The Backyard Ultra with a Big Heart

Key Details – Sandy Point Backyard Ultra

• Event Name: Sandy Point Backyard Ultra
• Location: Invercargill, South Island, New Zealand
• Next Race Date: 11 January 2026
• Race Format: Backyard Ultra (6.706km loops every hour until one runner remains)
• 2025 Highlights: 27 laps (181.1km) completed by winner Blair Logie
• Entry Info: All levels welcome – inclusive, community-focused format
• Website: sandypointbackyardultra.com

When Patrick and Joanna Manulat set out to bring a backyard ultra to Invercargill, NZ they weren’t just chasing laps – they were building a community, building resilience, and building hope. Kate Dzienis talks to the couple about their inaugural Sandy Point Backyard Ultra, and why at their event, they proved that even on the flattest ground, anything is possible.

CW // Mental Health

TRM would like to advise that this article focuses Patrick and Joanna Manulat’s lived experiences, and therefore mentions mental health, in particular depression. We understand that this discussion may be difficult for those in our community who also suffer from mental health, and have included support services at the end of the article.

It started with a simple idea – a shared passion for running, a deep love for community, and a desire to push boundaries. 

For Patrick and Joanna Manulat, organising the inaugural Sandy Point Backyard Ultra in January 2025 wasn’t just about hosting another endurance race. It was about proving what was possible, not just for themselves but for the entire running community in Invercargill, South Island.

At 44, Patrick has been no stranger to the gruelling demands of endurance sports. A trailblazer for Tailwind Nutrition NZ and a Fractel via zerotwenty2sports ambassador, his journey into long-distance running began at uni when he completed the Tour of Cebu in the Philippines. 

That race ignited a fire that led him from road running to the trails.

By day, Patrick works long hours as a manufacturer of frames and trusses, and by night, he trains. His weekends are spent on long runs in the mountains, pushing himself towards ambitious goals like the Northburn 100 and the Faultline Ultra 100 – two of his key races for the year. His ultimate dream though? A coveted spot in the Hardrock 100 in Silverton, Colorado (USA), a notoriously challenging race that has eluded him for years.

“My favourite distance is definitely the 100mi,” he says. 

“It takes me to my lowest point and makes me learn more about myself. This year, my focus is the Northburn 100 and the Faultline Ultra with an interval of four weeks between both races. I do races like this to earn a lottery ticket for the Hardrock 200, which I’ve been trying to get into for a couple years now.” 

For Jo, 40, running has always been a part of her story too. A registered nurse and coordinator of the Critical Care Unit, Patrick was previously her coach who helped her accomplish a full marathon. The two married in 2016, and since then, she’s been Patrick’s number one supporter. 

“I may not be running now due to knee issues, but we are a team,” she says. “I’m his driver, organiser, personal assistant, photographer, and nutritionist. I support him in every way I can.”

Currently facing knee issues, Jo plans to get back into running after she’s fully recovered, and until then, it’s all about supporting one another’s ambitions. 

An Idea Born

The idea of bringing a backyard race to Invercargill emerged from local conversations, according to Patrick. Runners were intrigued by the format but hesitant to organise it themselves, and having organised races back in the Philippines, he knew exactly what it would take and stepped up to the plate.

“I wanted to build something for the running community here, something unique and beautiful,” he explains. 

“People always ask me, ‘How do you train for ultras in Invercargill?’ because we don’t have the mountains or elevation that other places do – Invercargill is pretty flat. The decent hills we do have are just Bluff and the Forest Hill, which is not enough if you talk about training for a miler with 10,000m of elevation. 

“We have very talented runners down here, and I want to prove that to the entire country. 

“I also wanted to spread the message that running releases good feel hormones, it elevates your mood and reduces stress. As we all know, there’s been a problem with depression here in New Zealand, and one way to fight that is to get into running. People can come together, push themselves, and feel like they belong.”

Lessons Learned & Overcoming Challenges

Organising a race is one thing. Doing it while managing full-time jobs, training, and a family is another. But the biggest lesson Patrick and Jo have learned?

“We couldn’t do it alone,” Patrick admits. 

“We handled the logistics, but the support from our friends and community made it all possible. We had big help from other BYU race organisers too, which we are so appreciative of.”

There was an unexpected challenge the couple faced in the lead up to the race day though, one of the toughest hurdles they faced. 

Just as they were ramping up promotions, Jo’s father was admitted to the ICU in the Philippines, and the two immediately flew out of New Zealand, which made  race preparation infinitely more complicated.

Everything had to be done remotely, from emails and online orders, to coordinating with sponsors from different time zones Jo reveals. 

“On top of that, we were dealing with the emotional stress of my father’s illness,” she says. 

“It was overwhelming. Not being readily available in the country to organise, buy banners, sort out trophies, organise the race clock…that was all a big hurdle. We constantly questioned how we would do it all when weren’t even in New Zealand to sort it all out.”

Despite the challenges, they pressed on, leaning on their friends and the local running community for support.

More Than Just A Competition

When the inaugural Sandy Point Backyard Ultra finally arrived on 11 January, 2025 the air buzzed with excitement as participants got ready at the start/finish village, and gathered at the start line, adrenaline coursing through their veins. Supporters and volunteers filled the space with cheers, upbeat music, and an undeniable sense of anticipation for the challenge ahead.

While larger races might have sophisticated timing systems, Patrick and Jo opted for a hands-on approach by manually recording lap times and updating results on Google Drive on the hour, every hour. Volunteers played a crucial role in keeping the event running smoothly, helping the couple put in all the results for everyone to stay updated. And in the end, the backyarder felt more like a celebration than a gruelling test of endurance – the Filipino community set up a barbecue, and a coffee cart kept runners and supporters fuelled all weekend.

Inspiration On Course

Every runner who lined up at the start had their own reason for being there. Blair Logie emerged as the winner, completing an impressive 27 laps, and Simon Budd took the Assist, finishing just behind him – an achievement made even more remarkable given his history of back and hip issues.

“We knew Simon’s story,” Patrick says. 

“He had hip surgery, worked his way back, and 15 months later, he ran 174.2km. That’s the kind of determination we love to see.”

Others surprised themselves. Thirty-seven year old Lawrence Taylor from Invercargill, whose longest race before the backyarder was just 21km, ran more than double that, completing 8 laps – or a total of 53.6km. 

“I’m new to the sport of running, and the thought of participating in the first ever local backyard ultra event felt special. The concept of a backyarder was exciting and challenging, and the event’s unique format appealed to me because it tested not just physical endurance but mental strength as well,” he recalls. 

“The sense of community and the idea of pushing my limits in a new and unique race format really drew me in, and I loved how positive and supportive was, from the organisers to the spectators. 

“I find New Zealand trail running is exceptional here, due to its unique blend of stunning natural beauty. The atmosphere is known for its inclusiveness and camaraderie, so regardless if you’re a beginner or an elite, the trail community is encouraging and very welcoming. 

“It’s truly a magical place to run and connect with like-minded people.” 

Another Invercargill local, Hamish McKay (34), secured himself a new PB of 21 laps (141km) at Sandy Point, and says the town, as small as it is, means the running community is even smaller. 

“But then you go one step further and find that ‘pocket’ of trail runners and you’ve got a tiny group of slightly mad buggers who can’t even sustain an active Facebook page, so we were bound to meet eventually!” he laughs. 

“It would be amiss to not mention the awesome network of trails, stunning scenery and lack of things that want to harm you (think snakes, leeches, mountain lions and bears) … in terms of trail running events, you can’t go past the awesome sense of community and peer support. I mean, I’m sure the elites up front bump elbows and rub shoulders, but you’ll be sure to see them congratulating each other and sharing a cold one afterwards. 

“The backyard ultra (BYU) community is another notch up though, everyone there to support everyone – no support crew? No worries, you’ll have one by the end of your race. 

“Sandy Point might not have had the ‘hundreds’ of participants that some of the bigger BYU’s are getting these days, but you wouldn’t have known because everyone was stoked to be there and everyone was mad keen to go further than they ever had before. 

Looking To The Future

With the first Sandy Point Backyard Ultra in the books, Patrick and Jo are already looking ahead. They hope to grow the event, bring in more runners, and continue fostering a strong running culture in Invercargill.

What started as a dream—a simple desire to create something meaningful—has turned into a movement. A reminder that, no matter where you are, what obstacles you face, or how big your dreams seem, you are never alone. 

Lace up, step to the start line, and take that next lap. You might just surprise yourself.

The next Sandy Point Backyard Ultra is scheduled for 11 January 2026. More info can be found at sandypointbackyardultra.com

This article appeared in Edition 55 of Trail Run Magazine 2025. Grab your copy here