Benny Matthews

One of the biggest intrigues in backyard ultras is the headspace & level of discomfort you must feel when running for this long.

Hearing Dan say he felt like crap for 10hrs after already running for 30hrs…then running for a total of 93hrs.

They’re just numbers sitting in front of you. Most people can’t fathom running for 10hrs let alone that being a low that is a part of almost 4 days.

What I love most about Dan is his passion to run. He’s proof you don’t need to specialise in anyone one format to be successful. And perhaps his greatest strength is his versatility!

Watch or listen to our full conversion on Spotify or YouTube.

Follow the links in my bio to listen to the “Dose of Benny” podcasts 🔥

I’m not a coach who’s overly fearful of AI replacing me. The biggest point being the human that’s sits behind the programs that are delivered offer more than just programs.

Coaching someone means developing a relationship. Any strong relationships should have an element of conflict. But when you work through it, trust is forged.

I’ve had tough conversations with clients over the years but it’s always with the aim of seeking understanding.

What are the behaviours driving their decisions?

Are they even aware of them?

Is this what they actually want to achieve or has it become a misalignment of values?

AI can only guide you with the information you feed it.

To do anything as a human is to gain experience. Experience & information are not the same thing.

If you’re stuck with the best next steps in training, take my 5min quiz. It’ll give custom responses, with actions to take. Curated by what I’ve learnt in the field. Not searched with AI 😅

Head to my bio for access.

If you’re hooked on Phil’s Project 168 like I am, you’re going to want to hear from a guy who’s run alongside him for the Aussie Sat Champs team.

Dan Camac is an outstanding performer on the backyard stage, running an insane 93 loops (623km). But what’s scary is he’s got so much to improve.

We discuss crewing, sleep strategy & why he also loves to run fast (he recently ran a 2:33 marathon 🤯).

Dan is a champion bloke, who embodies everything you want in a top performer. Humility, passion & a drive to push himself for the love of the game.

Whilst Mark Dowdle is blowing up after taking out Last Soul Ultra. It’s nice to remind ourselves of the weapons we’ve got lurking all across Australia too.

Watch or listen to the entire episode of “Dose of Benny” on Spotify or YouTube by heading to the links in my bio.

Enjoy!

Backyards are so multifaceted. From the physical to the mental. There are new problems to be solved every hour.

Getting sleep between loops has become a superpower of Phil’s. Yet it’s still the biggest concern as you heard him mention the effects of sleep deprivation at Bigs.

Find out how Phil has developed his sleep strategy in the full episode of “Dose of Benny”.

Available now to watch or listen on Spotify & YouTube.

Links can be found in my bio.

Project 168 is now underway! You can watch the 24/7 livestream on the Backyard Ultra Podcast YouTube channel & make donations to Telethon through Phil’s website

philgore.com.au

Although we can’t all be in person for Phil Gore “Project 168”, we can show our support by running virtual laps.

Join me next Sunday to celebrate what I hope will be a new standard in endurance running.

📍 Strength Sanctuary - 3/39 Hayward St, Stafford, Brisbane,

⏰ 9AM Sunday August 30th

Distance: 6.7km

We have an hour to complete the 6.7km (roughly 9min/km) so it’s accessible for everyone, even if running isn’t your thing.

Head to philgore.com.au to donate to Telethon.

Any amount is accepted, however registering officially will get your name aired on the livestream. (You also don’t have to donate if that’s not an option for you. Come join the community!)

This is a great opportunity to meet some new people & if you’re not from the backyard/ultra space, experience how accessible this crazy formate is for people of all ability!

Let’s cheer Phil home, even if it’s from the other side of the country 🥳

I gained so many insights to just how deeply thought out Phil is with his preparation for backyards.

The exciting part as a spectator is that so many constraints will be different in project 168.

1. As Phil mentioned, he now has a goal which isn’t something he’s carried before.

2. There are no competitors. How will this alter his focus/energy without hundreds of fellow runners in the first 1-2 days?

3. New course. This route is self made. Whilst Phil has trained here & designed it himself, what unknowns will present themselves over a 7 day period?

This clip was taken from the full episode of “Dose of Benny”.

Available on Spotify & YouTube. Head to the links in my bio.

Most importantly, head to philgore.com.au
There you can purchase shirts, book a lap with Phil in person or virtually. All to help much needed funds for Telethon.

Seeing the numbers on the live stream for , I think it’s pretty evident we’re witnessing the potential backyards have for mainstream sports viewing.

80k live viewers (it may have gotten higher?) to watch a field of just 170 run until they can’t.

As I mentioned, to have competitors share their experience in real time is a level of access you don’t get in any other endurance sport. It’s this uniqueness that I’m sure is drawing the attention.

They even have night vision cameras which I think will become the norm for other events.

Is this going to be the tipping point for bigger brands to want in on the backyard scene?

How big could it get?

Let me know your thoughts 👇🏻

Seven days. One lap every hour. 1,127km if he makes it to the end.

Phil Gore has repeatedly been the last person standing—but that means he’s never truly discovered how far he can go.

Project 168 removes the competition and leaves him with one question:

Where is his limit?

In this episode, Phil breaks down the physical, mental and unexpected logistical challenge of running for 168 consecutive hours—and why this attempt is about something much bigger than a record.

Episode 15 of Dose of Benny is live now.

🎧 Watch or listen on Spotify & YouTube via the link in bio.

You can run loops with Phil in person or virtually with donations.

Head to philgore.com.au to donate now

Forever grateful for not only the support & effort my wife puts into my races. But most importantly the belief.

All jokes aside from this clip, she never has a shred of doubt in my ability to execute in my races. Nor is there an expectation. She knows how to show tough love & when to pour out affection.

It’s not an easy balance & I’ve seen spouses crumble crewing before.

Find you a Mahli & you’ll have more good days than bad when it counts.

Clip taken from the “Dose of Benny” podcast - episode #14

Available now on Spotify & YouTube. Just head to the links in my bio.

I dunno if it was delirium, fear or the comfort of my wife — but the use of humour is a great distraction. Even if it’s short lived.

I’m so glad I’ve captured moments like this in my races. They truly are a roller coaster. Because barely 10min after this I was shouting expletives at the climb I began.

For the love of the game 🍻

P.S You really don’t know me…son