From July 25–29, 2025, the Biotropika Ultra Trail took place in Leningrad Oblast — and it was the largest backyard race in Russian history.
Ivan Zaborsky has set a new Russian record in Backyard Ultra! He completed 710.8 km in 106 hours — that’s 106 loops.
This incredible result was only possible thanks to Petr Zharikov, who held on for 105 loops (704.1 km). Had he dropped out earlier, the race would have ended.
The previous Russian record — 81 loops — was set by Ildar Kamaletdinov a year ago.
Ivan and Petr have pushed Russian backyard ultra running to an entirely new level!
Just 13 hours short of the world record — 119 loops. But that’s for now.
The essence of the backyard format is this: every hour, runners line up to complete a 6.706 km loop. If you don’t start on time the next hour, you’re out. The last runner standing must complete one final loop to win.
Top five finishers:
- Ivan Zaborsky — 106 loops (710.6 km)
- Petr Zharikov — 105 loops (704.1 km)
- Mikhail Zaruba — 94 loops (630.3 km)
- Mikhail Zaruba — 94 loops (630.3 km)
- Vadim Sharkov — 85 loops (570 km)
All five athletes have qualified for the individual World Ultra Running Championship in Tennessee, USA — held on the farm of Lazarus Lake, the legendary founder of survival-style races.
