Belgian Trio Sets Ultramarathon World Record with Two-Week Run
A group of Belgian ultrarunners, Merijn Geerts, Ivo Steyaert, and Frank Gielen, made history in the world of ultramarathons by setting a new record in the Backyard Ultra event. This incredible feat took place in Retie, Belgium, where the trio ran an astonishing distance of nearly 738km in just four days and 14 hours. The Backyard Ultra is a grueling race that involves running on a looped track of approximately 6.7km (4.2 miles), with participants required to complete one loop every hour, totaling about 100 miles each day.
The race continues until only one runner remains standing, pushing the competitors to their physical and mental limits. In this bi-annual world championship, national teams can field up to 15 runners, with the country that completes the most loops emerging as the winner. This year, 63 countries participated in the event, with Belgium ultimately claiming victory by completing an impressive 1,147 loops. This achievement surpassed the efforts of other strong contenders such as Australia and the United States, who finished with 971 and 969 loops respectively.
Geerts, Steyaert, and Gielen each contributed 110 laps to their team’s total, securing their place in the record books and surpassing the previous record of 108 laps set by American runner Harvey Lewis. As they crossed the finish line together, the trio displayed a sense of camaraderie and friendship by linking their arms in celebration. Steyaert shared his disbelief at their accomplishment, stating, “I didn’t think it was possible to break that world record. 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.”
Looking ahead, Gielen humorously remarked, “I think I’m not going to move for two weeks.” This lighthearted comment reflects the immense physical exertion and dedication required to participate in such a demanding event. The Belgian trio’s success serves as an inspiration to aspiring ultrarunners worldwide, showcasing the power of teamwork, determination, and unwavering support for one another in the pursuit of greatness.