The 55-mile version was referred to as “the short one” and the 100-miler, “the long one.” In 1995, Mark Williams, of the United Kingdom, became the first to finish the full 100-mile version of the Barkley Marathons with a time of 59:28:48. In 1988 'Frozen' Ed Furtaw, from North Carolina, became the first to finish the original short version of the course with 32:14. įor the early years, the Barkley was 50-55 miles or so, with about 25,000-27,000 feet of climbing. Cantrell named the race for his longtime neighbor and running companion, Barry Barkley. Cantrell said to himself, 'I could do at least 100 miles,' mocking Ray's low mileage. Ray covered only about 12 miles (19 km) after running 54.5 hours in the woods hiding from air searches during the day. The idea for the race was inspired upon hearing about the 1977 escape of James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., from nearby Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. The Barkley course was the brain child of Gary ' Lazarus Lake' Cantrell and Karl Henn (Raw Dog). The race is limited to a 60-hour period from the start of the first loop, and takes place in March or early April of each year. The course, which varies from year to year, consists of five loops of the 20+ mile, off-trail course for a total of 100 miles (160 km). The Barkley Marathons is an ultramarathon trail race held each year in Frozen Head State Park in Morgan County, Tennessee. Not a chance in hell I'd try it myself though.Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, U.S. It is heart breaking and it makes for gripping viewing. With no markers and no GPS, can't you cheat? No, there are books at various points in the woods and you have to find them all, tear out the page that matches your race number (that changes each loop) and get a full set. but you only have 60 hours to complete it. Completely solo, no help, no markers, no water stations, intentionally fluid organisation, even no set start time.

Most people don't complete 1 Lap, never mind all 5. 5 laps, in daylight and at night, going opposite directions on each loop. Invite only and limited to 40 entrants per year, to tackle a 130(ish) mile course, across mind bogglingly hard terrain that you have to navigate yourself, with map/compass, no GPS. Low-fi homespun logistics tying together possibly the nuttiest and toughest course on the planet.

I've heard of The Barkley Marathons before, but this doc really nails it. Reviewed by garethcrook 8 / 10 Inspiring and heart breaking.

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