Episode 655 - MFYU Mini Series - Paul Pratt’s Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Journey - 34 Yards, Charlie’s Big Moment and the Bigger Story Titelbild

Episode 655 - MFYU Mini Series - Paul Pratt’s Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Journey - 34 Yards, Charlie’s Big Moment and the Bigger Story

Episode 655 - MFYU Mini Series - Paul Pratt’s Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Journey - 34 Yards, Charlie’s Big Moment and the Bigger Story

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Welcome to the next episode in the 2026 Melbourne Frontyard Ultra Mini-Series on the ZenRUN Podcast. This series follows a handful of athletes through their actual Melbourne Frontyard Ultra journey - not just the neat result at the end, but the little check-ins along the way. The early excitement. The crew moments. The emotional wobbles. The rain, the snacks, the tired conversations, and the honest wrap-up when their race is done. In this episode, we’re following the wonderful Paul Pratt. And this one is a little different. Paul came into Melbourne Frontyard Ultra with a huge love for the backyard format, a previous best of 40 yards, a big running community around him, and his son Charlie lining up to run some yards too. Paul grew up in West Gippsland in a sporting family, playing footy, cricket and tennis. Sport was just what you did. Running, at that stage, was simply part of playing games and chasing people around. Life then took Paul through accounting, business ownership, family, community work, local council, and eventually into running during Covid, when he found it became a really useful outlet during a challenging time. And, as these things often go, one marathon became more marathons. Then 50Ks. Then 100Ks. Then the question became: what’s next? Enter the wonderfully ridiculous world of Backyard and Frontyard Ultras. Paul loves this format because of the people. The chatting. The shared experience. The way age, speed, ability and goals don’t matter in quite the same way. Everyone starts each yard together, and everyone gets to chase their own version of a big day. He was also the local person behind bringing Wild Dog Backyard Ultra to life, so this format clearly means a lot to him. At Melbourne Frontyard Ultra, Paul started the event after a pretty full-on 24 hours. There was life stuff, a car-versus-mailbox moment, and that feeling of having “just a day” before even getting to the start line. But once he settled in, the event started to work its magic. He ran early yards with his son Charlie, chatted with people, enjoyed the beautiful course, and was part of the big early-event buzz where it all feels a bit like a party. Or as Paul put it - a rave party for the first day, before it becomes a battle of attrition. And that’s pretty accurate, really. Paul made it through 34 yards and started yard 35, but by then he already knew he was done. Physically, he felt like there may have been more there. Mentally and emotionally, he was spent. And that’s what makes this episode so good. Because in the wrap-up, recorded a couple of weeks later, Paul speaks really honestly about what happened when life, family, business, responsibility, boredom, mental fatigue, and the event itself all started pulling at him at once. He talks about the difference between being physically capable and being mentally ready. He talks about struggling to stay present. He talks about the guilt that can come with taking time away from family for big events. He talks about high achievers trying to be everything, everywhere, all at once. And he talks about how, sometimes, an event gives you something completely different from what you thought you came for. Because while Paul’s personal race didn’t unfold exactly the way he hoped, one of the most beautiful parts of the weekend was watching his 12-year-old son Charlie run 9 yards - around 60 kilometres. Charlie ran through to 1am, set a huge personal milestone, inspired a lot of people, and gave Paul a completely different reason to look back on the event with pride. And honestly, that’s pretty special. This episode is about running, yes. But it’s also about family, perspective, expectations, community, disappointment, pride, and remembering that sometimes the biggest story at an event is not the number beside your own name. Sometimes it’s the person beside you. Why You’ll Love This Episode Paul shares openly about sport, business, family, community and runningYou’ll hear how running became an outlet during CovidPaul talks about his love of Backyard and Frontyard UltrasWe talk about Wild Dog Backyard Ultra and Paul’s role in helping bring it to lifeThere’s a very honest look at the mental side of ultra-runningPaul reflects on why he stopped, even though he felt physically okayHis son Charlie’s 9-yard, 60K effort becomes one of the most beautiful parts of the storyIt’s a great reminder that an event can still be meaningful, even when it doesn’t go to plan A Few Favourite Themes It’s not just physical Paul talks openly about the fact that Backyard and Frontyard Ultras are so much more than having legs that can keep moving. The mental side is huge. Sometimes life comes with you Even when you’re in a race, real life doesn’t always politely stay at home. Paul’s wrap-up is such a good reflection on trying to stay present when other responsibilities are still tugging at you. Family can be your greatest motivator - and your greatest handbrake ...
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