can you expand on why the entry process is so biased? as a casual observer it seems like they do a good job of including pros w a legit shot (from all over the world), a good mix of men/women, different ages/backgrounds, etc.. afaik the 40 person limit is imposed by the park service.
Really? Have you ever seen a single black Barkley'er? It's no coincidence Laz decided to glorify the prison escape of James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated MLK. It is a white biased event.
The race doesn't glorify James Earl Ray. We also don't know how many people of color even register.
The escape of James Earl Ray lead to a discussion (or debate) because of how long he was out and how far he got, which was not very. It was a starting point of a discussion, not a tribute to the guy. Laz has addressed this many times and so far 8 haven't heard of any non-white runners complaining about any racism. Trail runners are generally a progressive bunch and I have no doubt the bias would have been talked a out of there was any.
Really? Have you ever seen a single black Barkley'er? It's no coincidence Laz decided to glorify the prison escape of James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated MLK. It is a white biased event.
The race doesn't glorify James Earl Ray. We also don't know how many people of color even register.
The escape of James Earl Ray lead to a discussion (or debate) because of how long he was out and how far he got, which was not very. It was a starting point of a discussion, not a tribute to the guy. Laz has addressed this many times and so far 8 haven't heard of any non-white runners complaining about any racism. Trail runners are generally a progressive bunch and I have no doubt the bias would have been talked a out of there was any.
that guy's just trolling don't pay him any attention
I want to know more about the missing book that was picked up prematurely, that Aurelian Sanchez, the winner, had to deal with. Did someone on course let him know that a book was missing? Was he searching futilely? Imagine the panic! To make it so far, be in such relative good shape, and no book! How long did he search?
I tweeted about how "exclusive" Barkley was (because of the "barriers to entry" and limited field size at 40ish runners only...but also how it's a very biased and subjective "entry process") and was absolutely roasted for it.
can you expand on why the entry process is so biased? as a casual observer it seems like they do a good job of including pros w a legit shot (from all over the world), a good mix of men/women, different ages/backgrounds, etc.. afaik the 40 person limit is imposed by the park service.
As explained in this article by Brian Metzler:
"Requirements and times to submit an entry application are a closely guarded secret with no details advertised publicly."
and
"More than half of the contestants each year are previous Barkley veterans."
I get the the field is limited due to "environmental concerns" but again the race is very, very small and very exclusive. RD Laz brings in just a enough (few) international star runners and a couple top women to keep it interesting....but most runners are repeat runners/midpackers and they are not bringing in fresh applicants (and no I didn't apply and don't care to ever try to do the race).
That's fine and all as it's a private event. But I stand by what I said when I say it's "exclusive" and entry is basically totally "subjective and biased" (save for maybe the winner at BFC and Big Dog's Backyard ultras?).
What is interesting to me is how much attention it gets though. I was actually thinking part of the appeal for some is probably treating it like a reality tv show like "Survivor" or some sort of entertaining "American Gladiator" theme? I also think the intrigue must come from the mystery and quirkiness of it all.....many ultra-trail runners (and even non-runners) like to relate to these "outside of the box" kinds of events I guess?
can you expand on why the entry process is so biased? as a casual observer it seems like they do a good job of including pros w a legit shot (from all over the world), a good mix of men/women, different ages/backgrounds, etc.. afaik the 40 person limit is imposed by the park service.
As explained in this article by Brian Metzler:
"Requirements and times to submit an entry application are a closely guarded secret with no details advertised publicly."
and
"More than half of the contestants each year are previous Barkley veterans."
I get the the field is limited due to "environmental concerns" but again the race is very, very small and very exclusive. RD Laz brings in just a enough (few) international star runners and a couple top women to keep it interesting....but most runners are repeat runners/midpackers and they are not bringing in fresh applicants (and no I didn't apply and don't care to ever try to do the race).
That's fine and all as it's a private event. But I stand by what I said when I say it's "exclusive" and entry is basically totally "subjective and biased" (save for maybe the winner at BFC and Big Dog's Backyard ultras?).
What is interesting to me is how much attention it gets though. I was actually thinking part of the appeal for some is probably treating it like a reality tv show like "Survivor" or some sort of entertaining "American Gladiator" theme? I also think the intrigue must come from the mystery and quirkiness of it all.....many ultra-trail runners (and even non-runners) like to relate to these "outside of the box" kinds of events I guess?
can you expand on why the entry process is so biased? as a casual observer it seems like they do a good job of including pros w a legit shot (from all over the world), a good mix of men/women, different ages/backgrounds, etc.. afaik the 40 person limit is imposed by the park service.
As explained in this article by Brian Metzler:
"Requirements and times to submit an entry application are a closely guarded secret with no details advertised publicly."
and
"More than half of the contestants each year are previous Barkley veterans."
I get the the field is limited due to "environmental concerns" but again the race is very, very small and very exclusive. RD Laz brings in just a enough (few) international star runners and a couple top women to keep it interesting....but most runners are repeat runners/midpackers and they are not bringing in fresh applicants (and no I didn't apply and don't care to ever try to do the race).
That's fine and all as it's a private event. But I stand by what I said when I say it's "exclusive" and entry is basically totally "subjective and biased" (save for maybe the winner at BFC and Big Dog's Backyard ultras?).
What is interesting to me is how much attention it gets though. I was actually thinking part of the appeal for some is probably treating it like a reality tv show like "Survivor" or some sort of entertaining "American Gladiator" theme? I also think the intrigue must come from the mystery and quirkiness of it all.....many ultra-trail runners (and even non-runners) like to relate to these "outside of the box" kinds of events I guess?
thx - makes sense to me. as a casual fan I'd rather see more fresh faces/ppl with a chance to complete get in but I have no say in the matter. I think the attention is partly because of the documentary (which imo is really well-done) + the difficulty/secrecy/tradition etc.. I like it quite a bit but am far from a barkley die-hard, there is a ton of stuff on trails/tracks/roads that gets my attention as well.
Really? Have you ever seen a single black Barkley'er? It's no coincidence Laz decided to glorify the prison escape of James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated MLK. It is a white biased event.
The race doesn't glorify James Earl Ray. We also don't know how many people of color even register.
The escape of James Earl Ray lead to a discussion (or debate) because of how long he was out and how far he got, which was not very. It was a starting point of a discussion, not a tribute to the guy. Laz has addressed this many times and so far 8 haven't heard of any non-white runners complaining about any racism. Trail runners are generally a progressive bunch and I have no doubt the bias would have been talked a out of there was any.
can you expand on why the entry process is so biased? as a casual observer it seems like they do a good job of including pros w a legit shot (from all over the world), a good mix of men/women, different ages/backgrounds, etc.. afaik the 40 person limit is imposed by the park service.
As explained in this article by Brian Metzler:
"Requirements and times to submit an entry application are a closely guarded secret with no details advertised publicly."
and
"More than half of the contestants each year are previous Barkley veterans."
I get the the field is limited due to "environmental concerns" but again the race is very, very small and very exclusive. RD Laz brings in just a enough (few) international star runners and a couple top women to keep it interesting....but most runners are repeat runners/midpackers and they are not bringing in fresh applicants (and no I didn't apply and don't care to ever try to do the race).
That's fine and all as it's a private event. But I stand by what I said when I say it's "exclusive" and entry is basically totally "subjective and biased" (save for maybe the winner at BFC and Big Dog's Backyard ultras?).
What is interesting to me is how much attention it gets though. I was actually thinking part of the appeal for some is probably treating it like a reality tv show like "Survivor" or some sort of entertaining "American Gladiator" theme? I also think the intrigue must come from the mystery and quirkiness of it all.....many ultra-trail runners (and even non-runners) like to relate to these "outside of the box" kinds of events I guess?
The exclusivity and subjectiveness of the field selection is bothersome IMO. Basically a cult around one guy that runs the show. Feels a little weird.
The appeal is simple: it's basically a survival race and there's so little information available that it builds the tension. For example, on Loop 5, you don't know where anyone is except when they pop up at the fire tower or stumble back into camp.
I think another big part of the appeal is that to non-runners it sounds way more cool to them than a normal race so it drives a lot of interest from people that normally wouldn't consider a running race interesting at all.
Personally, as I an ultra runner it is the least interesting to me out of all the big races to be hyped over. But I understand why it appeals to others.
Most kids unknowingly have some base skills and experience that will help later with Barkley. Namely, easter egg hunting and hide and seek in the dark. They may even have had a creepy old uncle that watches them and smokes cigarettes while they run around.
Personally, as I an ultra runner it is the least interesting to me out of all the big races to be hyped over. But I understand why it appeals to others.
If you understand that these morons are obsessed with walking and calling it "ultra running" then yes, you do understand why it appeals to others. They are pathetic, but you understand them.
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