After the Quarantine Backyard Ultra in 2020, hosted by Jamil Coury and the Aravaipa Team, I had a vision. I wanted to host a backyard ultra of my own, near my small town in Iowa.
I mapped out the course in my head (through a park, past some cornfields, on and offroad trails). I could envision the athletes and their families spending the day—and night—with us. But then, I realized that I needed some serious marketing help. Who better than family to tap for advice and free work?
My brother Jeret provided his artistic expertise, on the condition that we collaborate on the naming of the event, and my wife, Tara, has always been a grounding force in a world full of “dreams a la Nic.”
We began our grassroots campaign in late 2020, and the Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra was born. The name is a nod to those who go beyond the limits of what others—or even themselves—may think is possible. Our first event in 2021 had 27 runners. Fast forward to 2025, and we watched 97 athletes toe the line at 7 a.m. on September 20 under the lights of a soccer field in West Point, Iowa.
Best of Both Ultra Worlds
We see a variety of competitors at the Broken Anvil. Some have never run more than a 5k while others have completed several 100-mile races. This event is all relative, and everybody’s “hard” is different.
What doesn’t change is how much support is given to every athlete at all hours of the race. Yes, there are Ultra Winners, but at the Broken Anvil, we also celebrate our Ultra Losers.
This year, Nick Steel and Keely Miyomoto, 23 and 21 years old, respectively, battled out the Last Person Standing title for 7 hours (from miles 108–137). Family members and other athletes urged the two to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and it was truly an epic battle of endurance in the rain. Nick and Keely were justly deserving of the 2025 Ultra Winner accolades.
But also deserving were our Ultra Losers—those who bowed out hours before. An “Ultra Loser” was an idea my team developed in 2024. Now, it has become an identity for all those who compete in West Point in September who may eventually receive the heralded title. Our athletes wear it proudly. This year, stats of The Broken Anvil runners:
- 79% ran an ultra-distance
- 50% ran 50 miles
- 21% ran 100k
- Three of the Top 10 Ultra Losers were females
- Last Standing and Last Assist were both under the age of 25
To say the Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra is a “vibe” is probably an understatement, but that is how I feel every time we host the event. Full results here.