Barkley Marathon

What is the Barkley Marathon?

The Barkley Marathon is considered as one of the world's toughest ultramarathons. It is an annual race held in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee. The race was established in 1986 by Gary Cantrell and has only been finished by a few participants in the last three decades. The unique and challenging race route is 100 miles long and has an elevation gain of around 60,000 feet. The race also has a 60-mile "fun run" option.

To complete the Barkley Marathon, participants are required to navigate through five unmarked loops in less than 60 hours. There are no aid stations provided, and the runners must carry their own food, water, and other provisions. The Barkley Marathon's unpredictable weather, difficult terrain, and the need to navigate through the route without any GPS or maps make it an incredibly challenging endurance event.

What Makes the Barkley Marathon so Challenging?

The Barkley Marathon is a unique endurance event and considered extremely challenging due to several factors. Firstly, the race has a limited number of participants, and most of the runners that take part are seasoned ultramarathon athletes. Secondly, the race route is not marked, and the runners have to navigate through dense woods and punishing terrain. Thirdly, to complete the race, runners need to be entirely self-sufficient and carry all their food, water, and other provisions.

The unpredictable weather in Frozen Head State Park also adds to the challenge. Runners often face hypothermia, hyperthermia, and dehydration, and there are no aid stations to offer support. The Barkley Marathon is considered one of the most difficult endurance events globally and brings together athletes from around the world looking to push themselves to their limits.