The Barkley Marathons, a grueling and enigmatic race held in Frozen Head State Park, kicked off at 11:37 a.m. on March 18, 2025, and the tension among participants is palpable. Fewer than two dozen individuals have completed this brutal 100-mile course over its three-decade history, and as the 2025 event unfolds, sports enthusiasts are eager to see if competitors can match or surpass the previous years’ milestones.
With perfect weather at the start, the leading runners embarked on their first loop but quickly found themselves falling behind the pace that yielded record finishes in the past two years. Notably, the previous year saw five finishers, including the first female finisher, Jasmin Paris.
David “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell has been putting competitors to the test since he created this extraordinary race in 1986, motivated by the infamous escape of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassin from Brushy Mountain penitentiary. The Barkley Marathons includes an ever-changing course estimated to be over 120 miles long, with five loops that each come in at more than 20 miles. Runners must complete these loops within a 60-hour limit, and notable restrictions, such as no GPS or traditional aid stations, add to the difficulty.
This year, race officials and spectators have noted an intriguing twist: some athletes reportedly struggled even before the first loop was completed. Keith Dunn, the race’s official informant, noted, “A couple of French runners and Back to the Future guy are through the Fire Tower.” His reports come as some runners have already exited the race early, unable to cope with the demanding terrain. Two competitors had been ‘tapped out’ before completing the opening loop.
The evolution of the Barkley Marathons has been remarkable, particularly in recent years. The first finisher in more than a decade emerged in 2023, when three runners—among them, John Kelly—managed to finish all loops. Last year produced a landmark achievement with five finishers, including Paris, who made history as the first female to complete the course. Keeping these feats in mind, hopes remain high for this year's entrants, including the seasoned Kelly, who is attempting his eighth Barkley, and others like American Kris Rugloski and Englishman Tim Landy.
However, not all previous finishers are back for this edition. Ukrainian-Canadian Ihor Verys, the first Canadian to finish the race in 2024, is sitting out this year as he recovers from an injury sustained in 2023. As the race progresses amidst anticipation, there are pressing questions regarding who will be able to complete the arduous course.
The race itself is not just a physical challenge; it’s a mental test as runners navigate complicated trails marked only by occasionally hidden book pages, which they must find and collect as proof of completion. There’s no room for error because missing pages results in immediate disqualification. Adding to the challenge is the unpredictable weather forecast; this year, a few rain showers are anticipated, threatening to complicate muddy conditions and further test the mettle of the runners.
As the 2025 Barkley Marathons takes its course, it is not just a race of endurance but a captivating combination of survival instincts, mental resilience, and sheer determination. For those looking to follow the progress, updates are shared exclusively by Keith Dunn on social media—where the race can be tracked through the widely-used hashtag, #BM100. Without the conveniences of live tracking, the information flow remains sparse but engaging, adding to the mystique of this storied event.
The Barkley Marathons stands as one of the most challenging ultramarathons ever attempted, paralleling the drama of its creation and the surreal landscapes through which nightmare-tested runners must navigate. As the race unfolds, the eyes of the world will be watching, fascinated by the individuals willing to push the boundaries of human endurance in the face of profound adversity.
