I think it's a fun race to follow, even though some of the super fans are a bit cultic/snobby about their intricate knowledge of the event's idiosyncrasies.
I imagine John Kelly is the favorite? I see Jamil Coury didn't make it to the starting line.
No doubt this is a very tough "Physical Challenge"....and something I'd be horrible at I'm sure.
It looks to be a lot of power hiking, surviving the weather/exposure, mud/snow and off trail route finding. A scavenger hunt of survival in the woods. Not really a "race" per se....at least not the running type.
However I do think it is interesting how it's caught a certain media angle and become such a legendary event. The mystery, the extreme duration and vert, the limited field size and the quirky traditions add a certain allure that captures the interest of a higher populace. Ironically IMO it is probably the most exclusive and elitist mountain-ultra-trail running event in the world though. Nearly impossible to get into (like Hardrock)...unless you know someone and are part of the good ol' boys club.
At least the big time running race ultras (UTMB, Comrades, Western) are accessible to the rest of us commoners (or top runners that are fast enough to earn their spot by performance)
Has anyone finished it on their first try that didn't buddy up with someone who had already finished or at least knew most of the course? I think thats my main issue with it is that it is possible to finish but only if you know where the hell you are going. You are forced to either make multiple attempts until you know the area well enough to account for any changes from year to year or get lucky enough to run with someone who has already finished.
Yes, I believe Mark Williams (the first Barkley finisher) fits your bill.
3 straight pages of arguing about nothing really. Sheesh.
1.) Sure the race is way more power hiking than running. But it's a race that attracts a lot of ultra runners, along with thru hikers, orienteers, etc. It's a very interesting mash up of different athletes, but at the end of the day it is still a race that predominantly attracts runners. Is it really bad to discuss such a thing on a running forum? I mean being a fan of running is already niche enough without having to tear down running disciplines that you are not a fan of. I'd say it beats 90% of the non-running stuff that gets thrown at this board every day. If you aren't interested just don't comment
2.) The size of Barkley is restricted by the land management agency in frozen head (forest service I think?) because it goes off trail through sensitive areas. The size of the Barkley literally cannot be expanded unless you want to change its location or the entire nature of the race. It sucks that it's as limited as it is, but I haven't heard any better solutions.
3.) The whole point is to design a race that tests the limits of your physical and mental capabilities simultaneously, and obviously to achieve that the race has to have more complexity to it than even something such as Hardrock. I think it's cool that the race gets harder as the limits of what is possible get reset.
I'm bummed that Jeff Garmire decided not to run this year- I really thought that he had the right skillset and background for something such as this. Also very curious how Stringbean would fare at Barkley. The self supported AT and supported AZT both show how insane his mental game is and I could see him thriving in this event.
No doubt this is a very tough "Physical Challenge"....and something I'd be horrible at I'm sure.
It looks to be a lot of power hiking, surviving the weather/exposure, mud/snow and off trail route finding. A scavenger hunt of survival in the woods. Not really a "race" per se....at least not the running type.
However I do think it is interesting how it's caught a certain media angle and become such a legendary event. The mystery, the extreme duration and vert, the limited field size and the quirky traditions add a certain allure that captures the interest of a higher populace. Ironically IMO it is probably the most exclusive and elitist mountain-ultra-trail running event in the world though. Nearly impossible to get into (like Hardrock)...unless you know someone and are part of the good ol' boys club.
At least the big time running race ultras (UTMB, Comrades, Western) are accessible to the rest of us commoners (or top runners that are fast enough to earn their spot by performance)
Just checked in. Apparently only 4 runners still out there. Weather was abysmal. Both Kelly and Sabbe came back in from Loop 2 hypothermic.
John Kelly (Last finisher) Karel Sabbe (holds the AT and PCT fastest times) Greig Hamilton (3 loop finisher in 2019) Jasmin Paris (Female)
Paris will probably get (at least) a fun run (3 loops). Left for her 3rd loop at like 23:30 which would give her 12 hours to get the loop done to get a fun run. Most average 12 hours on the 3rd loop
No one has ever finished all 5 Loops if they've come thru Loop 3 slower than 24 hours. That being said, John Kelly has said that just getting out there for the 4th loop and more time on the course is beneficial, even if you know you won't finish the 5th in time.
Hamilton has the orienteering experience to do well. Sabbe, obviously, has the multi day experience and Kelly, well, Kelly has the massive course experience from growing up in/around those woods and knowing what the 5th loop entails.
3.) The whole point is to design a race that tests the limits of your physical and mental capabilities simultaneously, and obviously to achieve that the race has to have more complexity to it than even something such as Hardrock. I think it's cool that the race gets harder as the limits of what is possible get reset.
Courtney and Harvey are two of the mentally toughest runners around. They dropped on lap 2. Someone else got DQ’d because a page of the book flew away in the wind.
it’s not a mental challenge. It’s a gimmick event that’s outlived its interestingness.
Called it. That's a bad RD IMO. He knew what he was sending them into.
I love that while other ultras are trying to be safer because of the hypothermia deaths in a race last year, Barkley is like "these are ideal hypothermia conditions! Let's race!"
Called it. That's a bad RD IMO. He knew what he was sending them into.
I love that while other ultras are trying to be safer because of the hypothermia deaths in a race last year, Barkley is like "these are ideal hypothermia conditions! Let's race!"
The date of the race is set MONTHS, if not almost a year ahead of time.
It's not like the RD looks at the weather forecast, sends out a mass email and says "Get yo a** here by 6am tomorrow"
The date of the race is set MONTHS, if not almost a year ahead of time.
It's not like the RD looks at the weather forecast, sends out a mass email and says "Get yo a** here by 6am tomorrow"
I know. I think it was foolish. But these people are adults and can decide whether or not to race, just like the people who died in the ultra that had also been scheduled ahead of time.
Called it. That's a bad RD IMO. He knew what he was sending them into.
I love that while other ultras are trying to be safer because of the hypothermia deaths in a race last year, Barkley is like "these are ideal hypothermia conditions! Let's race!"
The date of the race is set MONTHS, if not almost a year ahead of time.
It's not like the RD looks at the weather forecast, sends out a mass email and says "Get yo a** here by 6am tomorrow"
Yeah, and this year he set the race 3-4 weeks earlier than normal, when it's likely to be colder and even crappier.
He did this on purpose. I think he's trying to kill the race because he's tired of it.
I could be wrong since its been years since I watched the movie but didnt John Fegyveresi group up with some other people in the beginning? I know he was alone during the last laps. Maybe Brett or Mark solo'd the whole thing and finished first try?
Or rather than kill it, he doesn't want the race 'tarnished' by too many people finishing it. Now that it is attracting so much more attention more and more world class people are showing up.
Yeah, Courtney and Harvey are two of the toughest mentally and chose to run at this race because it pushes your mental limits in a way that other events do not. I don't get how you're using two athletes that willingly entered this race as an example against it