THE ROAD TO BIG'S
The Holy Grail of Backyard Ultra
Individual World Championship — Bell Buckle, Tennessee
October 16, 2027
WHY WE RUN
We run in the backyard for many different reasons. We run because it is fun. We run to socialize with our friends (old and new). We run to go further than we have ever gone before…
But, for many of us, we run because we want to eventually go to Big Dog’s Backyard, and pit ourselves against the best in the world. And why should we not harbor such ambitions? In the backyard, anyone can win. One of the fundamental imperatives for any sport is to leave the outcome in the hands of the athlete. And so we want it to be in the backyard.
YOUR TICKET TO TENNESSEE
HOW DO YOU QUALIFY
Het startveld in de achtertuin van Lazarus Lake is strikt beperkt tot de absolute wereldtop. Er zijn slechts 75 plekken beschikbaar voor het Wereldkampioenschap in oktober 2027.
National Champions
The winners of the 50 national championships (held in 2026) automatically secure a direct ticket. Win the Belgian Championship (like our Team WC)? Then you’ll be at the starting line in Tennessee.
At-Large PLACES
Besides the champions, 25 runners are selected based on the “At-Large” list. These are the absolute top performances (highest number of completed loops) worldwide during the qualifying period from August 16, 2025 to August 15, 2027.
THE BELGIAN LEGACY
Fighting together at the top of the world
Although the Individual World Championship is the ultimate test of the loner against the elements, the Belgian delegation always travels to Bell Buckle as one powerful team. Our runners build a joint basecamp, crew for each other when their own race is over, and push each other to otherworldly performances. In recent years, Team Belgium has left the world astounded.
2023
In 2023, a rock-solid Belgian front traveled to the birthplace of the sport. While days turned into nights and nights back into days, the Belgians remained at the absolute forefront of the race. The team spirit in the Belgian camp was unparalleled.
It was Merijn Geerts who showed the world what Belgians are made of. Supported by his compatriots, he pushed insanely deep and only tapped out after an unreal 100 loops (670.6 kilometers). He thereby commanded respect from the entire field, in an epic edition that was eventually won by Harvey Lewis (108 loops).
2025
Two years later, Team Belgium returned, hungrier than ever. The camaraderie in the Belgian camp was once again the fuel for the runners. Anyone who dropped out immediately joined the crew to support the remaining Belgians.
This led to one of the most memorable duels in the history of the sport. Ivo Steyaert represented the Belgian tricolor until the absolute finale. For hours, for days, he fought shoulder to shoulder for the world title. Ivo eventually fell as the assist man with a fabulous score of 113 loops, claiming a stunning second place behind winner Phil Gore (114 loops). An unprecedented achievement, carried by the entire team.
