Phil Gore runs 152-hour backyard ultra

Australian ultrarunner Phil Gore ran for over six days straight, completing a 6.7-km loop every hour. He covered 1,019.3 kilometres in 152 hours during his solo 'Project 168' attempt, raising more than A$280,000 for the Telethon 7 children's charity.

Gore is the reigning Big's Backyard Ultra World Champion and the official backyard world record holder. His record of 119 laps was set in 2025 at the Dead Cow Gully Backyard Ultra in Queensland. The format, created by Gary 'Laz Lake' Cantrell, requires runners to complete a 6.71 km loop every hour until only one competitor remains.

An unofficial endurance benchmark

Despite the distance and duration, Gore's latest feat is not an official world record. According to the backyard ultra format, records must be set in a race with multiple participants. Gore undertook Project 168 as a solo challenge. His team monitored the entire run, and he uploaded the data to Strava. Gore stated on Instagram that his goal was to set a new benchmark for human endurance, regardless of official recognition.

He passed the existing 119-lap record on his fifth day. Gore ultimately completed 152 laps before withdrawing, falling short of his 168-hour target but establishing a formidable new mark.

The logistics of sleep and pacing

Managing sleep was a critical component of the multi-day effort. Gore employed a strategic pacing plan to fit in short naps. He would run faster laps, completing them in 35 to 40 minutes. This allowed him 10 to 15 minutes of sleep before beginning the next hourly loop. This cycle was essential to maintaining the schedule within the strict one-hour time frame.

The physical and mental toll of such an effort is immense. The clock never stops in a backyard ultra. Failure to finish a loop within the hour means elimination.

Fundraising success and future plans

The charitable component of Project 168 was a major success. Gore's original fundraising target was A$168,000. He surpassed that goal by over A$100,000, with the final total exceeding A$280,000 for Telethon 7. The charity provides medical and financial support to children and their families in Australia.

Gore has now committed to defending his title at the 2026 Big's Backyard Ultra World Championships in October. He won the 2025 championship after 114 hours and 750 kilometres of running. As a current world champion and record holder, he will be a key runner to watch. His form from this solo effort suggests he will be a formidable competitor.