When the going gets rough the tough keep going could well be the mantra for starters in the Moturoa Backyard Ultra.
Leading local sports events promoter Pete Marshall admits he was overwhelmed by the interest in his latest challenge – lap after lap around a Rough Island loop circuit until it is last one standing.
More than 200 people have signed up for the Backyard Ultra where participants repeatedly run laps of a 6.706km course, starting a new lap every hour.
If the distance seems a little unusual, do the math and 24 laps equates to 100 miles.
“I was expecting just few mates wanting to push themselves but there are some serious runners planning to go hard and go long. It is a celebration of distance,” declares Pete.
He names Coast to Coast multisport athlete Deane Brownlie and versatile local runners Nick Lane and Shane Mickell as ones to look out for along with leading female athletes Fran Harris and Kate Annan.
Pete also has another tip – don’t go too fast, too soon.
“Competitors can only complete one lap an hour so if you have to wait too long before the next one starts, you run the risk of seizing up.”
The Backyard Ultra, which has the backing of Gear Shop, will begin at 9am at the Hunter Brown Reserve.
It will be a mass start with front runners looking to clear the pack on the relatively tight track.
While it is an individual event, there will be added competition between essential workers.
“The Police, FENZ, Hato Hone St John Ambulance and Nelson Hospital Emergency Department staff will be taking on each other as well as pushing themselves. We will do an unofficial tally for the teams and businesses at the end,” confirms Pete.
With the event running through the night, or nights, entertainment is planned to help keep runners on their toes.
“We are setting up a dance area with disco lights in a wooded spot,” enthuses Pete, who has hired the Rough Island race venue for five days.
“I would probably need all of that too if New Zealand’s Backyard Ultra record holder Sam Harvey was competing.”
Sam completed a staggering 118 laps in Queensland last year and only stopped after collapsing in the aptly named Dead Cow Gully.
As for the final standings at Rough Island, there is only one that counts in the Moturoa Backyard Ultra.
The last remaining competitor is recorded as the sole finisher and winner.
