Belgian trio set new world-best mark (737 km)

Runners across the world, including Namibia, have taken inspiration from the almost unthinkable world record set by three Belgians, who ran nearly 738 kilometres in four days and 14 hours during the third Backyard Ultra Team World Championship.

Starting their race at 14:00 last Saturday (no time difference with the start in Namibia), Belgium’s top three ultra-athletes continued with no sleep in the non-stop competition until the early hours of Thursday. After 110 hourly laps of 6.7 km, Belgium’s heroic three record-breakers Merijn Geerts, Ivo Steyaert and Frank Gielen had set a Backyard Ultra world record by running and walking nearly 738 km.

The Namibian team achieved their common goal of finishing in the top 50 of the 61 countries that each competed at an event within their own borders.

Additionally, team Namibia’s completed laps (239) placed them third in Africa (behind South Africa and Kenya) and third among countries with “small” populations (behind Guatemala and Uruguay).

At Swakopmund’s Gecko Ridge, Namibia’s individual winner André Ross improved his national record from 22 hourly loops to 26. In the process, he also booked his place to compete at next year’s Backyard Ultra world championship in the USA.

Afterwards, Ross was overwhelmed with emotion and struggled to keep back the tears.

“I had wanted to get above 33 loops, but the first goal was 24 loops.

“A tough lesson realized a bit late is that I should relax more on my walks and walk even more.

“My biggest highlight was to see the determination of the team... how people ran together and helped each other through each loop. In this regard I had so much more fun on the run than at the BBU (Brandberg Backyard Ultra in August; usually the national championship).”



WOMEN’S WINNER

Danielle Zimny was the last Namibian woman standing, achieving 16 laps (107.2 km).

Zimny did her first Backyard this year at BBU, finishing at 15 loops (100.5 km), second behind Corne Verwey (16).

“My goal for the World Champs was to do more than 15 loops,” Zimny said.

“The entire event was a highlight. I loved almost every loop. The tough/lonely one was only after my support had to leave at 9pm and I was alone from then on, but started enjoying it again after a loop or two.

“The low came after stopping, when I realised I could've done a few more (but probably would've caused myself some sort of injury). I had so much fun running with a fantastic group of people – everyone's super friendly, supportive and funny, and it was just a good atmosphere to be around.”

“I think people underestimate the power of a good support crew. It's not that you can't do this run alone, but when you arrive at your gazebo site after every loop and have someone backing you, it means the world. Big shout out to John Burger for being there as long as he could.”



DEBUT

The world championship was Michelle von Stein’s first Backyard Ultra, as a late replacement when Johan Bronkhorst pulled out with injury.

“I’m very new to the trail-running family, so I decided not too think too much into it and just go and run. I love to be spontaneous, the harder the better. I really had such a freaking great time, hanging out with all my running friends for 15 hours straight.

“I've never done a Backyard and my PB is now 15 laps. Which I think I could have pushed for more, but I’m also lazy, LOL.

“I had no drama beside the ‘haarskeerder’ spider that came running straight towards me and I ended up doing a hurdle jump on really tired legs.

“I'll definitely be back to do a few more.”



BETTER NEXT TIME

Richard Reid previous two Brandberg-events yielded 11 laps last year and 13 laps this year. Last weekend, he again completed 13 laps.

“My goal was to give it my all. I would have liked to hit 100 km, but until you’re out there on the road it’s difficult to know. Mentally I felt I could go on, but my legs said no!

“Highlights were the great atmosphere and the supporters, they helped a lot. Amazing scenery and sunset. Lows included the cold north wind at the start of the night loops. Also, I felt my legs tire early on so knew it was going to be a long drag. In reality I should have rested more before the event; three marathons in six weeks leading up and all my cycling maybe wasn’t the best idea.

“I don’t class myself as a ‘runner’ as I don’t follow any training plan; I just run. So maybe next time I will put some effort into preparation. I’ll be ready for the next one.”



‘NOT MOVING FOR TWO WEEKS’

Belgium, aided by Geerts, Steyaert and Gielen’s record contribution of 110 laps each, won the bi-annual Team World Championship with 1,147 loops, beating Australia and USA who completed 971 and 969 loops.

The Belgian trio broke the previous record of 108 laps set by American Harvey Lewis last year and linked their arms as they completed the 110th loop to end the race together.

“I didn’t think it was possible to break that world record,” Steyaert told Sporza. “We decided in the last round to stop together. We are three friends and we thought it would be nicer to share the record with the three of us.”

Belgium’s 15 runners were together for 50 laps until the first dropped out.

Asked what was next, Gielen replied: “I think I’m not going to move for two weeks.”