After nearly five days of running, three Flemish athletes have claimed the world record in the Backyard Ultra competition. More than 900 people took part around the world, running a lap of almost 7km every hour. The eventual winners managed 110 laps.
Frank Gielen, Merijn Geerts and Ivo Steyaert ran for a total of around 94 hours in the woods around Beverdonk, Antwerp province. Every hour, they ran a 6.7km loop, with a short break before setting off again.
More than 900 participants in 63 countries took part. Once the three Flemish runners completed their 109th lap, breaking the previous record of 108, they decide to do one final victory lap.
“I didn’t think it was possible. It’s fantastic to do this with friends,” said Steyaert.
The three gave each other a lot of support during the race. “At one point Merijn came looking for me in the forest,” Steyaert said. “I was completely lost. If he hadn’t come to get me I wouldn’t be standing here at the finish line now.”
Not only did the trio set a world record, Team Belgium are now also world champions. Compatriot Kenneth Vanthuyne was close to breaking the record, finishing fourth and completing 100 laps.
“Every athlete ran more than 50 laps,” said Gielen. “We are incredibly proud to have been able to do that. I won’t move for two weeks now, I think.”
The race began on 19 October – Geerts’ birthday – and finished almost five days later.