Russian Backyard: The Philosophy, psychology and practice of Backyard Ultra Hardcover – February 6, 2026

“Russian Backyard” — the book that will make you want to step up to the starting lineIt’s time to share what I’ve been working on lately: I’ve written a new book.Its title, “Russian Backyard,” is not about geography.The backyard ultra format was created in the United States, but just like hockey, ballet, or literature, we took the idea and refined it to its fullest potential.Today, only 23 people worldwide have managed to complete 100 or more loops. Two of them are Russian athletes — Ivan Zaborsky and Petr Zharikov. Both set their records at our Biotropika Festival, and this was no coincidence — it is the result of our approach.Russian Backyard is about meticulous course preparation and creating the most comfortable conditions possible for athletes. It is about willpower, self-overcoming, and — most importantly — mutual support and solidarity, the qualities that define the Russian character.In this book, I’ve brought together:the collective experience of the global backyard ultra community and Russia’s strongest athletes from my Backyard Academy projecttheir strategies, mindset, and mistakespractical approaches to nutrition, gear, and recoveryeverything that usually remains behind the scenes of ultra-long races“Russian Backyard” is not a motivational book.It is a practical, in-depth guide to the backyard ultra format for runners who are ready to push beyond their limits. Read more