"This is Bulls**t!" || Backyard Ultra / Alexandra Airport Carousel 2026

Over 56 hours, we followed athletes and support crews throughout the battle of this race. In a battle of time, energy and pure determination, athletes must complete a lap of a rugged 6.7km loop at the start of each hour. Only one person will remain and surprises are out of your control. Under the sun, the first day is full of laughter, high hopes and lots of cheer, but as the night falls and we enter into the dark hours of the night, the next day and the following nights after, minds start to wonder, injuries start occurring and the haze of being awake and pushing the limit of the human spirit starts to take its toll. This film is a look into the inner workings of what happens during a race and battle like this, the kind of spirit it takes to rise up to this challenge and the incredible support crews fuelling their athletes with meals, energy and plenty of moral love and support. The battle over the multi-day race was intense, sleep was not had but memories, tears, laughter and strength was felt throughout athletes, support teams, spectators and you guessed it, the camera man. This is the story of the 2026 Alexandra Airport Carousel Backyard Ultra. —————————————————————— Directed, filmed & edited by Benjamin Amaral, of Amaral Media. Website: Amaralmedia.com Instagram: @Benjamin.amaral Produced by Tom Heath + Hannah Presswood Tom Heath - Thymed Events NZ Website: thymedevents.co.nz Hannah Presswood - Real Health Sports Nutrition. Website: www.rhsn.co.nz Instagram: @real_health.sports_nutrition Follow the Carousel Backyard Ultra pages for future events! Website: carouselbyu.co.nz Instagram: @Carouselbyu Facebook: Alexandra Airport Carousel Backyard Ultra —————————————————————— A massive thank you to all of the athletes, support crews and community that made this so special, without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you. An extra big thank you to Central Otago District Council, Move + Heal with Heather Breen, Backyard Ultra Breaking Limits and Kits & Bits Events.