Barkley Marathon
Everything You Need to Know About the ‘Hardest Race in The World’.
The Barkley Marathon, created by Lazarus Lake, has come to be known as the hardest race in the world.
Stretching an impressive 100 miles long through the forested Tennessee backcountry, only 14 people have ever managed to complete the challenge since it started in 1986.
So what is it all about? And why would anyone want to take on this race in the first place? We delve into the history of the marathon, and how you can register to take part - if you’re brave enough.
How Did The Barkley Marathon Begin?
Truly unlike any other ultramarathon in the world, each year 40 runners who have been hand picked to take part, line up at the entrance to Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. They are their to complete a 60 hour race, of 5 20 mile laps through the park wilderness.
Gary ‘Laz’ Cantrell and Karl Henn first took a visit to the park, when they heard about the escape of James Earl Ray from Brushy Mountain State Prison. Surrounded by the Tennessee Mountains, when Ray managed to escape the prison he was out for 54 hours. Yet due to the extremely harsh environment, he only got 8 miles away from the prison.
Intrigued, they backpacked around the area, and on completion decided to turn the route into an ultramarathon race.
At first only 55 miles long, for the first 4 years no one finished in. Once someone did manage to complete it in its fifth year they decided to make it 100 miles long.
What Does The Course Contain?
On the surface 100 miles in 60 hours seems relatively reasonable, but the harsh park terrain makes it extremely difficult.
The park is known for its cold rain and fog, brushy climbs and deep creeks. And if that wasn’t enough the course makes very little use of the few maintained trails. Instead runners are equipped with a map and a compass.
13 books are also hidden along the course. Competitors must tear out the pages relating to their bib number to prove they have completed the loop. A new bib and number is handed out for each circuit, so there's no chance of cheating.
How Do I Register?
All we know it there’s an email list for the Barkely, where competitors are selected to run by Cantrell and Henn. To get on that it’s a matter of writing a letter explaining why you should run, and paying the $1.60 entry fee.
If you’re lucky enough (or unlucky depending on how you look at it) to be selected, you’re asked to bring a random object on the day; think a licence plate from your home state, a pack of camel filters or even just a flannel shirt. With the last person to finish was John Kelly in 2017 with a time of 59 hours and 30 minutes. The course record is 53 hours and 3 minutes, set by Brett Maune in 2012. Do you think you have what it takes to join them?