It’s been a while since an article was posted here, but thought this something that needed to be talked about. I had already started the year with signing up for Manchester Marathon in 2026, and then Yorkshire Marathon, so out of nowhere decided to embark on trying my first Ultra, and do the Backyard.
2026 was a year that started with an injury that was primarily formed around the top of the right foot and had started since November 2025. It had started to fade away, and any chance I was able to apply through a charity to run Manchester Marathon, unfortunately, this didn’t go to plan, and had to withdraw.
To help with recovery, I decided to change my running gait from fore-foot running to heal striking. You must be thinking that this is mad, as that is really hard work. I agree, it is really hard work, but worked on that for a couple of months, and found that it was working. This suggested that I could go a lot further, and have a last attempt at Marathon or more distance. I had booked Manchester Marathon for 2027 as soon as the entries were available, and then decided to book Yorkshire. But, looking through club FB, found a person doing an Backyard Ultra, and thought this sounds like a great idea, and booked myself on to do it, I also got one of my friends to sign up.
I started my training, and building up slowly, and the training went pretty well, and the most I did was about 20 miles. I didn’t specifically train the 4.167 mile slots, and see how that felt, so the whole scenario on race day was going to be new. I had stocked up electrolytes, protein bars, gels, sandwiches; so was hopeful that this would go to plan.
The day started quite early, getting ready, and packing the car, and arriving at 08:30. Wasn’t sure how things were laid out, and how things worked, I looked around, and found the solo runners tent; it had several chairs and tables, so that runners can feel comfortable. There was also a set of tables with sweets, cakes, hot water, water, and various squashes. There was something for everyone. I then brought all my kit into the tent, which included electrolytes, food, drinks, extra shoes, shirts and so on.
I was doing this Backyard with a friend, so decided that we would this together from the start, and then see how we felt over the time. We had our breifing at 09:30, got our initial in, and then waited for 3 whistles, 2 whistles, and then 1. Each whistle signified the amount of minutes to the start of the next round. We started off slow, walking start was the plan, and take a steady pace. The course was a mixture of grass with lots of divots and small sections of tarmac, this was not the surface I was expecting. The grass bit was much harder to run on, but as we ran more on it, we got used to the surface. There were many gates on the course, and the first one had queues forming, so was a good opportunity to take a breather, but therest were marshalled, and were opened up for us.
There were a couple of steady hills that were runnable. Ther were 2 other bigger hills, the first one was a good one for taking fuel, so that was our main point for taking gels; and the second one was just steap, and we just had to walk it. We had various points on the course that we knew what times we need to reach to ensure completion of the lap within the time limit, so we tried to stick to that as best as we could.
Laps 1 and 2 was just about steady going, and getting the feel of the pace and ensuring everything went to plan. I needed the loos by lap 3, and completed that lap in a very fast time of 42:19, and stupidly leading it for 2 miles. I did pay the price, and the rest of the laps were slower due to this. 2 of the laps we had to stop for our compulsory prayers, but also made us run quite fast to complete those laps, and took a toll in the fatigue.
Fueling wise, I was planning of taking a gel, electrolytes and a jam sandwich each lap. My daughter made me 12 quarter sandwiches, that would last 12 laps, so had enough to last me to my ultimate target. I had made bags, a sandwich and gel for each lap. Sandwich only cwas requried in 4 of my laps in the end, but a gel for every lap. The rest periods allowed me to take electrolytes, and keep me going. In hindsight, should have taken extra electrolytes, in the morning, and carbed up during the week. Something for next time.
My ultimate target was 12 laps, but when I started the 11th lap, I stuck with some walkers, and got lazy, and decided to walk and that ended my race. In hindsight I should have carried on, and maybe would of completed at least a lap or 2, and get to that 12 lap target. I guess, that’s now for another day, and can look back of what-ifs and such.
As a first ever Ultra, this was an overall success as its the most ever I’ve run, and got to my minimum target, which was 8 laps. Would I do it again? yes, absolutely, I already signed up to the Staplefor Hall in July 2027, where I hope to get to my ultimate target of 12 laps. With marathon training next year, it should be a good foundation for the Ultra.
Timings below for each lap
- 1 – 00:51:25
- 2 – 00:50:43
- 3 – 00:42:19
- 4 – 00:53:03
- 5 – 00:51:18
- 6 – 00:55:32
- 7 – 00:55:16
- 8 – 00:56:23
- 9 – 00:55:53
- 10 – 00:57:39