There’s a quiet kind of madness that fuels the world’s best ultra runners, a willingness to toe the line knowing there is no set finish, only the promise of going further than you ever have before. In April 2025, American ultra running legend Harvey Lewis took that madness to the rugged trails of rural Queensland, Australia, stepping into the start corral of the Dead Cow Gulley Backyard Ultra in Nanango. For those who know Harvey’s name, his reputation is carved into the sport: a man defined by grit, kindness, and an unflinching resolve to see just how far the human body and spirit can go.​


 

Dead Cow Gulley is not just another race on the calendar. It’s a crucible. Every hour, on the hour, runners set off for another 6.7 kilometre loop, the clock their only opponent. 
The format strips away the safety net of a fixed finish line, forcing athletes to wrestle with the unknown. The red dirt trails, the harsh Queensland sun and the oppressive quiet of the night all of it conspires to test every fibre of endurance. For Harvey, the challenge wasn’t just about surviving the loops; it was about embracing the suffering, finding joy in the simplicity of moving forward, one lap at a time. 

The documentary captures Harvey in all his raw moments of lighthearted humour between laps, the subtle shifts in body language as fatigue settles in, and the quiet conversations with himself in the darkness. It’s an intimate portrait of a runner who’s spent decades mastering the art of discomfort. You see the veteran competitor in him, calm and deliberate with every step, yet you also catch glimpses of the dreamer, still chasing the same pure thrill that drew him to his first race.​

Fuelling an ultra in rural Queensland is an endurance event of its own, especially when you’re a committed vegan in the heart of cattle country. Harvey approached Dead Cow Gulley with the same meticulous care for his nutrition as he did for his pacing, turning his aid station into a mobile plant-based buffet. Between loops, he reached for fresh watermelon and blueberries to cut the heat, salty barbecue chips and pretzels to replace what the Queensland sun stole, and warm comfort foods like pasta, noodle soup, vegetable broth, and creamy vegan mashed potatoes to keep his energy steady through the night. Wraps stuffed with hummus, avocado, and tomato offered a savoury lift, while Oreos, candy, and vegan muffins added quick bursts of morale. His drinks told their own story: Tailwind Nutrition for steady calories, sweet tea for a taste of home, tropical hits of acai and mango juice, coconut water for hydration, and when the fatigue really bit, Coke, ginger ale, and Dr. Pepper. Out there in the red dirt, with the scent of cattle paddocks on the breeze, Harvey proved that you don’t need meat to go the distance, you just need a plan, a palate, and the will to keep answering the bell every hour.​

Across the long, grinding days at Dead Cow Gully, Harvey’s armour came entirely from 2XU gear chosen not just for performance, but for survival in Queensland’s wild mood swings of heat and cold. Aero Short Sleeves and Long Sleeves were swapped out roughly every 50 miles, a fresh layer marking another chapter in the race. Light Speed Compression Shorts and Aero Running Shorts rotated every 75 to 100 miles to keep him moving freely, while insulated, warmer long sleeves stood ready for the chill that crept in during the night. An Ignition Shield Jacket was never far from reach, nor were his two cold-weather hats, the wide-brimmed Sahara hat for the unforgiving midday sun, and the white desert hoodie, his shield against both heat and glare. In a backyard ultra, comfort isn’t about luxury; it’s about making sure nothing distracts you from the next lap, and Harvey’s 2XU kit delivered exactly that.​

Harvey’s journey at Dead Cow Gully isn’t told through split times or mileage totals. It’s told through the eyes of someone who believes there’s always one more lap to give, that the limits we accept are far less than what we’re capable of. As the loops tick by and competitors begin to falter, Harvey’s presence remains magnetic, encouraging, relentless, and deeply human.

 

For those who’ve run an ultra, the film will feel like coming home: the shared pain, the unspoken camaraderie, the beauty of watching dawn break over tired legs. For those who haven’t, it offers a glimpse into why people like Harvey show up for races where the only prize is the chance to keep going. In a sport that thrives on heart over hype, Harvey Lewis’s 2025 Dead Cow Gully journey is a story worth telling and one you won’t forget once you’ve seen it unfold.

Phil Gore went on to set a new Backyard Ultra World Record, completing 119 yards, equivalent to 495 miles or 797 kilometres.​ Are you ready to take on the next challenge? Gear up, set your schedule, and push your limits. The starting line is just the beginning! ​

 

Follow Harvey's Journey @harveylewisultrarunner.
Join the 2XU community and redefine your limits. TWO TIMES YOU.

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