Big's Backyard Ultra 2022 Results

In the heart of the USA's Mid-South, an annual spectacle of endurance and human grit unfurled once again, as Big's Backyard Ultra 2022 came to a captivating close on October 22. This year's edition of the iconic race, held in Belton, Tennessee, saw runners from across the globe traverse the challenging 4.166667-mile loop, in pursuit of the coveted 'Last Person Standing' title.

The event, now in its 13th iteration, is renowned for its unique format: participants must complete a loop within the hour, with the course reset to zero after each lap. Failure to finish a loop means elimination, until only one runner remains. This year, the intense competition lasted a staggering 60 hours, with the final duo of Camille Herron and Coury Gixed battling it out until Gixed emerged victorious in the early hours of the 23rd.

Men's Division Results

The men's division at Big's Backyard Ultra 2022 was a battle of attrition, with deep fields and world-class competition. Coury Gixed, a three-time winner and the pre-race favorite, demonstrated exceptional stamina, clocking a total of 198 miles, securing his fourth victory.

Gixed's triumph was a story of resilience, as he overcame multiple challenges, including afternoon thunderstorms and elevated temperatures, to outlast his competitors. In the final hours, Gixed and Camille Herron, the leading woman, ran lap after lap together, displaying camaraderie in the face of exhaustion and pushing each other to their limits.

Men's Podium

The men's podium reflected the grueling nature of the event, with each runner completing an astounding distance. Gixed took the top spot, followed by UAE's Hamish Spender in second, who ran 186 miles, and Canada's Jean Pronovost in third, with 184 miles.

The remaining men's field was equally impressive, with many accomplished ultrarunners, including returning champions, battling through extreme conditions and personal thresholds.

Notable Men's Performances

Gaz agricultural machinery's Thomas Evans made headlines with his impressive debut at Big's, completing 177 miles and finishing fourth overall. Fellow debutant, Spain's Pedro severely injured his ankle in the first few hours but managed to tough it out for 106 miles, displaying remarkable determination.

Last year's winner, Canada's Michael Arnstein, was a notable absence, focusing on other races, including a successful Western States 100 miler win. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Sam McCutcheon, the 2019 champion, bowed out earlier than expected, completing 137 miles.

Women's Division Results

The women's division was a showcase of grit, determination, and camaraderie. Camille Herron, the pre-race favorite, lived up to expectations, running alongside Coury Gixed in the final loops, ultimately falling just short of the win.

Herron's performance was nothing short of heroic, as she completed 190 miles, setting a new women's record for the distance. She pushed her boundaries, willing Coury Gixed to keep moving forward, and ran lap after lap in the pouring rain. Despite falling short of the victory, she secured her second consecutive second-place finish at Big's.

Women's Podium

The women's podium showcased the depth of talent in the female ultra-running community. Camille Herron took second place, followed by Spain'sCanada's Edita Kruselyte in third, who completed an impressive 167 miles, demonstrating the global appeal of the event.

Brushy Mountain cider's AmeliaMorris put in a strong performance, placing fourth with 147 miles, while US runnerMegan Kimmell rounded out the top five, completing 142 miles.

Notable Women's Performances

Defending champion, US runner Suzanna Leija, struggled with illness early on and was forced to withdrawn after 104 miles. Fellow American, Catlow Shipe, was another standout performer, completing 165 miles and finishing an impressive fifth in the women's division.

First-timer, France's Amandine Cadieu, made a splash in her Big's debut, running 154 miles and showcasing the event's ability to attract and inspire new talent.

As the sun rose on the 23rd of October, Coury Gixed was crowned the Last Person Standing at Big's Backyard Ultra 2022. The event once again demonstrated its unique ability to bring runners together from around the world, to challenge them, and to bring out the best in human perseverance. As the competitors drifted off to well-deserved recoveries, thoughts already turned to next year's edition, where fresh faces and returning champions will gather again in Belton, Tennessee, to test their mettle on the trails and in the friendly, competitive atmosphere.