Running News Daily

North Carolina Woman Sets New World Record in the Mile—Backwards

Ann Marie Pierce only runs one backwards race each year. 

Wilmington, North Carolina, has a new backward-running superstar. On December 16, Ann Marie Pierce set a new world record for the fastest mile run backwards, crossing the line in 7:24.

She had some help from the men’s backward mile world record holder, Aaron Yoder, who traveled from Kansas to North Carolina to attempt a new world record during the 2023 One Mile Backwards Challenge at the UNC-Wilmington track and field complex. “He fell short of the mile goal, but did earn the 2K American record backward after pacing me to a female backward mile on the track world record,” said Pierce in a caption on Instagram after the event. 

“I run backward once each year, and it’s at this backward mile challenge! I’m always up for wild challenges that force me to step out of my comfort zone, especially if it’s to raise awareness for missions such as Optimism Oasis!” Pierce continued in the caption. 

Pierce says that although she had been registered for the event months prior, she didn’t realize she would be attempting a world record until two days beforehand. “Aaron and Tracy said my chances were high if I could run under 8 minutes. I got a few pointers from the world record holder himself and said I’d humble myself and give it a shot for the kids, though I did have doubts I could actually pull it off,” she said of the challenge.

Pierce praised the technical difficulty of the track, noting that knowing where to focus your eyes takes a bit of figuring out without getting dizzy. “I realized I had to have my hair in a bun, or else the ponytail would whack and cover my face in the wind,” she said. When asked what hurt the most post-race, Pierce said her legs held up fine, but her lungs were taxed from inhaling the cool air.

Still, Pierce said she was happy to be a part of the race and break the record. “At the end of the day, there’s always a message and reason—don’t be afraid to try something that challenges you—and it’s okay to not be the best at something. I’m most inspired by people in life that choose not to give up and work for what they find joy or purpose in.”

A couple of dozen people gathered for the event, many also running in the backward mile race to support Optimism Oasis, a nonprofit multi-sports and cultural facility.

Pierce says she has done other “wild and silly” world record-breaking times, like running pregnant and double and single stroller racing, but she hasn’t made them official. “I have a lot of fun keeping running extra mysterious by challenging myself to these weird things. Hopefully inspiring others [to] give things a shot too.”

Pierce closed out her post by adding her own mantra about running: “Keeping things weird one stride at a time.”