There is No Finish: The Backyard Ultra Story

When the laggards arrived, they were greeted by another of the peculiar features of Big's, the 'jeerleaders'. Since 2018, the start of many laps would begin with several women performing a variant of a typical American cheerleading routine; but instead of trying to boost the athlete's morale, the jeerleaders would chant defeatist ditties at the Backyarders.

Their first effort was uncharacteristically positive: Just go big, or just go home! Who will be the one who will take the throne? By lap four, they were on typically negative form: You better not trip, you better not fall, Laz will never hear your call. A day later, they began lap 27 with Two, four, six, eight, in three more days we'll start the race.

A favourite from previous years was a twist on a famous tune: If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. Instead, they jeered If you're hurting and you know it just drop out. If you're hurting and you know it just drop out. If you're hurting and you know it, then you're probably gonna blow it, If you're hurting and you know it just drop out. Throughout the days of the race they would regularly remind the runners that they were in pain and had a lot more to endure. Their words were discouraging, but their humour and energy often brought a smile to the runners' faces as they headed out.