Coasties excel at Backyard Ultra

The Sydney Backyard Ultra 2025 attracted 454 competitors, including 23 from the Central Coast, to St Ives Showgrounds on Saturday, September 20.

The event, known for its distance-unlimited format, sees runners start a new loop, or “yard,” every hour, each comprising approximately 6.71km, continuing until only one runner remains.

Failure to begin or finish a loop within the hour sees the runner eliminated.

By 9am on Sunday, September 21, 34 athletes had begun the 25th “yard”.

Among them were Aaron Flower, 46, from Blackwall; Christopher Stobbs, 46, from Tumbi Umbi; and Joel Patterson, 32, from Bateau Bay; all of whom had surpassed 160.94km (100 miles) in 24 hours.

Having also reached the milestone, Bateau Bay’s Matt Zalbergs, 45, opted to end his campaign after 24 “yards”.

Patterson was among 25 runners who did not complete the 25th yard in time.

Flower pushed through to the 28th “yard” but did not finish within the hour, officially recording 181.06km – 27 “yards” over 27 hours – a personal best.

“I didn’t even get close to what I wanted to do, but I did get a distance personal best,” he said.

The event had special meaning for Flower, who ran to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation in memory of a late friend.

“Thanks to everyone who donated, we raised $3,447, which is awesome,” he said.

His effort left 16 runners in the race, making him the second-best Central Coast performer.

Stobbs finished as the leading Central Coast runner and 10th overall.

While he started on the 32nd yard, he did not complete it in time.

He says the event allowed him to go beyond what he thought was possible, supported by the crowd.

“Having all those kids on the sidelines handing out free high-fives was super cool,” he said.

“I don’t think they realise they were helping change lives and making people’s dreams come true.”

Running under a South African flag for his country of origin, he officially covered 207.88km over 31 “yards”, averaging 49 minutes and 47 seconds per hour across the 32-hour run.

Sydney’s Akira Barzaghi was crowned The Legend 2025 Sydney Winner Spring Edition after 54 “yards”, covering 362.11km in 54 hours.

Jon Berry, awarded The Great Assist, officially recorded 355.40km before failing to finish the 54th yard.

Backyard Ultra races test runners’ endurance, pacing, and mental resilience, using a unique format that pushes competitors to cover distance.

At Sydney’s Backyard Ultra, Central Coast athletes once again showed they can compete with the best.

Ivona Rose