Levi Yoder returns to Big’s for a fourth time, and once again, he went farther than he had before. He completed 86 yards, more than 358 miles, helping Team USA put together another incredible team performance.

But when Levi looks back on this year’s race, the distance isn't what stands out most. It's the friendships, the shared struggles, and the experience of discovering just how powerful it can be to run for something bigger than yourself.

From helping teammates fight through sleep deprivation to being carried through his final loop by John and Greg, Levi shares why this race reminded him what he loves about backyard ultras, and why the bonds formed out on the course meant more than the miles.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Levi’s fourth World Team Championships and his 86-yard performance
• Why his training looked different this year and how he went farther despite doing less
• Managing early muscle tightness, chilly nights, and hot afternoon temperatures
• Getting more sleep than most runners during the first night
• The mental low points that came with running for days and how the team helped him push through
• Sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and the unforgettable moment Levi accidentally asked Jon Noll to “tuck him in”
• Running alongside teammates like Mark and Nick to help everyone make it back in time
• How John and Greg helped Levi through his final yard by giving him one simple job: follow Jon’s shoes
• Why Levi let his crew take charge of his food choices and how it helped him avoid stomach issues
• His experience with caffeine, mental fog, and the questions he’s taking into future races
• Why the friendships and shared experiences mattered more than his final yard count
• How the rising at-large qualifying standard could shape future World Championship teams
• What Levi hopes to carry into future backyard ultras: helping others, building friendships, and giving back to the sport

Levi also reflects on the special bond among Team USA athletes, from reconnecting with returning teammates to building new friendships with runners he had only recently met. His biggest takeaway is a reminder of what makes backyard ultras so unique: you might be racing as an individual, but you don't have to face the hard hours alone.

Connect with Levi:

• Instagram: @way_co_ultra_runner
• Facebook: Levi Yoder
• Strava: Levi Yoder

🎙️ After the Last Yard continues with more stories from Team USA and the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Megan Smyth joins Jaci Wilson on The One More Hour Podcast for another episode of After the Last Yard, a special series featuring Team USA athletes reflecting on the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

After earning her place on Team USA with a massive 77-yard performance at Banana Slug, Megan headed to Big’s Backyard Ultra ready to see how far she could go. She completed 82 yards, set a new personal best, and became the last woman standing at the World Team Championships, all while helping Team USA secure the team victory.

But for Megan, the experience was about much more than the numbers.

In this conversation, Megan shares what it was like to compete at the legendary Big’s Backyard Ultra, how the team’s willingness to support one another changed the race, and why she believes teamwork helped so many athletes push beyond their previous limits.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Going from a big PR at Summit to a 77-yard performance at Banana Slug and earning a spot on Team USA
• What surprised Megan about the Big’s course, from the technical trails and climbing to the heat and extra fueling demands
• The decision to transition to the road loops earlier and how the team adapted together
• Why teamwork was one of the biggest keys to Team USA’s success, including the legendary “Ron Express” and a full-team lap
• Sleep deprivation, accidental naps, audiobook tricks, and singing to stay awake
• Nutrition strategies that worked, from smoothies and caffeine pills to Megan’s unconventional ham, cheese, and pickle roll-ups
• Why there’s no single perfect strategy for pacing, fueling, or getting sleep in a backyard ultra
• Becoming the last woman standing at 82 yards and why Megan was still disappointed when an ankle tendon injury forced her to stop
• The lessons Megan is taking into future backyard ultras and her upcoming 24-hour race
• What made the Team USA experience so special, and why the team championship meant even more to her than her individual achievement

Megan’s biggest takeaway? You don't have to do it all alone. Whether you're struggling through a night loop or having a great stretch, being willing to ask for help, and offer it to someone else, can make a difference.

Connect with Megan:
Instagram: @runningnutmeg84

🎙️ After the Last Yard continues with more stories from Team USA and the 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website

Ron Wireman has been to Big’s Backyard Ultra for both the team and individual championships, but the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships gave him a new perspective on what it means to race for something bigger than yourself.

After battling years of injuries, Ron entered the race as an alternate and worked his way back into shape with a focused training approach. He ultimately completed 42 yards at Big’s, and while the result wasn't what he hoped for, the experience left him more motivated than ever to return.

In this episode of After the Last Yard, Ron takes us behind the scenes of Team USA’s championship experience, sharing the team’s strategy, the controversial course decisions, the challenges of racing through difficult conditions, and the moments that showed just how much athletes can accomplish when they work together.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Coming back from injury: Ron’s history with Achilles tendinitis, hamstring and knee issues, and how he approached training in the months leading up to Big’s.
• The difference between racing for yourself and racing for a team: How Team USA approached the World Championships with a shared strategy and a commitment to helping one another keep going.
• The course controversy: Why Team USA voted to change its course, the decision to run the road loop during daylight, and the practical considerations behind those choices.
• Teamwork over individual performance: Why Ron believes Harvey sacrificed his own race to help teammates and give Team USA the best chance to win.
• Nutrition, setbacks, and lessons learned: What Ron took away from his 42-yard performance and the things he wants to improve before his next backyard ultra.
• Knowing when to push and when to protect your body: How years of injuries have changed Ron’s perspective on the risks of racing through pain.
• What comes next: Why Ron is eager to return to the backyard format, his upcoming goals, and the possibility of racing at Last Soul Ultra.

Ron’s story is a reminder that a race result doesn't tell the whole story. Sometimes the biggest takeaway isn't the number of yards you complete, but what you learn, how you show up for your teammates, and how much more you want to do when it's over.

Follow Ron Wireman:
Instagram: @wired_ron
Follow Big Miles, Ron’s cat, on Instagram: @LazCatStanding

The Road to Bigs, After the Last Yard, continues with more Team USA athlete post-race interviews!

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a quick review. It helps more runners find the show and keep going when they want to stop.

📲 Connect with me on Instagram → @onemorehourpodcast

📩 Got a story about going one more? I’d love to hear it. Email me at → theonemorehourpodcast@gmail.com

🎁 Freebie → 5 Mental Traps Backyard Runners Fall Into (and How to Fix Them)

⭐️ Learn more about working with me on my website