Welcome to The Road to Big’s, a special series from The One More Hour Podcast featuring the athletes representing Team USA at the 2026 Backyard Ultra World Team Championships.

Jennifer Russo is heading back to Big’s for her sixth consecutive year. With more than a dozen backyard ultras under her belt, a resume packed with 100- and 200-mile races, and a 2023 performance that made her the first woman to run 300 miles in the backyard format, Jennifer has been a major part of the growth of women’s participation in the sport.

In this episode, Jennifer and Jaci talk about:

• What keeps bringing her back to Big’s year after year
• The unique dynamic of a Team USA year and this year’s mix of veterans and newcomers
• Why she’s especially excited to see three women on Team USA
• The challenges of the Big’s course, especially the cold nights and the third day
• Her strategy for conserving energy and hanging farther back this year
• Why she tries not to know what yard she’s on
• What she’s learned from 100- and 200-mile races and what the backyard has taught her in return
• Her experience becoming the first woman to reach 300 miles in a backyard ultra
• The importance of not comparing your race to what everyone else is doing
• What she hopes to learn about herself at this year’s Team Championships
• The grit she believes she brings to Team USA
• Why she wants to run with gratitude and give everything she has

Jennifer also shares her prediction for Team USA and why she thinks it’s time for a woman to break 100 yards.

The Satellite World Championships kick off October 17, 2026, with Team USA competing on the Big’s course in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

The Road to Big’s continues with more Team USA athlete interviews leading into race day, followed by post-race conversations after the clock stops.

👉 Don’t miss the next yard. Hit Follow on The One More Hour Podcast: An Insider’s Guide to Backyard Ultras, Timed Races, and the Ultrarunning Mindset.

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