Crewing · backyard ultra
Get the Edge with an Experienced Backyard Ultra Crew
The further you go, the more your crew matters. Get experienced hands and working systems in your tent, so all you have to do is run.
Most crews are winging it
Look around the tents at any backyard ultra. Most crews are friends and family who came to help. They care about you more than anyone there. They have also never done this before, so they run on good intentions and no system.
So things get missed. The food goes on too late. Nobody is sure who is doing what. You end up making the calls yourself between loops, which is the one thing you cannot afford to spend energy on.
At loop 12 none of that costs you anything. At loop 30 it ends your race.
What changes when we are in your tent
We do not write your race plan. You have one. We study it, we go through your preferences with you, and we share our experience where it helps.
Then during the race our systems keep things tight and crisp, so all you have to worry about is running. That means:
- Your fueling is on point.
- You get the maximum amount of rest each loop.
- Your tent stays organized.
- You are not making decisions on behalf of your crew.
- Everyone in the tent has a clear role.
Who would be supporting you
Depending on the race and who is free, you would get one, two or three of us. Between us we have run backyards and crewed them, which is what lets us tell what you need before you ask for it.
Ben
Crewed at three backyards, including the Last Soul and Go One More Backyard Ultras. Certified mental performance coach, and something of a cheat code for the inner game.
Aleks
Crewed Kim Gottwald to victory at both the Go One More Backyard Ultra and the Last Soul Ultra. Ran Go One More himself in 2026, 37 loops and a top ten performance.
Aaron
Crewed Kim Gottwald to victory at the Last Soul Ultra, then ran 48 hours there himself the next year. Funny, caring, and a little crazy, which is what you want at four in the morning.
Who this is for
- You have run a backyard before and you know what the format does to you.
- You are going for 40 hours or more, or you are going for the win.
- You want people in your tent who have done this before.
If this is your first backyard, start with our free crewing tips and hand them to whoever is looking after you. That will get you a long way.
How it works
You apply
The form below takes two minutes. Your race, your date, and what you are going for.
We talk
A call to hear your plan and work out whether we are the right crew for you. We cannot take on every race, so this part matters.
We tell you who is free
Depending on your date and your preferences, that could be one of us or all three. We are also happy to work alongside whichever family and friends you want there.
We go through your plan
Before the race we study your plan and your preferences, and share our experience where it helps.
We dance
Race day never goes to the letter. We read how you are moving, adapt loop by loop, and keep the tent calm while you keep going.
Apply for a crew
Tell us about your race. We read every application and we reply either way.
Common questions
What does it cost?
We work that out with you once we have talked. It depends on the race, where it is, and how many of us come.
Do I pay for travel?
Travel is part of the same conversation. Nothing is fixed, and we would rather agree it with you than put a number on a page.
Can I choose who comes?
Tell us if you have a preference. Once we have your date we will tell you who is free, and whether that is one of us or all three.
Can you work alongside my own crew?
Yes, and it is often the best setup. We are happy to work alongside whichever family and friends you want there, with clear roles agreed in advance.
Where do you crew?
In principle, anywhere. We are based in Europe, so tell us where your race is and we will be straight with you about what is realistic.
What if you say no?
We will tell you why, and point you at the free crewing tips so your own crew can run a tighter race.
Photos by Roman Lang, Michel Böhmler and Marvin Kuhr.