The 2025 Barkley Marathons had a tough begin, with 85 per cent of the sphere dropping out by the tip of the primary loop or shortly into the second. Of the 40 entrants who began, 34 runners have been unable to proceed as a result of unseasonably heat temperatures at Frozen Head (the state park in northeastern Tennessee the place the race takes place). On Tuesday and into Wednesday, temperatures climbed to 72 F (22 C), taking a toll on rivals.
Julien Chable has change into the newest to drop out on Loop 2. Six runners stay within the race. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 19, 2025
On the time of publication, solely six runners remained on the course, inching nearer to the 24-hour mark inside the 36-hour deadline to finish three loops and proceed to a fourth. A reported 10 runners accomplished the primary loop.
Final yr’s race noticed a report 5 runners finishing all 5 loops inside the 60-hour cutoff. This yr, nevertheless, such a feat seems unlikely. Barkley Marathons fanatic and creator Jared Beasley famous that this yr’s race marks the newest begin in historical past, because the occasion usually happens earlier in March.
The race formally started with the blowing of the conch at 10:37 a.m. on Tuesday, signalling the beginning at 11:37 a.m. ET. If the six remaining runners handle to finish three loops inside the cutoff, they’ll have till Thursday at 11:37 p.m. to complete. Nevertheless, they now face an extra problem—rain and freezing temperatures are forecasted on the park by way of Thursday.
Among the many six remaining rivals, two have been recognized: seasoned veteran John Kelly (USA), who’s aiming for his fourth Barkley Marathons end, and Japan’s Tomokazu Ihara, who’s striving for his first end, after six makes an attempt. Three Canadian runners began the race, together with Barkley veteran Jodi Isenor of Nova Scotia, however none accomplished the primary loop inside the 12-hour cutoff.
The occasion is masterminded by Gary Cantrell, higher generally known as Laz Lake, who created the race in 1986. It was impressed by the notorious jail escape of James Earl Ray, convicted of assassinating American civil rights chief Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1967. Ray’s tried escape from Brushy Mountain penitentiary—now deserted—types a part of the legend and the race’s difficult course.
The foundations
The Barkley Marathons consist of 5 loops round a course of greater than 20 miles. The precise distance varies, however the race is estimated to span no less than 120 miles (192 km), with important elevation achieve and tough terrain. Runners have a 60-hour restrict to complete. GPS units are prohibited; individuals are issued a cheap watch set to “Barkley time” (the 60-hour restrict). Opponents should discover and gather pages from 13 books hidden alongside the course, akin to their bib quantity, with a brand new bib issued for every loop. Lacking pages end in disqualification. Whereas water is accessible at sure factors, there are not any conventional support stations. Runners can obtain help from their crew solely on the predominant camp between loops, however the clock by no means stops.
