Barkley Marathons
Encyclopedia
The Barkley Marathons is a 100 Mile Run and a 60 Mile Fun Run held annually in Frozen Head State Park
near Wartburg, Tennessee
in late March or early April.
The course itself, which has changed distance, route, and elevation many times since its inaugural run in 1986, currently consists of a 20 miles (32.2 km) loop with no aid stations except water at two points along the route and the runner's parked car at the beginning of the loop. Runners of the 100 Mile version run this loop five times, with loops three and four being run in the opposite direction and loop five being runner's choice. Runners of the 60 Mile Fun Run (considered to be harder than Hardrock
) complete three circuits of the loop.
With 54200 feet (16,520.2 m) of accumulated vertical climb, the 100 Mile Run is considered to be one of the more challenging ultramarathon
s held in the United States, if not the world.
In addition to running, competitors must find between nine and 11 books (varies per year) and remove a page from each book as proof of completion.
The cut-off time for the 100 Mile race is 12 hours per loop, and the cut-off for the 60 Mile version of the race is 40 hours overall, which averages out to approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes per loop. Since the race's inception in 1986, only ten runners (Mark Williams 1995, David Horton and Blake Wood 2001, Ted "Cave Dog" Keizer 2003, Jim Nelson and Mike Tilden 2004, Brian Robinson
2008 (course record 55:42:27), Andrew Thompson 2009, Jonathan Basham 2010, Brett Maune 2011) out of about 700 have completed the 100 Mile race within the official 60 hour cut-off. In 2006 nobody finished even the 60 Mile Fun Run in under 40 hours. The best women's achievement is Sue Johnston's 66 miles (106.2 km) in 2001. More than 30 competitors failed to reach first book (2 miles).
The race is limited to 35 runners and usually fills up quickly the day registration opens. Potential entrants must complete an essay on "Why I Should be Allowed to Run in the Barkley."
The course was designed by Gary Cantrell. His idea for the race was inspired upon hearing about Martin Luther King, Jr's assassin
James Earl Ray
escaping from prison, and making it only 8 miles (12.9 km) after running 55 hours in the woods. Cantrell said to himself "I could do at least 100 miles." Thus, the Barkley Marathon was born.
Frozen Head State Park
Frozen Head State Park and Natural Area is a state park in Morgan County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The park, situated in the Crab Orchard Mountains between the city of Wartburg and the community of Petros, contains some of the highest mountains in Tennessee west of the Blue...
near Wartburg, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
in late March or early April.
The course itself, which has changed distance, route, and elevation many times since its inaugural run in 1986, currently consists of a 20 miles (32.2 km) loop with no aid stations except water at two points along the route and the runner's parked car at the beginning of the loop. Runners of the 100 Mile version run this loop five times, with loops three and four being run in the opposite direction and loop five being runner's choice. Runners of the 60 Mile Fun Run (considered to be harder than Hardrock
Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run
The Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run is an ultramarathon in length, with of climb at an average elevation of over . The race is held on a loop course on 4WD roads, dirt trails, and cross country in Southern Colorado's San Juan Range, USA...
) complete three circuits of the loop.
With 54200 feet (16,520.2 m) of accumulated vertical climb, the 100 Mile Run is considered to be one of the more challenging ultramarathon
Ultramarathon
An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
s held in the United States, if not the world.
In addition to running, competitors must find between nine and 11 books (varies per year) and remove a page from each book as proof of completion.
The cut-off time for the 100 Mile race is 12 hours per loop, and the cut-off for the 60 Mile version of the race is 40 hours overall, which averages out to approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes per loop. Since the race's inception in 1986, only ten runners (Mark Williams 1995, David Horton and Blake Wood 2001, Ted "Cave Dog" Keizer 2003, Jim Nelson and Mike Tilden 2004, Brian Robinson
Brian Robinson (hiker)
Brian Robinson is the first to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail in one year, a feat that means he hiked a total of over 7,000 miles....
2008 (course record 55:42:27), Andrew Thompson 2009, Jonathan Basham 2010, Brett Maune 2011) out of about 700 have completed the 100 Mile race within the official 60 hour cut-off. In 2006 nobody finished even the 60 Mile Fun Run in under 40 hours. The best women's achievement is Sue Johnston's 66 miles (106.2 km) in 2001. More than 30 competitors failed to reach first book (2 miles).
The race is limited to 35 runners and usually fills up quickly the day registration opens. Potential entrants must complete an essay on "Why I Should be Allowed to Run in the Barkley."
The course was designed by Gary Cantrell. His idea for the race was inspired upon hearing about Martin Luther King, Jr's assassin
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
James Earl Ray
James Earl Ray
James Earl Ray was an American criminal convicted of the assassination of civil rights and anti-war activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr....
escaping from prison, and making it only 8 miles (12.9 km) after running 55 hours in the woods. Cantrell said to himself "I could do at least 100 miles." Thus, the Barkley Marathon was born.
External links
- Matt Mahoney's Barkley Marathons Site
- Washington Post article - "Why We Compete"
- The Believer magazine article - "The Immortal Horizon"