Barkley Marathons

"The Barkley Marathons: A Race That Will Make You Wish You Were Never Born"

The Barkley Marathons is a 100-mile ultramarathon held annually in Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg, Tennessee. It is widely considered to be the most difficult footrace in the world, with a completion rate of less than 1%.

The race was founded in 1986 by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell, a former Special Forces soldier who wanted to create a race that would be even more challenging than the Leadville 100, which he had completed three times.

The Barkley Marathons is a five-loop course that covers a total of 100 miles and 60,000 feet of elevation gain. The course is marked with orange ribbons and runners are required to carry everything they need with them, including a sleeping bag, food, and water. There are no aid stations on the course, and runners are expected to be self-sufficient.

The Barkley Marathons is known for its extreme difficulty and high attrition rate. In 2019, only 15 of the 40 runners who started the race finished. The race has also claimed the lives of two runners,

• Robert Joyner in 1994
• Roger Martin in 2002

Despite the risks, the Barkley Marathons continues to attract runners from around the world. For many, the race is a test of their physical and mental limits. It is a chance to prove to themselves that they are capable of anything.

If you are interested in running the Barkley Marathons, be prepared for a challenge. The race is not for the faint of heart. But if you are looking for the ultimate test of your limits, the Barkley Marathons may be the race for you.

Call to Action:

If you are interested in learning more about the Barkley Marathons, I encourage you to visit the race website: barkleymarathons.com.

You can also follow the race on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.