Jack is about to run a race with no finish line. The goal, to be the last man standing

Jack Hanley, known online as @the_crazy_running_man, is preparing to compete in the Backyard Ultra, a unique ultra-marathon with no fixed finish line. The event takes place in Wollongong on Saturday, where Hanley will represent Team Australia. Unlike traditional races, the Backyard Ultra requires participants to run 6.706 kilometres, referred to as a “yard”, every hour on the hour. Runners drop out immediately if they fail to complete the distance within the hour. The winner is the last person still able to meet this benchmark. Hanley, a 30-year-old landscaper from Melbourne, aims to surpass his personal best of 74 hours, achieved during his second participation in the race in Sydney. That performance spanned over three days and covered approximately 496 kilometres. This year, he hopes to push his limits further. To maintain stamina, Hanley runs each loop in around 45 to 46 minutes, allowing himself about 13 minutes to rest, eat, and recover before starting the next hour. After 8pm, he often completes two loops in 41 to 42 minutes, followed by a brief meditation session and a 12- to 15-minute power nap on a blow-up mattress inside a gazebo. His team assists with waking him and ensuring he stays hydrated and nourished throughout the race. His diet includes rice cakes with honey, lollies, noodles, pizza pockets, and jelly with custard, all chosen to provide quick energy and sustenance. A nutrition coach helps tailor his intake, and both day and night crews support him during the event. Hanley finds the nighttime segments particularly challenging due to mental fatigue and the risk of doubt creeping in. However, he describes the experience of reaching dawn as rejuvenating, likening it to being reborn. “The energy levels go up and you’re ready to go again because there’s quite literally light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. His passion for running began in 2020 during the pandemic, when social isolation impacted his mental health. Since then, he has gained a following on Instagram, sharing his extreme athletic achievements. In 2023, at age 27, he completed 50 kilometres daily for 50 days, logging a total of 2500 kilometres. During this feat, he went through six pairs of shoes, 15 pairs of socks, and multiple tubs of Vaseline. The effort raised over $50,000 for a mental health support group based at his local football club. The Backyard Ultra format, explained via Reddit discussions and the Yardlore website, involves continuous looping with strict time constraints. Competitors must balance speed with recovery, making strategic choices about pacing and rest periods. The race tests not only physical endurance but also mental resilience, requiring athletes to manage fatigue, nutrition, and motivation over extended periods. Hanley's approach combines structured training with adaptability, relying on a well-coordinated support system to navigate the demands of the race. His preparation reflects a blend of discipline and creativity, essential for sustaining performance across multiple days. As he prepares for the upcoming event, his focus remains on pushing beyond previous limits and embracing the challenges of the race with enthusiasm.