now would likely put an end to that adventure. And with UTMB later this year, it simply wasn't worth the risk. Sometimes, even stubborn older individuals need to let common sense prevail. I entered this BYU event as a training run to test new nutritional and equipment strategies and to push myself long enough into the night to feel uncomfortable, which I certainly achieved. I have never enjoyed a warm shower at 3 am so much!
Despite running for 18 hours, I have no chafing, all my toenails are intact, and although I am exhausted and stiff, I can walk normally, even up and down stairs. Bruce patiently crewed me throughout the event, diligently following my pre-race spreadsheet and massaging my tiring legs. I stuck to my nutritional strategy for about 10 hours until my stomach refused to accept solid food. Because I was sweating so much, I forced down various liquid calories Bruce would offer to supplement the Tailwind I sipped throughout each lap. In the heat of Saturday afternoon, Bruce presented me with the first of two glorious red slushies, which was a game changer in helping to control my core temperature. I was also pleasantly surprised when my brother, Stephen, and sister-in-law, Diana, appeared at the end of a loop late Saturday afternoon. As non-runners, they were extremely bemused and somewhat mortified by the event format but stayed an extra hour to assist Bruce in the crew station (thanks, Steve and Diana!). My niece then started tracking the race progress from her home base in London! It is an intriguing and addictive race format to see how far people can push their limits.
I extend a huge thank you to the organisers, Alex and David, and their team for executing such a fabulous event and providing so much encouragement each loop. The vibe was infectious. Special mention must also go to those traffic control legends who stood for hours throughout the day and night to ensure cars didn't flatten us while they consistently encouraged our every step. Thank you also to those vocal cheer squads who hollered encouragement throughout the night, especially the gentleman with the booming Welsh accent who excitedly screamed for "the old lady with two lights" (I wear an extra waist light with my headlamp to illuminate the ground). I took this as a genuine compliment, and it spurred me on. I was secretly motivated by repeatedly hearing shocked whispers: "OMG … the old girl is still going".
As the oldest competitor in the field (male or female; 64 in ~3 weeks), I was pleased with my first attempt at a BYU (equal 4th woman in laps completed and in the top 40 runners out of the 240 competitors). It was a privilege to run with such a supportive group of crazy runners – too many to name! It was especially a privilege to share snippets of 18 hours with the eventual last man standing, Johnathon Ash (also from the Illawarra), who completed a stunning 42 loops (281.8 km). Congratulations to you, Caroline and the rest of your passionate crew, Jono. I was flattered when he thanked me for helping him maintain a slower pace for those crucial formative laps. Congratulations to 23-year-old, ever-smiling and chatty Lauren Marshall, who completed 30 loops (201.25 km) to be the last woman standing (equal 6th loops completed overall). And finally, I can't thank Bruce enough – he was phenomenally supportive, keeping me adequately fuelled, ensuring I entered the corral with all the necessary items, drying out my sweaty clothing, and meticulously massaging my ever-tiring legs. I certainly could not have completed as many loops without his superb support.
Now, it's time to rest, recover, and prepare for our next adventure. Simpson Desert Ultra, here we come.
Photo credits: Thanks to Bruce's snaps during the event and @strongerstrides for capturing me running with Luke and Harry.
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