Mark Dowdle has done it again. This past weekend, 990 brave athletes took on Big’s Backyard Ultra, the backyard ultramarathon invented by Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell. The format requires runners to complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour, on the hour, and continue doing so until they can no longer finish a loop within the allotted time. Once you miss the cutoff, you’re out. This year, Big’s Backyard Ultra introduced the World Team Championship format, with every nation competing simultaneously on its own home course. Each country fields 15 runners, and every yard contributes to the team’s total.
The U.S. race takes place at the event’s original location in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Dowdle, the 29-year-old ultra-endurance athlete who also won the Last Soul Ultra and BPN’s Go One More earlier this year, was named the 2026 Big’s Backyard Ultra Team USA Champion after covering an incredible 445 miles (717 kilometers) across 107 loops. He was in good company with 41-year-old runner Jon Noll, who also started the 107th loop but was unable to finish it, covering 441 miles (710 kilometers).
Related: Mark Dowdle Wins the 2026 Last Soul Ultra
With two major wins already under his belt this year, Dowdle continues to build a reputation as one of the sport’s most compelling athletes. Known for his determined mindset, he has gained growing public attention from fans, some of whom have even coined him the “real life Forrest Gump.” And yet, as expectations continue to rise, Dowdle keeps coming through.
Dowdle wasn’t the only one out to impress at Big’s Backyard Ultra this year. Belgian runners Merijn Geerts and Ivo Steyaert stopped together after 124 loops, covering more than 800 kilometers and setting a new world record.
Congratulations to Dowdle, Noll, and all the athletes who took on Big’s Backyard Ultra this past weekend. We love watching you push your limits and remind us of the incredible resilience of the human body and mind.
