The 2026 Coffs Backyard Ultra delivered one of the most remarkable weekends in Australian ultra-running history, with 492 starters cementing the Coffs Creek Walkway event as the second biggest backyard ultra ever held in the world.
Among them, 277 runners took on a backyard ultra for the very first time, which was testament to the event’s reputation as one of the most welcoming and inclusive endurance events in the country.
Coffs Trail Runners race director Keelan Birch said the weekend exceeded all expectations.
“From first-timers tackling their very first yard to runners pushing deep into the night and beyond 200km, every single person who stood on that start line helped make this event something special,” Birch said.
Sydney runner Oliver Sheekey, 21, successfully defended his 2025 title, completing 33 yards – 221km – to be crowned last male standing.
Clare Palmer pushed him every step of the way, completing 32 yards – 214km – to take the last female standing title in an extraordinary display of endurance.
Oliver Sheekey’s father, Michael, who finished third overall with 34 yards last year, ran four yards alongside him this year, the pair sustaining themselves on a delicate mix of carbohydrates – cereal, honey sandwiches and protein drinks – with red frogs and snakes thrown in towards the end.
“The basic ingredient is some base level of running fitness, but it’s not whoever trains the most who wins,” Michael Sheekey said.
“Eventually the big building blocks become mental resilience, controlling your emotions, sticking to your plan and nailing your nutrition every lap.”
The event also shattered its own world record for female participation. Two hundred and nine women took part, making up 43 per cent of the field and setting a new world record for female participation at a backyard ultra.
Records fell across every age group. Eleven-year-old Jacob Whatman completed 15 yards – 100km – breaking the Australian record for his age group by eight yards and surpassing existing records for the 12- and 13-year-old age groups as well.
Among the most heartwarming moments of the weekend was Aaron Eichner, who ran alongside his seven-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son, both of whom set new national records, each completing three yards.
“I’m just so proud of my little ones,” Eichner said. “To see them out there setting national records at their age – it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Yamba runner Meg Dougherty called it a day at six yards, pulled back to reality by the demands of life at home with young children. But she was full of praise for the way the event translated beyond the course.
“What makes it so great is that you can follow along online and keep up with who is still running,” Dougherty said. “Social media has made it a fantastic spectator sport. You don’t even have to be there to feel part of it.”
At the other end of the spectrum, 83-year-old Colin Westwood and 79-year-old Dee Westwood both set new age-group records, before settling in to crew their daughter Kerry in her bid for a first 100km finish.
Meanwhile, 76-year-old John Mawhinney, who had not run for six weeks leading into the event, completed three yards and set a new record for his age group, having spent the day before helping set up the entire event site.
“You’ve got to use it or lose it,” Mawhinney said.
In all, 4051 yards were completed across the weekend. Of those, 251 runners completed an ultramarathon (seven or more yards), 78 reached 100km and 20 reached 100 miles, with 101 runners setting an all-time personal best at a backyard ultra.
It was, organisers said, by every measure, a weekend that punched well above its weight on the world stage.
New to the sport? Run a 6.706km loop every hour, on the hour, until one runner remains.
The Backyard Ultra was invented in an American backyard in 2011 and is now a global phenomenon. It rewards not the fastest but the most patient – the one still making good decisions at 3am.
The world record stands at 119 laps – nearly 500km – set by Australian Phil Gore in 2023.
By KATE PYE
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