INOV8 athlete Sarah Perry made history when setting an incredible new Backyard Ultra Women’s World Record of 95 laps (also called yards).
Competing at the 2025 Big's Backyard Ultra Individual World Championships in Tennessee, US, she exceeded the previous women’s world record of 87 laps, set by American Megan Eckert in 2014.
In the process, Sarah also set a new UK national record, bettering Matt Blackburn’s previous record which also stood at 87 laps.
The INOV8 athlete was the last woman standing in the race, with Eckert racking up 92 laps as her nearest challenger.
Sarah eventually dropped from the race with an increasingly sore back injury shortly after completing lap number 95. In total, Sarah was racing for 95 hours (almost four full days).
Sarah shares her post-race reflections in the Q&A below, revealing her strategy, memorable moments, toughest challenges, and much more.
How do you reflect on the race and your incredible achievement?
The first thing I said when I finished was that I was disappointed to not get to at least 100 yards. With some time to reflect, I'm very proud of what I achieved. I had a really difficult race, but I did what I came to do: my very best! I left it all out there and ran until I couldn't anymore.
What were your highlights and hardest moments?
It took me two whole days to warm up. My legs felt awful and I seriously questioned what I had done wrong and considered that maybe I had overtrained. I trusted the process and thankfully came out of the other side and finally found what can only be described as a flow state.
There were many lows including IT band pain, torrential rain and sickness.
The highlights are endless, I was literally living my dreams and couldn't believe that I was competing at Big's, in Laz's (Lazarus Lake) backyard with people that I usually watch from afar.
Despite the setbacks I absolutely loved every minute and was so grateful to be there.
I listened to Ivo Steyaert (race runner-up) speak when he finished and he said that he doesn't remember the suffering of the previous laps. I can totally relate with that. I always find something to be grateful for, something to enjoy and when things are difficult. I always believe that it will get better.
What does it mean to you to hold the new women’s world record?
I'm shocked but thrilled. I may only hold on to the crown for a short while but the experience was mega and will be etched in my memory forever.
When did the back pain start and how far did it limit you?
Something started going wrong with my back early on and on the footage I look to be leaning forwards from 70 yards. It gradually got worse until I was really struggling to straighten up at all.
I didn't communicate what was happening with my back as I didn't want to vocalise it as that seemed to make it real. I'd really struggled more than I thought I would through days 1 & 2 but really found a flow from day 3.
I really think I would have done 100+ yards if it wasn't for the injury. The 100 will always be there for me and I've learnt a valuable lesson - the Belgian team’s physio said she may have been able to help me manage the back injury if I had told her sooner!
What was the camaraderie like amongst the runners, especially the four women?
I adored lining up with the other ladies. I spent lots of time with all of the ladies and a lot of our laps felt like we were just hanging out. I had a really special connection with Edit (Furesz), my tent buddy. I learnt lots from watching Edit and her crew.
Edit showed kindness towards me and encouraged me, even when she was struggling herself (she completed 76 yards). She's an incredibly strong lady and I hope she will return to Big's in two years’ time.
The camaraderie was truly incredible. Matthew Blackburn & Hendrick Boury helped me through day 2 when I was dying a death, making sure I got in on time. They both must be two of the nicest men on the UK ultra scene.
Ivo Steyaert was the loveliest person to spend time with and he really taught me that backyard running can be a team sport.
I saw so many acts of kindness and I quickly joined in by scooping runners away from the drops at the sides of the road or chatting with them to stop them falling asleep.
Later in the race, when some of the other crew teams noticed that Luke (Sarah’s partner) was crewing on his own they started bringing food to our tent. My favourite treat was pancakes. It's amazing how much of a boost an unexpected act of kindness can be!
I think that the people and the interactions made this experience truly incredible.
How much sleep did you have during laps?
I finally started sleeping well on night two. Sam Harvey (fellow Backyard runner) came into my tent and firmly told me I need to run faster night laps and that I need to sleep. This advice almost definitely changed the course of my race. With a little bit of extra time on the night loops, I was able to sleep from 3-6 minutes after every lap.
On night four I was getting deep sleep and sometimes felt like I had slept for a long time when in reality it was just a few minutes. This is a new experience for me as previously I haven't gone long enough to need to sleep.
One thing I noticed is that the sleep deprivation really gets to people after night three. We all definitely fell asleep on our feet at some point (which usually coincided with falling down one of the drops to the side of the road), but others became confused and disoriented. Sleep is the key to going long in the backyard.
How do you feel about all the attention that’s been coming your way?
I absolutely love the messages from people saying they have been inspired to take on a challenge or that their children have been watching and cheering me on.
The support has been overwhelming and I'm so appreciative of it however, I don't do what I do to be noticed; I love the sport and enjoy challenging myself - I'd do the same if nobody was watching.
What key INOV8 gear did you use?
The ROADFLY MAX shoes were super cushioned for the night loop, which was on the roads. We actually ended up doing a 37-hour block on the road because of the weather, so I was super happy to have them. The hot pink colour way made it easy to spot me a mile off.
The TRAILFLY MAX were great in the woods over mixed terrain on the trail loop but still cushioned enough for the compact tracks.
I was glad to have my RACEPAC 8 for laps when I needed to take out snacks, drinks or layers with me.
My windproof layer was perfect to pop on at the start and end of laps but light enough to mean I didn't have to carry lots of weight.
SARAH’S BACKYARD ULTRA KIT LIST
*All photos by Jacob Zocherman, taken at the 2025 Big's Backyard Ultra Individual World Championships
