St Albans' Ultra Sixer puts runners through their paces

The St Albans Sixer Backyard Ultra. Photo: Cam Ross

03 Jun 2025

Posted at 19:48 in St Albans

The Sixer Backyard Ultra was the 9th Sixer event to take place and probably the craziest challenge yet.

The Sixer is usually a running race between six different St Albans pubs, with a drink in each on the way, but this time the stakes were higher.

Fifty runners set off at 10am on Saturday and had to complete a lap of St Albans, starting at the Lower Red Lion and taking in the Cathedral, Verulamium Park, St Michael’s Village.

The lap was just over four miles long, and after completing it, at each hour, on the hour, the runners could participate in the next lap, until they could do no more. After 19 hours, there were just two survivors, with Richard taking the final lap to victory, having run more than 80 miles and climbed almost 6,000 feet – earning a well-deserved beer.

Co-organiser Matt Bigg said: “It was such a brilliant event. A true Sixer event, that involved a running challenge, amazing community support and a couple of beers along the way.

“Both me and [Lower Red Lion landlord] David Worcester love these events, but there are nothing without the runners.

“They were amazing throughout and we loved spending time with them throughout the weekend. We also can’t do this with our amazing team of volunteers, and we are really proud that this event was raising money for Youth Talk and we want to extend thanks for their support on the day!

The next Sixer event takes place on Sunday August 24, where runners (and walkers) take on the challenge of six miles and six pubs across St Albans.

All photos by Cam Ross.