Sherwood Pines Backyard Ultra – 2026

Date: Saturday 28th March 2026

Strava miles: 141.69 miles 

Elevation: 8,340 ft /  2,542 m

Weather: Breezy build up to a tornado

Start: Sherwood Pines

Route type: 4.2 mile laps

Conditions: Dry, mostly easy trail

Website link: Sherwood Pines Backyard Ultra by Rasselbock

Describe the route in three words: endless fun pines

Sherwood Pines BYU 2026 – Race Report

Lap description: Leaving the corral, follow the track round the event village then left past a gate, short and soft woodland downhill to then turn right on to a slightly undulating and reasonably long hard packed wide path. Turn left to go up a hill which levels out a bit in the middle passing a remembrance area. Two right hand turns to take you through the zig zag forest, this snakes around and is the most / only technical part of the course, single file, tree roots, potential mud in places. Upon exiting the zig zag turn left onto another undulating uphill path before a left turn down the long slightly downhill and very runnable wide trail. This delivers you out onto another wide and hard packed trail with a steep downhill. Bear right to a long wide hard path, pines to your left and more bushy to your right. Left turn to take you onto softer ground, more undulations before reaching the green gate which takes you up towards Go Ape. Right turn through Go Ape and then a left to enter the event village to retrace your steps to cross the line into the corral.

Sherwood Pines BYU 2026  – Race Report

Just over a year has passed since setting my backyard ultra PB on this course. And what a year it has been! I’ve been chasing Sarah Perry’s record (she is number 1 UK female and I am number 2) but I have been a touch unlucky with my choice of races. When I represented England at Highlander last year, we were sure to see many records fall – course (male and female), English, Scottish and Welsh, however the race ended up being aborted on the 32nd yard despite there being 7 of us left and all very strong.

Then there was Hardwick Hall last September, we’d been told from the start that strong winds might mean the race would need to be stopped, and sure enough, that race was also aborted as the site had to be evacuated, we’d been told we had up to 43 yards before needing to evacuate, as that was neither my PB nor the female record it was not worth it. As soon as I was told of the 43 yard cap (after the 31st yard) then I knew it was time to bow out as there was no point in continuing as neither of my goals could be achieved.

In October Sarah went to Bigs Backyard Ultra and achieved a solid 95 yards, this now meant my target from last year of 60 yards (to get the UK female record) was significantly raised. Sod it, I’ll aim for 100 yards, may as well as no women has achieved that. What with the most solid and elite field I’ve certainly competed in, I was very much looking forward to chasing some dreams at Sherwood Pines.

Crew Set Up

The plan was to be there until Wednesday and I organised crew accordingly. I booked an Airbnb around 6 minutes drive from the site all the way through until Wednesday. I had coach Andy for the first 12 hours and from there Francis would be on night shifts and Mike and Sarah would be on day shifts. Sarah has a campervan so this also meant I had an on site fridge. Crew would be able to eat, shower and sleep at the Airbnb, always remaining fresh, and I had the option of fresh chilled or cooked food (due to the facilities at the Airbnb and on site fridge) available to me at all times. It was the perfect set up.

The Field

It was a stacked field with a ton of people from team England – Keith Burge (41), Matt Gayton (40), Phil Marshall (39), Paul Fenn and Luke Carter plus team Scotland Iain Bethune (51) and Mike Raffan (41). Alex Sweet (58), Andy Imms (41), Chris Parry, Eleanor Gallon (36), Peter Johnston who got 41 yards at Bigs representing Ireland, you can see what an awesome field we had and these are just the people who have sprung to mind first… there were more!

Race Morning

Race morning did not get off to a good start. You know how people say they didn’t get any sleep but this usually means they still had pockets of sleep? Well I did not get any sleep. None at all, it was a very long and frustrating night. I developed a headache in the small hours, my stomach was cramping and with incredible timing, my period started. Fan-blooming-tastic. Let’s just say I was not in the best of moods on race morning. I was let’s just say a little bit grumpy. I’d successfully navigated my way through this training block with no missed sessions, no injury or illness and in top form so to start the race knackered and with a headache was not ideal. As we left the Airbnb, Fran turned the wrong way and I stroppily said, “Oh for God’s sake!” When we parked up, I gave Fran a big hug and apologised for being in an unpleasant mood.

Andy arrived and was very excited about a surprise he’d put in our gazebo for me (Fran and I had set up the day before), I was sincerely hoping it was an Easter Egg but kept that thought to myself as Andy’s idea of a surprise could have been anything, I wouldn’t put it past him to install a treadmill in the gazebo. When we arrived at camp, Andy unzipped the door, “Surprise!”, and in my sleep deprived headachy state I could not see anything in there. “Do you like it?” “Ermmmmmmmm.” It was a bit awkward. Then finally, my eyes settled on the biggest Mini Eggs Easter egg ever and I was elated, although somewhat embarrassed for my lack of working brain /eyes.

My dysfunctional brain continued as I went and lined up behind two people for race registration. Not only were these two people not in a queue, I was not even in the right tent. I stood in the ‘queue’ chatting to them for at least 5 minutes. I bumped into Gemma and Neenie (fellow Protein Rebel ambassadors) and Alice of traffic cone llama fame and finally made it into the correct tent where there was queue and got my race bib. Number 1. That will do nicely. I had a big hug with Lisa from Walkers Catering, she is my culinary hero throughout all Rasselbock events.

Iain popped in to my tent to say “hi” and asked if I was surprised to see him, not really. I don’t know the guy that well but I know him well enough to see that he is protective over his course records (rightly so) and as soon as I saw Northern Traverse had been cancelled I felt pretty sure he’d be on the start line this weekend. If you read last year’s blog you’ll know that Iain and I didn’t exactly hit it off, however, our paths have since crossed and certainly from my end it’s all water under the bridge and he’s actually a pretty decent guy. When it was confirmed the evening before that Iain would be there I was genuinely delighted, it just meant one more strong runner to add into an already stacked field.

Alex Sweet and I met just before the race start, we’d already had a video call and been texting a bit as we both have similar goals. Help and push each other and anyone else who wants in on it to go as far as possible. Alex was much taller than I expected and I liked his dressing gown and bobble hat look. Paul started talking to my on the start line, in the process removing his bucket hat and massive shades to show me it was really him, I found this quite funny as it was as though he was there under cover. We’re a funny old bunch, I love it.

Let’s Go!

My first yard was really interesting – sleep deprived, excited, headache, I felt like a coiled spring, it was certainly a mix of emotions, tied in with dozens of memories flooding back from last year, good and bad, as the very familiar course unfolded step by step in front of me. I thought that this could get interesting, certainly the memory flashbacks were completely unexpected. Luckily I just needed that one yard to get all of that out my system and I settled into a rhythm. Admittedly the first three yards were too fast and I tried to sneak in without Andy noticing the clock as I knew he’d have something to say abut my times (45, 47 and 44 minutes).

My average yard time this year was 50:38, last year it was 52:21. Just goes to show how having the right coaches can make such a big difference (Andy Wilson Duracoaching and Ed Walker B2B Personal Training).

The first 12 hours I was definitely in an odd mood, I felt tired and my headache was not shifting. I started sleeping from around 6 hours in. Just as I thought I may need to take some paracetamol for my headache it lifted. Francis swapped with Andy and as night set in I felt pretty ok, still a tad tired but I kept up with plenty of naps.

Come morning my tiredness lifted with the sunrise and it really felt like a new day, headache long gone and as though I’d had a full night’s sleep. I was really enjoying the chats with everyone and just felt pretty darn good.

I’d been eating well, cheesy chips, halloumi and chips, pizza, SNACK’d bars, Hula Hoops, nougat (a new favourite), Super Noodle, rice pudding, Biscoff laden crumpet, soup and pitta, tea and biscuits… to name a few.

As we finished the 32nd yard I felt relieved that the ‘cursed’ yard was done (January ‘25 I timed out on 32 and July ‘25 and September ‘25 the races got aborted on 32).

The event weather had been pretty interesting, a brief hail storm and brief rain storm early on. Random wind gusts throughout and the night temperature had been low but manageable, I’d started each night yard fully zipped up, hood on, gloves on but returned from the yard gloves off and coat tied around my waist. As we stood on the 34th yard I was in particularly high spirts. There was 11 of us left, I was having a little boogie to the music and did a few squats to make Fran laugh. As Eric called 3, 2, 1 a sudden gust of wind whipped through us all, we all commented as we left the campsite how odd the wind was. The temperature had risen significantly and it was a somewhat tropical 12 degrees.. Running along the first flat section the wind was whipping all sorts of stuff into my face – pollen, dust, leaves. I recall thinking that I could do with protection googles and was genuinely worried I’d come in off this yard with sore eyes. As I got to the zig zag I could see Mike. I thought he was having a pee. Then I saw his face, he looked really confused. “It’s this way Mike” I called climbing over a fallen tree. Mike counted three more trees down and said that we should phone Eric to tell him. “No don’t do that!” I said “He might stop the race!” After a moment my brain caught up with me. We had just climbed over a tree that was on our direct path. There were other fallen trees. We were in a forest. It was windy. “Mike, I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean that, of course we need to call Eric.” Luckily Mike had already made the call, Eric had informed him that a tornado had ripped through the campsite shortly after we had left and that we were to be evacuated to a classroom which was on the course. A few of us grouped together: Mike, Andy, Alex, myself and another I think. We made it to the classroom, it was pretty exhilarating. It was dark, yet a full moon, we could hear the trees creaking and swaying, the sound of forest debris falling all around us, there was an ominous feeling in the air. It felt like we were on an adventure, you could say we were running for our lives, it felt fun but then I’d think back to that fallen tree across our path and I felt scared. I ran a bit faster, leaving the others behind just wanting to get to the safety of the classroom as soon as I could.

Once inside, Eric did a head count. Mark was there (Timing Monkey and the RD from my first ever BYU). I asked him for a hug, I still felt really jolly, it hadn’t sunk in yet. When the gusts died down Eric gave us the go ahead to run back to the big marque in the campsite. We dashed there and I went via the start/finish line so I could do my finish line burpee, to be honest, it felt a bit sad. The last three backyard ultras I have done have all been aborted.

In the marquee I phone my husband. Telling my tale of woe out loud I started to cry. This story can’t really be made up can it? I’ve worked so, so hard for this record. I’ve learned so much since last year and applied myself 100% at all times. I’ve taken everything very seriously – run training, gym work, mindset training, nutrition, rest days, supplements (Protein Rebel collagen and magnesium), physio, sleep, lifestyle. I am enjoying it all so much but to have my hopes and dreams shattered and ripped away from me for the third time is pretty soul destroying. 

Eric and I had a very miserable exchange as I sat in the truck about to leave. “What’s the point?” he said. All the work he puts into these events and the weather puts a stop to it all. “What’s the point?” I said. All my hard work feels as though it’s all for nothing. But it’s not for nothing is it? After a good night’s sleep and plenty of refuelling, Fran and I went back on Tuesday to walk the course and do a bit of walking therapy. One thing we both agreed, is when I get that record, the journey to that destination will have been a rollercoaster, and one story worth sharing.

Some memorable moments:

• My crew were exceptional, a formula one pit stop. I had maximum time in the tent and I’d go into the coral facing the clock so I could watch the time. Food and water bottle would be put into my hands and taken away again, hand washing or teeth brushing would be seamlessly facilitated, with 30 seconds to go the dry robe removed from my shoulders and a fist bump given. It felt pretty cool to be honest.
• Hearing the first owl on night one, and the birdsong come morning.
• Having Mike and Sarah one on each leg massaging them.
• Being surprised with cheesy mash.
• Eating Rich Tea biscuits in one having dunked them in my tea (crew were a mixture of shocked and impressed).
• Laughing at the fact that I ate a cheese and pickle sandwich, Petis Filous, marshmallows, cold chips and salt tablets without coming up for air then wondering if my tummy might have something to say about that (it didn’t).
• Puzzling over Fran’s behaviour on my first cup of caffeinated tea, he tried to send me out with caffeine Cliff Bloks and made me another cup of tea when I got back (this goes against all my caffeine intake rules). Turns out that first cup of caffeinated tea was de-caf but I’d had that many biscuits with it I hadn’t realised! Fran confessed to me a few days later that they’d run out of tea bags when he’d gone to prep it!
• Chatting with a chap who’d never run further than 25km and supporting and cheering him to a 100km distance PB, what a legend.
• Having many lovely chat’s with Anne Crawford, being able to diagnose her injury and seeing her get a PB.
• Seeing Jim Markley more than doubling his PB!
• Washing my face with hot water and soap felt AMAZING at around the 23 hour mark.

What I wore: Saucony Peregrine 12, Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar, buff, Sweaty Betty power leggings, Injinji socks, Montane long sleeved Dart, Protein Rebel tee shirt, custom chicken gaiters made by Lesley from the Sewing Shed.

Lead up: I’d had a pretty solid training block leading up to Sherwood Pines. Lots of work in the gym under the guidance of Ed my PT, Andy sprinkled a few treadmill hikes around my run training, which varied in focus, maybe not as much yoga as I have done in the past but still some thrown in for good measure. I’d done my Balls to Cancer run in February, a good 70 mountain miles and there was where I really got to feel that the hard work is paying off.

Summary: I felt incredible on those last few laps and was really excited to see what lay ahead, I was genuinely feeling as though I had hundreds of miles in the tank (I needed to if I was set on getting 100 yards!) I was really pleased with how everything went, I did not need to employ any mindset tactics as I was having such a good time out there, no negative thoughts that needed to be battered away.

My crew really were exceptional, I love how people who have not met before can just gel so well and work together seamlessly as a team. They all brought their own unique and special skillset and I really am so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life. The ultra running community really is the best! Andy, Francis, Sarah and Mike, THANK YOU so much for being so awesome and going above and beyond.

Lessons learned

• My fuelling plan was identical to the one used at Hardwick with a few additions thrown in, this is a plan I shall stick to as it works really well.
• Starting a race with no sleep and a headache surprising ly has no effect on performance
• Banking sleep early suits me

Results

Chip time: 28hr 41m 11s

Fast lap: 44:54 (yard 3)

Slow lap: 55:11 (yard 18)

Average lap: 50:38

Overall: final 11 / 200

Lady: 1 / 54

Sherwood Pines BYU 2026 results: click here

Lap Times for Elizabeth Gatherer – Sherwood Pines BYU 2026

Podcast

This is the most recent pod that I have done which talks a bit about backyard ultra

Here for the Long Run – Lizzie Gatherer’s Epic Balls to Cancer Challenge for Prostate Cancer UK plus Achieving Backyard Ultra Royalty Status