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Kiwi ultra-runner on why CurraNZ is his go-to for world record bid
on April 16, 2024
New Zealand's ultra-runner extraordinaire, Sam Harvey, has his sights on setting a new benchmark in world ultra-running this year.
Last year, Sam tackled the formidable Dead Cow Gully, covering an astonishing distance of 667km in five days.
For those unfamiliar with the Backyard Ultra, it is a unique endurance event that tests participants' mental and physical fortitude. The format is simple yet grueling: runners must complete a 6.7km loop within the span of one hour. Those who finish before the hour is up must wait for the next loop to begin, and the process repeats until only one runner remains standing.
Sam lined up at the 2024 Dead Cow Gully event in Queensland, Australia with an opportunity to run further than the current world record of 108 laps set by American Harvey Lewis. Harvey was a fellow runner at the 2023 Dead Cow Gully but pulled out on lap 87. He went on to set the World Record at the world championships at Bigs Backyard Ultra later in the year. For Sam to beat Harvey's record he would have to be running with a fellow competitor and do one more lap to establish the record. Despite being the last man standing and winner at 69 laps (462km) he was unable to keep running as his assist runner tapped out on lap 68.
Sam's consolation prize was $10,000 for his effort of staying on course for 69hrs.
