81-yard backyard world best
Completed 543.186 kilometers at Suffolk to surpass the previous world-best mark.
Source-checked athlete record · Updated Aug 18, 2026
John Stocker
Former backyard world-record holder and three-time Thames Ring champion
John Stocker set a backyard world best with 81 yards in 2021 and has won the 250-mile Thames Ring three times across an extensive ultra career.
United KingdomBicester, EnglandEvolveM45–49
The record so far
John Stocker is a British ultrarunner from Bicester whose race history spans backyard competition, canal ultras, 24-hour racing, and mountain events beyond 200 miles.
At the 2021 Suffolk Backyard Ultra, Stocker completed 81 yards for 543.186 kilometers, breaking the world-best mark at the time. Matthew Blackburn’s 80-yard assist produced a 43-yard final two-person stand, still listed by BackyardStats as the longest in the format.
Stocker has won the 250-mile Thames Ring in 2017, 2022, and 2023, with a best time of 58:52:12. His broader record includes an outright win at the 615-mile Monarch’s Way Ultra and finishes at Badwater, Spartathlon, the Spine Race, Tahoe 200, and the Grand Union Canal Race.
Defining performances
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Three-time Thames Ring 250 champion
Won the 250-mile canal race in 2017, 2022, and 2023, with a best of 58:52:12.
Three consecutive Suffolk Backyard victories
Won the event with 41 yards, 81 yards, and 43 yards.
Monarch’s Way Ultra champion
Won the 615-mile race in 11 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, and 36 seconds.
Performance history
| Date | Event | Performance | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country to Capital43-mile trail | 8:42:38 | 163rd overall | View ↗ | |
| Lakeland 100105-mile trail | 33:07:42 | 158th overall | View ↗ | |
| Backyard Ultra World Team Championships — United KingdomBackyard ultra | 38 yards · 254.828 km | Team United Kingdom | View ↗ | |
| Suffolk Backyard UltraBackyard ultra | 74 yards · 496.244 km | 3rd overall | View ↗ | |
| Thames Ring 250250-mile canal race | 69:56:11 | 1st overall | View ↗ | |
| Badwater 135135-mile road | 37:07:17 | 20th man · 31st overall | View ↗ | |
| Suffolk Backyard UltraBackyard ultra | 43 yards · 288.358 km | 1st overall | View ↗ | |
| Thames Ring 250250-mile canal race | 59:51:32 | 1st overall | View ↗ | |
| Suffolk Backyard UltraBackyard ultra | 81 yards · 543.186 km | 1st overall · Former world best | View ↗ | |
| Suffolk Backyard UltraBackyard ultra | 41 yards · 274.946 km | 1st overall | View ↗ | |
| Monarch’s Way Ultra615-mile trail | 11d 23:30:36 | 1st overall | View ↗ | |
| Thames Ring 250250-mile canal race | 58:52:12 | 1st overall | View ↗ |
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