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

Welcome to the post-race edition of The Road to Bigs, After the Last Yard, a special series for the Backyard Ultra Team World Championships, where I sit down with members of Team USA to talk about their experience, the highs, the lows, the lessons learned, and what comes next.

Nick Steel ran 94 yards (391+ miles) at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships, helping Team USA secure the team victory. But his experience at Big's was about much more than the distance.

In this post-race conversation, Nick shares the behind-the-scenes stories we didn't get to see on the livestream, from howling at coyotes and playing Minecraft during the early yards to the sleep deprivation, struggles, and teamwork that defined the race.

We talk about:

• The power of teamwork: Helping Greg through a difficult yard, lending Scott a knee band, and how John and Levi helped Nick when sleep deprivation nearly took him out.
• The moment that changed everything: Nick was ready to quit during yard 94, but hearing Ava encourage him helped him get back up and finish the yard.
• Sleep and recovery: How a few minutes of sleep completely changed his mental state and what he'll do differently in future backyard ultras.
• The course and race rules: Nick's thoughts on the technical trail loop, the road loop, and the confusion surrounding communication, crew, and social media rules.
• The lessons from Team Champs: How running 94 yards changed his perspective on what he's capable of and why helping others can be just as important as your own performance.
• What's next: Nick's goal of completing 301 100-mile races in 2026, his plans for 2027, and his hope to return to the world championships.

Nick also reflects on finding joy in running, the importance of living in the moment instead of constantly comparing yourself to your past performances, and why he believes every runner is capable of more than they think.

🎙️ Follow Nick Steel:
Instagram: @nicksteelruns
YouTube: @NicholasSteelEndurance
Facebook
Strava

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

What can the world's best backyard ultra runners teach you about your next race?

The 2026 Backyard Ultra Team World Championships featured (it's still going at the time of this recording!!!) athletes pushing beyond 100 hours, running through multiple nights, and discovering just how far they could go. But you don't have to run 100 yards to learn from the best.

This episode breaks down 10 lessons from the Backyard Ultra Team World Championships that you can apply to your own backyard ultra, whether you're chasing your first 24 hours, trying to break through a plateau, wanting to run 70 yards, or looking to push your personal best even further.

You'll learn why you should:

• Get off your feet early and make recovery a habit from the very first lap.
• Close your eyes, even if you can't sleep, to give your brain a break from constant stimulation.
• Have a variety of fueling options to combat palate fatigue and keep eating when your favorite foods stop sounding appealing.
• Prepare your crew to reduce your mental load, solve problems, and help you execute your race plan.
• Run boring, repeatable laps instead of wasting energy trying to bank time early.
• Protect your buffer and manage your time between laps so the clock doesn't end your race.
• Expect to suffer and learn how to navigate the low moments without assuming your race is over.
• Plan beyond yard 24 instead of allowing the 24-hour mark to become an automatic stopping point.
• Give and accept help because you don't have to navigate every low alone.
• Recognize that your personal best isn't your ceiling. Your past performance is information, not a limit on what's possible next.

The biggest takeaway? You don't need to be a world-class athlete to apply world-class principles. Small decisions around pacing, fueling, recovery, crew support, and mindset can make a meaningful difference in how far you go.

Ready to build your backyard ultra strategy?

Join Jaci's free workshop (recording available), You Know How to Run, But Do You Know How to Backyard? Learn how to approach pacing, fueling, mindset, crew, race-day logistics, and execution so you can prepare to go farther than ever before.

Keep learning. Keep experimenting. And remember: you don't have to figure out the entire race right now. You just have to figure out the next hour.

👉 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

The World Backyard Ultra Team Championships kick off October 17, and Team USA is heading to Big’s Backyard in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, to take on the best backyard ultra runners in the world around the world.

In this episode, Jaci breaks down five key factors she’ll be watching as the race unfolds, from pacing restraint and fueling decisions to sleep strategies, team dynamics, and the importance of depth over individual performances. With every yard contributing to the team’s overall result, the question isn’t just who can go the farthest, but how many athletes can keep going when the race gets hard.

Can Team USA put multiple runners over 100 yards? Who will adapt when their plans fall apart? And how will teammates balance individual race strategies with the shared goal of helping the team go as far as possible?

Jaci also explores why the strongest-looking runners early aren’t necessarily the ones who last, why patience is a competitive advantage, and what we can learn by watching the best backyard ultra athletes in the world tackle new challenges.

Whether you're a backyard ultra runner, a fan of the sport, or following Team USA on the road to the World Championships, this episode will help you watch the race with a deeper understanding of the strategy, decision-making, and mental resilience that make backyard ultras so fascinating.

🎧 Catch up on The Road to Big’s, the special series featuring pre-race interviews with members of Team USA.

📺 Follow the Backyard Ultra World Championships live on YouTube starting October 17, and watch the lessons unfold one yard at a time.

👉 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

Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

Jennifer Russo is heading back to Big’s for her sixth consecutive year. With more than a dozen backyard ultras under her belt, a resume packed with 100- and 200-mile races, and a 2023 performance that made her the first woman to run 300 miles in the backyard format, Jennifer has been a major part of the growth of women’s participation in the sport.

In this episode, Jennifer and Jaci talk about:

• What keeps bringing her back to Big’s year after year
• The unique dynamic of a Team USA year and this year’s mix of veterans and newcomers
• Why she’s especially excited to see three women on Team USA
• The challenges of the Big’s course, especially the cold nights and the third day
• Her strategy for conserving energy and hanging farther back this year
• Why she tries not to know what yard she’s on
• What she’s learned from 100- and 200-mile races and what the backyard has taught her in return
• Her experience becoming the first woman to reach 300 miles in a backyard ultra
• The importance of not comparing your race to what everyone else is doing
• What she hopes to learn about herself at this year’s Team Championships
• The grit she believes she brings to Team USA
• Why she wants to run with gratitude and give everything she has

Jennifer also shares her prediction for Team USA and why she thinks it’s time for a woman to break 100 yards.

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into race day, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 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

Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

Jon Noll is heading back to Big’s for his sixth consecutive year, after setting the all-American record last year with 111 hours and 462.5 miles.

In this episode, Jon and Jaci talk about:

• Why Big’s has been his primary racing focus for the past five years
• Why he prefers the team years and the camaraderie they create
• What makes this Team USA squad so exciting
• How his training and approach have evolved over the years
• His biggest change in sleep strategy: stop stressing about sleep and rest whenever you can
• Running through the night with Harvey Lewis and the power of having someone beside you
• What went wrong during night five last year and how that experience is shaping this year’s plan
• His “one hour at a time” approach to an event that could last 100+ hours
• Ham and cheese sandwiches, oatmeal, caffeine, and fueling late in the race
• Why knowing the Big’s course so well can be an advantage
• The role he hopes to play in helping his teammates through the day loops
• His prediction for Team USA and why he thinks three or four Americans could reach 100 hours
• And the one thing that matters most to Jon: pushing all the way to his limit

Follow Jon:
Strava
Instagram @jonnoll
Facebook

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into race day, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 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