Athlete Ivan Zaborsky ran for 106 hours at an ultra-marathon in Leningrad Oblast.

106 loops. 711 kilometers. It seems such a distance — from Moscow to Saint Petersburg — could only be covered by car. But 38-year-old runner Ivan Zaborsky proved it’s possible on foot — and even set a new Russian record. He conquered the Biotropika, held from July 25 to 29 near the village of Korobitsino in Leningrad Oblast.

The competition format, known as Backyard Ultra, requires runners to complete a 6.7-km loop every hour. Anyone who fails to finish within the hour is eliminated — until only one runner remains. Ivan Zaborsky proved the most resilient, breaking the previous national record set by Ildar Kamaletdinov in 2024: 81 loops, or 543.1 km. Ivan covered his distance over four days and ten hours.

Zaborsky said he left the finish line with mixed emotions.

— It’s both relief and regret. Relief that I don’t have to go out for another loop. Regret that we still couldn’t beat the world record — said the athlete, explaining that rules don’t allow continuing the race alone.

The current world record holder is Australian Phil Gore, who this year completed 119 loops — 798.014 kilometers — over five days.

But this isn’t Ivan’s only record. Earlier this year, in spring 2025, he won a six-day race in France, covering 1,047 kilometers. Though Backyard Ultra covers less distance, it proved to be a true test for him. The main challenges were the heat and the lack of proper sleep. To sustain energy over 106 hours of continuous movement, he maintained a comfortable pace, leaving 10 to 25 minutes between loops for rest at camp — sometimes even catching a short nap that gave him renewed strength. He ate well too — mostly pilaf, soups, and porridge, occasionally treating himself to sweets.

— It’s important not to set rigid goals from the start. You just need to run and try to enjoy each loop. My mental benchmark was the world record of 119 loops — shared Zaborsky’s strategy. — The world record is, by nature, a temporary concept. I think we’ve made huge progress on this path. We’ll keep working to improve it.

Comparing Backyard Ultra to the six-day race, Ivan considers the former more demanding due to its unpredictable duration, the absence of deep sleep, and the need for frequent short breaks — which, physically, are harder for him than running nonstop.

«NOT ONE STEP BACK”: THE SECRET OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE

Ivan Zaborsky is a graduate of School No. 2 in Balashikha and the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. He currently heads the Corporate Financing Department at a major retail chain. His passion for ultra-running has lasted over a decade, during which he has competed in numerous races around the world. In October 2024, in Volgograd, he also set a new Russian record in the 24-hour race.

Behind every great ultra-runner stands an invisible army of support. Their role, according to the runner, is immense. When strength runs out and physical and mental fatigue accumulate, the athlete can no longer make quick decisions. All care for him is taken on by his team. At the finish line, Ivan was always met by friends and family who organized his rest, sleep, and nutrition. The ultra-runner says: “They were simply cosmic.”

By the way, Ivan admits that over all 106 loops, he never once considered dropping out. He believes his victory was made possible by smart, disciplined training — which he seamlessly combines with his personal life and office job.

— The foundation of preparation for such long events is a high weekly mileage — about 200 km. I usually train in the morning before work and in the evening after. Most of my running volume falls on weekends. On Saturdays and Sundays, my runs start at 40 kilometers and peak at up to 160 km. Mondays are always rest days. I try to eat varied and balanced meals. For recovery, I use massage, sauna, and swimming — revealed Ivan.

But the strongest motivation, according to the runner, comes from his family. Their support, their excitement during races, and knowing that someone at home is waiting and believing in him — that gives him the extra push to keep going even in the toughest hours: “They are my very best!”.

Now, Zaborsky plans to rest and recover a little — after which new running adventures await. By the end of the year, Ivan has another international race lined up.

OFFICIALLY

Nikolai Kotenkov, organizer of the Biotropika and entrepreneur:

— This was the largest Biotropika in all four years of its history — and it ended successfully! For our team, the main mission was to raise the prestige of our country in backyard ultra-running and to inspire people by showing that there are no limits — and we achieved it. Together, our team can do anything!