Harvey Lewis embarked on an epic 450-mile journey, running for over four and a half days with little sleep, to claim the backyard ultramarathon record. His fellow competitors, numbering fewer as the race progressed, battled alongside him on the same trails, streets, and routes, fighting fatigue, fever, and sleep deprivation.
Despite appearing exhausted, with his sweat-soaked shirt displaying wounds from a past nosebleed, Lewis knew he held the key to victory: outlasting every other competitor. With an unstoppable momentum, he felt an inexplicable connection between his rhythm and tempo, pushing through the grueling challenge.
The event in question was the Backyard Ultra Running World Championships in October, held at Big’s Backyard Ultra. By definition, an ultramarathon exceeds 26.2 miles, but the length of a backyard ultramarathon is not predetermined. Participants must complete a 4.167-mile loop each hour until only one runner remains or withdraws.
Lewis, a high school teacher and accomplished ultra-marathoner from Cincinnati, ventured into uncharted territories by participating in his first backyard ultramarathon. Over the course of four and a half days, he conquered an astounding 108 loops (450 miles) at Big’s.
Ultimately, Lewis’ heroic endurance and tenacity only stretched so far. On the cusp of attempting to break his own world record of six loops or 25 miles, his last opponent, Ihor Verys, faltered, and Lewis successfully claimed the title of “Assistant” at the backyard ultramarathon.
Weeks later, he continued to chase his dream by attempting to break his previous world record, but his relentless pursuit proved futile.
As Lewis completed his final loop, a wave of clarity washed over him. It had been an arduous test of both body and spirit, and he knew it was time to relinquish his title to his fellow competitor.
“When the last guy goes, you float on cloud seven,” Lewis said enthusiastically. “It’s like one of the greatest moments of my life. I can’t describe it, especially when it’s such a challenging, ambitious goal.”
Every year, hundreds of backyard ultra events take place worldwide, but Big’s is the most unique and renowned. The concept of the backyard ultra was created by Gary Cantrell, a legendary organizer of some of the world’s toughest footraces, such as the legendary Barkley Marathon. Cantrell first held Big’s in 2011, in and around his farm in Bell Buckle, also known as Lazarus Lake or simply "Laz."
The event consists of two different rounds: one during the day on trails, and another at night on the streets. The beginning and end of each round are marked by an overhead structure inscribed with the words, "There is no end." The first three words are handwritten and strategically mounted.
Toward the end of each hour, competitors must gather to ensure they remain in the race.
“This is a tribute to the ability of humanity to continuously push the boundaries of what’s possible,” Cantrell said in an event promo video.
Despite a series of setbacks, including severe sleep deprivation, Lewis persevered, ultimately securing his second championship and third top-performing assistant title at the backyard ultramarathon of the year. His resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to his strong will and strategic mental approach.
With a sly grin, Lewis summed up his success in the ultra-competitive world of backyard ultramarathons, saying, "I've always believed that I am the ultimate man, and I never lost sight of that vision."
In his relentless quest for perfection, Lewis developed some unconventional training methods, such as attempting to nap for three to five minutes during his lunch breaks to simulate brief pauses between loops.
During the race itself, Lewis’ napping strategy proved far less successful than his mental grit. He managed little sleep in the days leading up to the ultramarathon, and his fourth day was plagued by extreme hallucinations that had only recently begun to subside during his Australian backyard super series.
“I really saw those straw men, and the trees came to life,” Lewis recalled. “I fell asleep for a second, and waking up, I felt my voice was so heavy. It was like in 'Stranger Things.'"
If he were to experience similar hallucinations during another race, Lewis hypothesized with a confident smile, "I think I can just push through it." His unyielding confidence was evident in every step he took.
But his determination never compromised his judgment: "I do have to censor myself in the hallucinating state," he reflected. "I can’t let my thoughts run wild during the run."
In addition to drinking calorie-dense beverages instead of water, Lewis fueled his impressive performance with an array of plant-based foods, such as avocado wraps, hummus, lentil soup, vegan pasta, vegan yogurt, cupcakes, and a variety of fruits, including cherries, mangoes, and watermelon.
Lewis had weathered numerous challenges during the race, drawing on his mental fortitude to push through the pain. From managing his physical exhaustion to controlling his competitor-induced chatter and maintaining his grip on reality, he had proven his ability to endure anything the backyard ultramarathon threw his way.
References: [1] Facebook, “This is Big's Backyard Ultra,” [accessed 7 December 2023] [2] Big’s Backyard Ultra, “Full Event Information’’ [accessed 7 December 2023] [3] “Big’s Backyard Ultra 2023 Rules,” [accessed 7 December 2023]
