New year, same result for 琉璃神社 ultrarunner Michael Serani.
The 34-year-old repeated his conquest of the early Sunday, July 21, winning with 22 laps of the 6.706 kilometre course.
A Backyard Ultra is a unique ultramarathon, where competitors look to complete as many 6.706 km loops as they can. The loops must be completed within an hour, with every subsequent loop beginning on the hour. The event (hosted by Bush Babes Trail Running) was hosted at Sovereign Lake's Nordic Club.
Serani's conquest began at 7 a.m. on July 20, where he, along with 46 other participants began their race. By lap 21, at 3 a.m. on early Sunday morning, three competitors remained. Then, before lap 22 commenced, it was just Serani at the start line, as Mitchell Heron rang the DNF bell proudly, giving Serani the victory after he ran his 22nd loop.
The total mileage was 147.5 km in 22 hours. But Serani figures that as long as he kept up his special fuel with him, he could have kept going forever.
"It kind of sounds silly, but just happiness," Serani told The Morning Star, of his secret fuel. "I just love being outside and being in the trails but I think I am just a happy guy so part of the run was knowing that, if I am having fun, I feel like I can go forever."
Serani also won the inaugural edition of the Brokenagan Backyard Ultra in 2023, outlasting a game Don Cundiff to finish the race after 25 laps, which was his first ever ultramarathon, and the longest he had ever run.
"I was more of a 'for fun' runner after high school," he said. "I didn't really do longer runs until I ran a marathon in 2017. I have always loved the trails so when I stumbled upon this race, I thought it was a fun format, and now, apparently, I was running further than ever."
Serani showed up last year having "no idea how far" his body could take him. Despite having no crew 鈥� which is an individual (or more) who stays near the start/finish line and helps prep food and hydration for the racer so that they are prepared for the next lap 鈥� Serani felt surprisingly well throughout.
"I had brought enough food, and was feeling good, so I thought to myself that I guess I will just keep going," he said.
Serani said there were moments of struggle in 2024, due in part to the nearly 40 degree heat beating down on the trails, but, having his wife鈥檚 brother and sister up there, helped him continue.
"They were incredible," he explained. "Without them it would have been nearly impossible as I was able to come back from each lap and not have to do as much preparation."
Another factor fuelling his victory was charity. Prior to the race, Serani posted on his asking for individuals to donate money per lap, with the funds going towards the Community Recreational Initiatives Society (CRIS).
"I finally thought gamifying the race would be fun by asking people to put in dollar amounts per lap and that way, each lap truly has value."
Around $80 a lap was promised, which equalled to $2,200, all going towards CRIS providing adaptive, accessible, and inclusive outdoor recreational programs for persons with disabilities.
Even with all the external motivation, the mental grind of continuing to move your body can be exhausting.
"I think most people can do more than they think they can and I thought to myself, if my wife can give birth, than I can do one more lap," laughed Serani, as he and his wife will be welcoming another newborn within a month.
"It is almost a spiritual experience out there and in the end, nobody cares, you can stop at any time you want, you can keep going, but why stop if you want to experience that limit."
As for what's next, the camaraderie of the backyard event will have him back in 2025.
"The best thing about this is that it is a party," Serani said. "Dawna (Jodion), the organizer of the race, puts on the best environment as even if you are introvert, you can enjoy it from the sidelines."
For more information on the race, and other events, visit .
