Australian ultra-runner Phil Gore has set a new unofficial record by completing 152 hours in a backyard ultra event, pushing the boundaries of endurance running with minimal sleep and continuous physical exertion. The event took place over six days and 15 hours at Armadale Soccer Club in Forrestdale, a suburb of Perth, where Gore ran a 6.71-kilometre loop every hour, day and night.

Backyard ultras follow a unique format requiring participants to complete each lap within an hour, with no set finish time—the race ends only when a single runner remains. Unlike previous events capped by a final lap after a competitor’s dropout, Gore’s self-initiated challenge, dubbed Project 168, aimed to run continuously for a full week, doubling the traditional Backyard record of 84 hours. Gore, who holds the official world record at 119 hours set in 2025, fell just short of that goal, completing the 152nd lap before being forced to stop about midway through the 153rd.

Throughout the event, Gore’s sleep was restricted to no more than 15 minutes between laps, often entering deep sleep stages within his short rest periods. Despite the limited rest, he described struggling most with waking and preparing to start each new lap. His pace slowed noticeably in the final hours, and after approximately 25 minutes into the 153rd lap, he acknowledged that continuing was not feasible and ceased the attempt.

Gore’s approach to nutrition during the ultra was varied, relying on a combination of sugary snacks, such as Nerd clusters and jelly cups, alongside more substantial meals including meat pies, Coco Pops with chocolate milk, and occasional takeout items like cheeseburgers. All non-running activities, including eating, sleeping, gear changes, and basic hygiene, were squeezed into the brief intervals between laps.

The gruelling effort was supported by a small crew of friends and family and broadcast live to an expanding audience. The event also served a philanthropic purpose, raising $285,000 for Telethon, a Western Australian charity focused on funding medical research and health services for children. Gore expressed pride in surpassing his initial fundraising target despite acknowledging the significant physical toll the run took, leaving him reliant on crutches for days afterward.

Reflecting on the challenge, the 40-year-old athlete described Project 168 as an opportunity to explore his own limits and provide a benchmark for others in the backyard ultra community. He is collaborating with medical professionals to develop strategies to avoid similar physical issues in future races. Although he did not reach his full target, Gore’s performance represents a significant advancement in the niche endurance discipline and highlights the extreme demands of backyard ultra running.