In this episode of The One More Hour Podcast, Jaci Wilson delves into the concept of Backyard Ultras, a unique running format that combines endurance with community spirit. She explains the origins of the Backyard Ultra, its specific rules, and the competitive nature of the races. The episode also touches on the importance of pacing, nutrition, and the community aspect of these events, setting the stage for future discussions on various related topics.


Takeaways

• The Backyard Ultra format was created by Gary Cantrell in 2011.
• A Backyard Ultra consists of a 4.167-mile loop completed every hour.
• Participants have 60 minutes to finish each loop, or they are out.
• The race continues until only one person remains who has completed one more loop than anyone else.
• The current world record for a Backyard Ultra is 119 yards, set in June 2025.
• Backyard Ultras foster a strong sense of community among runners.
• Runners often participate in Backyard Ultras to push their limits and achieve personal goals.
• Aid is not allowed until after completing the loop, emphasizing self-sufficiency.
• The ultimate goal for many is to qualify for the Big's Backyard Ultra.
• Future episodes will cover pacing, nutrition, and insights from various experts.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Curious about backyard ultramarathons? What's it like to run with no set ending time or distance? How do you keep going when you get bored? How can I get into ultras without a crew? How far can I go? What is a backyard ultra? How do I approach the backyard different from a set distance ultra or a timed event? There are so many questions!

Welcome to The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Events, and the Ultra Mindset of "one more".

If you’re a backyard ultra runner, a trail or ultra runner curious about the format, a road runner who is curious about the ultra world, or someone who just loves testing your limits — this podcast is for you.

My goal with this podcast is to bring you stories, strategies, and conversations with runners, race directors, crew members, and professionals like registered dietitians, mental performance psychologists, physical therapists, sleep specialists, etc., to provide you with the most amount of information possible to help you keep going ONE MORE. One more hour, one more loop, one more hour, one more minute, one more step.

If you have topic suggestions or guest recommendations, please let me know at theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com!

SHOW LINKS:

Follow Jaci: @jaci.wilson.runs

Curious about 1:1 coaching for your next backyard ultra? Book a free call with me and check out my website.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Can you keep going when everything in you wants to stop?

Welcome to One More Hour: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

This podcast dives deep into the ultrarunning mindset and the backyard ultra format, a race where runners cover 4.167 miles every hour on the hour until only one remains. Each week, host Jaci Wilson, ultramarathon and marathon coach, trail runner, and backyard ultra expert, brings you raw stories and expert strategies from athletes, race directors, sports psychologists, dietitians, and more.

Whether you’re a backyard ultra runner, a trail or ultra runner curious about the format, or just someone obsessed with testing your limits, this show will help you fuel smarter, think stronger, and push past the wall when the miles never stop.

Hit follow now so you don’t miss the first full episode and get ready to go just one more hour.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Nutrition during backyard ultras or last man standing races is one of the most important elements of training and of the race. HOWEVER, it's one of the things that runners struggle with the most when it comes to ultramarathons.

Why? Because everyone is different, you are out there for a LONG time, AND with backyard ultras/last man standing races, you have limited time to problem solve GI issues, dehydration, and other nutrition problems before needing to continue running.

What you should eat and drink, how much, and when can seem intimidating and overwhelming. That's why we're chatting with The Endurance Nutritionist, Kayla Fitzgerald, on today's episode.

Kayla is a registered dietitian, ultra runner, race director, and nutrition expert who has helped hundreds of runners nail their nutrition strategy for their training and their races. 

In this episode we discuss the intersection of nutrition and running, particularly in the context of ultra marathons and backyard races. Kayla shares her unique journey to becoming a dietitian, her experiences in running, and the importance of community in trail running.

The conversation delves into practical fueling strategies for ultra marathons, considerations with protein and carbs, how to not bonk, the mental aspects of running, and the significance of personalized race day nutrition plans. Listeners will gain insights into how to approach nutrition for endurance events, the value of being adaptable in their fueling strategies, and how Kayla can help you with a race day nutrition strategy that is made for YOU.

We also discuss Kayla's perspective on being the race director of Palmetto Ultras, a race series (and group trail runs) in Charleston, South Carolina. Hallucination Trail Race is her next upcoming race! Run for 6hrs, 12hrs, 24hrs, or 34hrs!

Thank you Kayla for coming on the show!

KAYLA'S LINKS

Kayla's Instagram (@the.endurance.nutritionist)

Kayla's website 

Palmetto Ultras on Instagram 

Palmetto Ultras website 

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Are you limiting yourself to what you think is possible and impossible? What if nothing was impossible?

In this episode, Jaci sits down with ultra runner Nick Steel, who shares his incredible journey through running, including his impressive feat of completing 14 100-mile races in 2025 (so far). Nick discusses how running has been a therapeutic outlet for him, helping him cope with mental health challenges. Nick always says "Your body can handle far more than your mind will allow." It's more than just running hundreds of miles. You have no limits other than the ones constructed in your mind. The mind must be trained daily. Break past those limits and move beyond.

The conversation delves into the unique aspects of backyard ultras, pacing strategies, and the significance of having a supportive crew. Nick also emphasizes the importance of community and the mental game of ultra running, offering advice for new runners and those hesitant about the backyard ultra format. 

Takeaways

• Nick Steel has completed 14 100-mile races in 2025 so far.
• Running has helped him cope with mental health challenges.
• He aims to inspire others through his running journey.
• Nick's Water Tower Challenge involved running a 50K every day for a week.
• He emphasizes the importance of recovery and nutrition in ultra running.
• Nick's backyard ultra pacing strategy includes walking to conserve energy.
• His father plays a crucial role as his crew during races.
• He uses rocks from races as motivational reminders.
• Nick believes in the power of community and social interaction during races.
• Nick's main goal for Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra was to push other runners further than they've ran in the past.

Huge thanks to Nick for coming on the show!
 
SHOW LINKS:
Nick's Instagram
Nick's YouTube
Nick's Strava
Nick's Ultra Running Mag stats

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Running is more than just miles for Elizabeth (she/they). It’s been a constant companion through all seasons of life for the past 25 years, a source of connection, challenge, and adventure.

I think Elizabeth says it best: at the most basic level, running allows you to simply move forward.

"Why are we walking? No, We can run."

In this episode we dive into why Elizabeth loves looped races, tips she has for backyard ultras and timed events, lessons she has learned from past races and what she will do different in the future, and her deep appreciation for being out there. What am I capable of? Can I complete the distance that I've said I'm going to run? Their curiosity paired with stubbornness and love for a fun challenge has allowed Elizabeth to complete races like Javelina Jundred, Kettle Moraine 100, 20 yards at Elm Creek Backyard Ultra, Tuscobia Winter Ultra, and more.

"I'm not a competitive runner but I'm competitive with myself."

"I'm going to mix two of my favorite things - identifying as queer and also running"

Elizabeth has also found great support and community with LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC run groups in the area. The shared understanding, appreciation, and commonality has added joy to their training. While there's still work to be done, they deeply appreciate the organizations that offer non-binary divisions, longer cut-offs, and truly inclusive spaces.

I hope you enjoy Elizabeth's approach and appreciation of running and apply some of her advice to your next race or training cycle!

Thank you, Elizabeth, for joining me on the show!

You can follow Elizabeth's journey here:

Elizabeth's blog

Elizabeth's Instagram

OTHER SHOW NOTES:

Outdoor Safe Space pin and IG page

They Run MN IG page

Twin Cities Moving While BIPOC  IG page

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website