Cameron Main has described running 228km at the Red On Backyard Ultra over the weekend as the “hardest thing I’ve ever done by a long way” – after his support crew helped him through one final lap he had been adamant he would not start.

The British professional triathlete completed 34 yards at Haydock Park Racecourse in the north west of England, raising money for Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation and earning admiration from some of triathlon’s biggest names.

And there was extra significance to that last effort: it took his running distance beyond the combined swim, bike and run distance of a full IRONMAN.

Main was listed eighth in the final results, having spent almost 34 hours tackling a challenge which left him with swollen, bruised feet – and a new appreciation for those who keep going for days.

Main is no stranger to the demands of elite endurance racing, with an IRONMAN Western Australia victory last December on what was his full-distance debut among his triathlon achievements. He had also raced at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona earlier in October, before swapping swim, bike and run for a very different test at Haydock Park.

‘I’m totally done. I’m not going back out’

The backyard format requires runners to complete a 4.167-mile loop every hour, starting on the hour. Any time remaining before the next start can be used to eat, rest and prepare to go again.

The distance keeps accumulating, but so does the difficulty of getting back to the start line.

For Main, the decisive struggle came deep into his second day.

“When I got to yard 32, things started getting pretty rough,” he explained in an Instagram video after his race.

“My feet were really, really sore, and that was the limiting factor. They’re pretty swollen and bruised this morning. They don’t look the best, but I’m just about able to walk.”

By then, he had decided that lap 33 would be his last – provided he could complete it within the hour.

“When I came in, I said to my crew, Harry, my mum and Sophie, I was like: ‘I’m totally done. I’m not going back out.’”

His crew, however, kept working through the familiar routine, changing his socks and getting his shoes back on.

They also helped him begin to contemplate another trip around the course.

“[They] managed to kind of get me in the headspace that we’re maybe going to go for one,” Main recalled.

“And I said: ‘Screw it, you know, give me a Red Bull, let’s send it, let’s try and do one more yard.’

“And I got round the next 6.7k and did 34 yards.”

That final loop took him from approximately 221.3km to 228km – beyond the roughly 226km covered in an entire IRONMAN, this time entirely on foot.

‘Hardest thing I’ve ever done’

Main’s effort drew congratulations from fellow professionals, including Ben Kanute, who wanted to know how the experience compared with a rather different kind of suffering.

“I have to know. This or VO2 max efforts?” the American asked on Instagram.

Main’s answer was emphatic: “Hardest thing I’ve ever done by a long way.”

Jelle Geens added: “Crazy mate! Congrats”, while Matt Hauser, fresh from his Noosa Triathlon victory, called Main a “Freaking legend”.

Main offered a similarly candid verdict on Strava.

“Absolute madness. This race format is so much harder than you realise until you are deep in it,” he wrote.

“Huge respect to the athletes that can do 60+ hours, insane.”

The eventual winner, Aqeel Ahmed, completed 63 yards, with Kieron Day recording 62 and therefore credited with an “assist”.

Running for Abbie

Behind Main’s challenge was a cause with a deeply personal connection: Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation, the charity founded by his sister before her death from cancer in 2017.

And when he reflected on the experience, thanking those who had supported the fundraising was one of his first priorities.

“I just want to say a special shout out again to everyone that’s donated to Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation,” he said.

“I’m so grateful, and all the comments on Instagram, I’ve read all of them.

“Just thanks to everyone who’s been supporting me, supporting Abbie.”

The initial fundraising target was £1,000 but at the time of writing the total is about to reach £3,000 – if you would like to, you can donate here.

After a night’s sleep, Main returned to Haydock Park to support the runners whose challenge was still continuing – with a KFC in hand.

And he also offered some reassurance about his own recovery.

“Just wanted to give an update that I am alive, and I can just about stand on two feet. So we’re all good.”