The 2022 version has begun.
I'll post results in 60 hours.
The 2022 version has begun.
I'll post results in 60 hours.
Isn't it usually held in late March or early April? Why the change this year?
All right!
This will be Gary Robbins year! Oh wait. He quit and decided he’s not doing it ever again. He must have had the twisties.
I hope Matt London enters. He could win the race.
I hope all the participants have a very pleasant walk!
walk in the woods wrote:
I hope all the participants have a very pleasant walk!
Hard core participants. But, yes, shouldnt have the word "marathon" in it.
I did it first.
What an overrated event this is.
SomeDumbGuy wrote:
Isn't it usually held in late March or early April? Why the change this year?
It is usually held in late March/early April, yes.
No idea why the change. One friend of mine who has attempted that the date change might have been done to keep down the number of people and press coming out to the park.
James Earl Ray wrote:
I did it first.
What an overrated event this is.
This. I'm amazed at the mystique of this event.
Mid 40s and 100% chance of rain tonight. It could be worse... 16 degrees and snow forecast for Saturday.
How would SJD do?
Who does Kipchoge have for pacers?
RicoFata wrote:
How would SJD do?
This is an orienteering and hiking race. So, probably not very well.
Yeah date change most certainly to keep people from coming to spectate but also pretty much guarantees there will be no finishers. Gary Robbins was smart to let this race go, he basically already finished anyway even if it wasnt an 'official' finish but why waste your life chasing an official finish of a race that is guaranteed to be next to impossible?
This is Jim Kiler wrote:
Who does Kipchoge have for pacers?
Kipchoge wasn't invited because he doesn't have a beard and a trucker hat.
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.
Haven't seen who is really there this year yet, but a few "more well known" names that are probably there:
Jared Campbell (3x Finisher of Barkley)
Luke Nelsen
Confirmed:
Courtney Dauwalter (The best female 100+ mile runner in the world)
Karel Sabbe (AT and PCT record holder)
Harvey Lewis
John Kelly (Last finisher of Barkley)
Maggie Guterl is NOT running this year but is crewing for John Kelly
Is there a favorite?
Yes. The course.
The course is always the favorite at Barkley.
James Earl Ray wrote:
I did it first.
What an overrated event this is.
No you didn't. Only 18 times has someone finished it and only by 15 individuals. Also James Earl Ray did 12 miles. The Barkley had no finishers in 2018, 2019, and 2021 (2020 was cancelled).
SomeDumbGuy wrote:
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.
Amelia Boone is on Twitter ordering people not to "out" any of the participants who haven't sef-declared their participation, as if this is a personal therapy session and not an overhyped obstacle race.
I'd expect they started it now because Dauwalter, Lewis and Kelly told Laz that if they didn't get it over with now, they wouldn't show up.
SomeDumbGuy wrote:
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)
S. Canaday wrote:
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)
This is so true. for such a secretive, mysterious race, the same people who want to get in every year have no trouble doing it. It's all very cliquey.