There is no Finish
At Big’s Backyard Ultra, the clock never stops. Runners must cover 4.167 miles each hour, again and again, until just one remains. ROAD iD is there to keep them safe while they chase the impossible.
Behind the Scenes at Big's
Want a front row seat? Stay tuned on Instagram for race updates, highlights, and all the in-between moments.
Founded in 2011 by Gary “Laz” Cantrell in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, Big’s Backyard Ultra is a race like no other.
There’s no finish line, just the relentless cycle of laps. The rules are deceptively simple: runners must complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour on the hour. When the clock resets, every runner must be back at the start line, ready to go again. Miss a lap, miss the cutoff, or fail to start the next hour—you’re out.
“Most runners aimed for three to seven minutes of sleep per hour… The faster you could finish the yard, the more time you banked for sleep. Slow down, and you’d steal those minutes from your own recovery. It was chess, but the board was in constant motion, and every move carried a cost.”
What began in Laz’s backyard has become a global phenomenon, with satellite races around the world feeding into the World Championship at Big’s. The championships alternate each year, featuring a team event in even years and an individual showdown in odd years.
ROAD iD is proud to support this test of grit, strategy, and community—keeping every runner and crew identified and safe.
