The Barkley Marathons: The World’s Most Mysterious and Brutal Ultra Race

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Here's everything you need to know about the Barkley Marathons—a race that separates mere runners from legends.

The Origins of the Barkley Marathons

The Barkley Marathons was founded in 1986 by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell, a quirky and eccentric ultra-runner with a love for unconventional challenges. The race was inspired by the 1977 prison escape of James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ray fled into the rugged hills of Frozen Head State Park but was caught after just 8 miles—having endured 55 hours in the unforgiving terrain. Cantrell, amused by Ray's slow pace, reportedly said, "I could do at least 100 miles in that time." And thus, the Barkley Marathons was born.

The race was designed to test the limits of human endurance, ingenuity, and grit. Over the decades, it has become a cult phenomenon, shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

The Race Format

The Barkley Marathons is not your typical ultra-marathon. It’s a grueling and unpredictable event with unique rules, a quirky sense of humor, and an emphasis on the unknown.

The Course

• The race consists of 5 loops through unmarked, treacherous terrain in Frozen Head State Park.

• The total distance is estimated to be 100+ miles, though many believe it’s closer to 130 miles.

• The elevation gain is staggering, with runners climbing and descending roughly 60,000 feet over the course of the race—the equivalent of summiting Mount Everest twice.

• The course changes slightly each year, adding to the difficulty and unpredictability.

The Time Limit

• Runners have 60 hours to complete the race.

• Each loop must be completed within 12 hours. If a runner fails to finish a loop on time, they are disqualified.

Navigation

• The course is unmarked, forcing runners to rely on maps, compasses, and their wits. GPS devices are strictly prohibited.

• Many runners get lost, which is why completing even a single loop is considered a major achievement.

The Books

• Along the course, runners must locate hidden books and rip out a page corresponding to their bib number to prove they completed the loop. Missing a page means disqualification.

The Secretive Entry Process

The Barkley Marathons is notoriously difficult to enter. The application process is shrouded in secrecy, and there’s no official website or publicly available instructions. Here’s what’s known:

1. The Application Letter: Runners must send a handwritten letter to Gary Cantrell explaining why they deserve to compete.

2. The Application Fee: The fee is a modest $1.60, but first-time participants must also bring a license plate from their home state or country.

3. Selection: Only 40 runners are accepted each year, selected at Lazarus Lake’s discretion.

4. First-Timer Penalty: First-timers are labeled “virgins” and are given a special role—such as lighting the ceremonial cigarette that marks the race start.

Unique and Quirky Traditions

The Barkley Marathons has a host of traditions that add to its mystique and charm:

• The Start: The race begins at an unspecified time. Runners only know the race is about to start when Cantrell blows a conch shell. One hour later, the race begins when he lights a cigarette.

• The "Fun Run": Completing three loops (around 60 miles) is known as the “Fun Run.” Only a small percentage of participants even achieve this milestone.

• The Loop Names: Each loop has its own unique name, such as the “Reverse Loop” or the “Night Loop,” which add to the race’s complexity and unpredictability.

Why Is the Barkley Marathons So Hard?

The Barkley Marathons is widely considered one of the toughest races in the world due to the following factors:

1. Brutal Terrain

Frozen Head State Park features dense forests, thorny underbrush, and steep climbs. Runners must bushwhack through briars, navigate rocky descents, and cross streams—often in the dark.

2. Lack of Support

Unlike traditional races, the Barkley offers no aid stations, pacers, or route markings. Runners are completely self-sufficient and must carry all their food, water, and gear.

3. Sleep Deprivation

Most runners complete the race with little to no sleep, pushing their bodies and minds to the brink of collapse.

4. Mental Strain

The lack of clear directions, the difficulty of finding books, and the looming threat of disqualification make the Barkley as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

The Finishers

Since its inception in 1986, fewer than 20 runners have completed all five loops of the Barkley Marathons. Some years, no one finishes.

Notable Finishers:

• Mark Williams (1995): The first-ever finisher.

• Jared Campbell: The only three-time finisher (2012, 2014, 2016).

• John Kelly (2017): The first American to finish in over a decade.

• Courtney Dauwalter: While she hasn’t finished, her strong performances have inspired women in the sport.

The low finish rate—less than 1%—is a testament to the race’s near-impossible difficulty.

Cultural Impact of the Barkley Marathons

The Barkley Marathons has become a cultural phenomenon, thanks to its mystery, unique traditions, and extreme difficulty. It has inspired documentaries like "The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young", which captured the imagination of runners and non-runners alike.

The race’s allure lies in its unpredictability, its defiance of traditional race conventions, and its celebration of raw, unfiltered endurance. It’s not just a race—it’s a test of human limits.

Why People Attempt the Barkley Marathons

So, why do runners willingly subject themselves to this madness? For many, the Barkley represents the ultimate challenge:

• For the Experience: Just toeing the line at the Barkley is a badge of honor.

• To Push Limits: Runners see the race as an opportunity to test their physical and mental boundaries.

• For the Mystery: The secrecy, quirks, and unpredictability of the Barkley make it one of a kind.

Few races have captured the imagination and fear of the running world like the Barkley Marathons. Dubbed one of the toughest and most enigmatic endurance events on Earth, the Barkley Marathons is as much a psychological and navigational challenge as it is a physical one. Taking place deep in the rugged wilderness of Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee, this race has a legendary status due to its near-impossible demands, secretive entry process, and astonishingly low finish rate.

Here's everything you need to know about the Barkley Marathons—a race that separates mere runners from legends.

The Origins of the Barkley Marathons

The Barkley Marathons was founded in 1986 by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell, a quirky and eccentric ultra-runner with a love for unconventional challenges. The race was inspired by the 1977 prison escape of James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ray fled into the rugged hills of Frozen Head State Park but was caught after just 8 miles—having endured 55 hours in the unforgiving terrain. Cantrell, amused by Ray's slow pace, reportedly said, "I could do at least 100 miles in that time." And thus, the Barkley Marathons was born.

The race was designed to test the limits of human endurance, ingenuity, and grit. Over the decades, it has become a cult phenomenon, shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

The Race Format

The Barkley Marathons is not your typical ultra-marathon. It’s a grueling and unpredictable event with unique rules, a quirky sense of humor, and an emphasis on the unknown.

The Course

• The race consists of 5 loops through unmarked, treacherous terrain in Frozen Head State Park.

• The total distance is estimated to be 100+ miles, though many believe it’s closer to 130 miles.

• The elevation gain is staggering, with runners climbing and descending roughly 60,000 feet over the course of the race—the equivalent of summiting Mount Everest twice.

• The course changes slightly each year, adding to the difficulty and unpredictability.

The Time Limit

• Runners have 60 hours to complete the race.

• Each loop must be completed within 12 hours. If a runner fails to finish a loop on time, they are disqualified.

Navigation

• The course is unmarked, forcing runners to rely on maps, compasses, and their wits. GPS devices are strictly prohibited.

• Many runners get lost, which is why completing even a single loop is considered a major achievement.

The Books

• Along the course, runners must locate hidden books and rip out a page corresponding to their bib number to prove they completed the loop. Missing a page means disqualification.

The Secretive Entry Process

The Barkley Marathons is notoriously difficult to enter. The application process is shrouded in secrecy, and there’s no official website or publicly available instructions. Here’s what’s known:

1. The Application Letter: Runners must send a handwritten letter to Gary Cantrell explaining why they deserve to compete.

2. The Application Fee: The fee is a modest $1.60, but first-time participants must also bring a license plate from their home state or country.

3. Selection: Only 40 runners are accepted each year, selected at Lazarus Lake’s discretion.

4. First-Timer Penalty: First-timers are labeled “virgins” and are given a special role—such as lighting the ceremonial cigarette that marks the race start.

Unique and Quirky Traditions

The Barkley Marathons has a host of traditions that add to its mystique and charm:

• The Start: The race begins at an unspecified time. Runners only know the race is about to start when Cantrell blows a conch shell. One hour later, the race begins when he lights a cigarette.

• The "Fun Run": Completing three loops (around 60 miles) is known as the “Fun Run.” Only a small percentage of participants even achieve this milestone.

• The Loop Names: Each loop has its own unique name, such as the “Reverse Loop” or the “Night Loop,” which add to the race’s complexity and unpredictability.

Why Is the Barkley Marathons So Hard?

The Barkley Marathons is widely considered one of the toughest races in the world due to the following factors:

1. Brutal Terrain

Frozen Head State Park features dense forests, thorny underbrush, and steep climbs. Runners must bushwhack through briars, navigate rocky descents, and cross streams—often in the dark.

2. Lack of Support

Unlike traditional races, the Barkley offers no aid stations, pacers, or route markings. Runners are completely self-sufficient and must carry all their food, water, and gear.

3. Sleep Deprivation

Most runners complete the race with little to no sleep, pushing their bodies and minds to the brink of collapse.

4. Mental Strain

The lack of clear directions, the difficulty of finding books, and the looming threat of disqualification make the Barkley as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

The Finishers

Since its inception in 1986, fewer than 20 runners have completed all five loops of the Barkley Marathons. Some years, no one finishes.

Notable Finishers:

• Mark Williams (1995): The first-ever finisher.

• Jared Campbell: The only three-time finisher (2012, 2014, 2016).

• John Kelly (2017): The first American to finish in over a decade.

• Courtney Dauwalter: While she hasn’t finished, her strong performances have inspired women in the sport.

The low finish rate—less than 1%—is a testament to the race’s near-impossible difficulty.

Cultural Impact of the Barkley Marathons

The Barkley Marathons has become a cultural phenomenon, thanks to its mystery, unique traditions, and extreme difficulty. It has inspired documentaries like "The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young", which captured the imagination of runners and non-runners alike.

The race’s allure lies in its unpredictability, its defiance of traditional race conventions, and its celebration of raw, unfiltered endurance. It’s not just a race—it’s a test of human limits.

Why People Attempt the Barkley Marathons

So, why do runners willingly subject themselves to this madness? For many, the Barkley represents the ultimate challenge:

• For the Experience: Just toeing the line at the Barkley is a badge of honor.

• To Push Limits: Runners see the race as an opportunity to test their physical and mental boundaries.

• For the Mystery: The secrecy, quirks, and unpredictability of the Barkley make it one of a kind.