With a second-place finish at the 24-hour world championship in France, Oaxacan ultradistance runner Octaviano Robles Cruz will aim to be the last man standing at Backyard México.
Oax Sport is pleased to announce its sponsorship of Octaviano Robles Cruz for the 2021 edition of Backyard México. This race gives him an opportunity to qualify for the Backyard Ultra Final in Tennessee, United States.
The competition will take place on March 20, 2021, in Bosques de Monterreal, Arteaga, Coahuila. Backyard México is an endurance trail race. Participants run a 6.70 km circuit and must complete it in one hour or less. If they do not finish within that time, they are eliminated.
All remaining competitors return to the starting line each hour and repeat the course. The race continues until only one athlete remains.
Oax Sport is a sports nonprofit with roots in Texas and Oaxaca. It supports athletes from Oaxaca through sponsorship, race support, and athlete development. Oax Sport identified Backyard México as a valuable opportunity for one of Oaxaca’s most accomplished ultradistance runners.
Octaviano Robles Cruz is an ultradistance runner and member of the Auxiliary Banking, Industrial, and Commercial Police, known as PABIC, in Oaxaca. He brings more than 20 years of experience in ultramarathon running, including national races of 100 km and 100 miles.
His recent major races include the IAU 24 Hour World Championship in France and the Ultramaratón 24 Horas “Non-Stop” in Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo.
“The Backyard is an unusual competition because it does not have a fixed finish line. Speed is not the main factor. It is a race of endurance, tactics, and strong physical and mental demand. In Octaviano, we see the qualities needed to face those demands. We believe he will have a strong performance and represent Oaxaca well.” Eddi Melesio Pérez Silva, Athletic Director, Oax Sport.
The Backyard Ultra format was created by Lazarus Lake, race director of the Barkley Marathons. In this format, competitors run 6,706 meters, or 4.167 miles, in less than one hour. The same distance repeats every hour.
The race ends when the last runner stops or fails to complete the distance within the assigned time. Backyard Ultra has no fixed finish time. The winner is the last runner still competing.
The 2020 Mexican edition included Rarámuri athletes who ran for 64 hours and completed 430 km, placing the Tarahumara team fifth worldwide.
“I am very happy to accept Oax Sport’s invitation and sponsorship to represent Oaxaca in a competition as physically and emotionally demanding as Backyard México. I have always liked challenges and finding out how far I can push my emotional limits. I am glad to take part in this demanding race and continue testing myself in ultradistance running.” Octaviano Robles Cruz, ultradistance runner and member of PABIC Oaxaca.
Oax Sport’s other confirmed competitions include:
- Ultra Trail Desierto de los Leones 2021, Mexico City
- Ultra Coahuila Garmin 2021, Coahuila
- Mexico City BBVA Half Marathon 2021, Mexico City
Oax Sport is a sports nonprofit with roots in Texas and Oaxaca. It supports athletes through coaching, mentoring, training support, athlete development, and race logistics. For more information, visit oaxsport.org.
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Contact:
Diana García
Public Relations
Oax Sport
Rayón 503
Oaxaca de Juárez
OAX 68000
Last updated: May 14, 2026
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