The 2024 Barkley Marathon saw a record five finishers, including Jasmin Paris, the first woman to complete the race. The previous record was set in 2023 with only three runners. In the 36 years prior, since its inception in 1986, a total of only 15 runners had conquered the grueling course.

However, no runner has managed to conquer the race for two consecutive years, as the Barkley Marathon increases its difficulty.

Sebastian Raichon begins loop two at the Barkley Marathons in Frozen Head State Park, Wartburg, Tennessee, 14/2. *Photo: News Sentinel*

The 2026 Barkley Marathons began at 6:00 a.m. on 14/2, the earliest start time in the race's history. Held at Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee, the event concluded in disappointment as no athlete managed to complete the required five loops. The two runners who lasted the longest on the course were Sebastian Raichon (France) and Damian Hall (United Kingdom).

Raichon completed loop three in 38 hours 5 minutes 46 seconds, missing the 36-hour cutoff, a mandatory condition for advancing to loop four. He was recognized for completing the "Fun Run" (three loops). Meanwhile, Hall returned to camp without collecting enough book pages as required, officially withdrawing from the race. The British runner stated that dense fog and cold, wet weather made this year's race exceptionally grueling.

Only 12 of the approximately 40 starting athletes completed loop one, the lowest number in the race's 40-year history.

Rain began to pour down on the evening of 14/2, turning the course into slippery, muddy terrain. Along with Raichon and Hall, French-Canadian runner Mathieu Blanchard returned to camp around 4:30 a.m. after finishing loop two. American athlete Max King arrived a few minutes later. Hall reportedly started loop three barefoot, carrying his shoes, while King fashioned temporary "boots" from plastic bags to keep his feet dry.

Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell checks the book pages that each athlete must collect and submit at the Barkley Marathons in Frozen Head State Park, Wartburg, Tennessee, 14/2. *Photo: News Sentinel*

The Barkley Marathon is widely considered the toughest ultra trail race on the planet, held at Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee. The race consists of five loops around a course over 20 miles (32 km) long. The exact distance can vary, but the race is estimated to cover at least 120 miles (192 km), featuring significant elevation gain and rugged terrain. Runners have a 60-hour limit to complete the race.

Runners are prohibited from using GPS devices and are given a cheap watch set to "Barkley time" (the 60-hour limit). They must find and collect pages from 13 books hidden along the course, corresponding to their bib number, with a new bib issued for each loop. Any runner failing to collect the required number of pages is disqualified.

Dubbed "the race that breaks athletes' spirits," the Barkley Marathon challenges runners with mountain ranges featuring a cumulative elevation gain of nearly 19,000 m, twice the height of Mount Everest.

Former track and field athlete Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell initiated the race in 1986. The idea for the race originated from the 1977 story of James Earl Ray, a convicted murderer who escaped from Mountain State prison in Morgan County, Tennessee. After a 60-hour manhunt, Ray was captured only 8 miles (12 km) from the prison. The Barkley Marathon course was built in the very woods adjacent to the former prison.

Each year, the race only accepts approximately 40 athletes. To be selected, runners must submit an essay on the topic, "Why I should be allowed to run the Barkley?" to the organizers. Those with the most impressive essays gain entry to the race for an entry fee of just over one USD. Some have even offered a bribe of 1,000 USD to participate, but Cantrell has flatly refused.

Hong Duy (*according to Canadian Running Magazine*)