Slater was the last runner standing at the North-Vic Backyard Ultras event, which began at Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton at noon on Saturday, September 12.
The backyard ultra format gives competitors an hour to complete a 6.72km loop, with another lap beginning on the hour, every hour, until only one runner remains.
Slater eventually prevailed with 37 yards, covering 248.64km and recording 30 hours, 52 minutes and 18 seconds of moving time across his successful loops.
Jason Rantall was credited as runner-up after completing 36 yards – 241.92km – before being unable to continue.
North-Vic Backyard Ultras celebrated Slater’s triumph following a dramatic weekend.
“What a roller-coaster weekend it was with so many amazing achievements to share,” organisers said.
“In the meantime … presenting your 2026 winner with 37 yards, Luke Slater.
“An amazing weekend, and definitely one to remember.
“Congrats to Luke Slater for a well deserved win!”
The victory represented another significant achievement in Slater’s rapid rise through the backyard ultra ranks.
At the same Shepparton event in 2025, Slater completed a mammoth 52 loops and approximately 350km to finish third, a performance which helped propel him into Great Britain’s qualifying calculations for the 2026 Backyard Ultra Satellite Team World Championships.
While this year’s winning distance was shorter, the nature of the backyard format meant Slater simply had to outlast everybody else.
Competitors travelled from Victoria Park Lake along the river towards the Australian Botanic Gardens, tackling the gardens hill before descending and returning towards the lake to complete each circuit.
The 37-yard victory saw Slater finish ahead of a deep field, with Brendan Bettess reaching 35 yards (235.2km), Kiara Keating completing 33 (221.76km) and David Patterson managing 32 (215.04km).
After almost 250km and more than a day-and-a-half of competition, however, there could only be one winner.
This time, it was Slater left standing.
