S. Canaday wrote:
it is a pretty exclusive event that is hard to get into...kinda like Hardrock. This is actually ironic because the ultra-trail running community likes to say they are "opening and welcome to all" but there is a certain element of "elitism" and exclusivity in some circles for sure.
And no, I have no desire to do Barkleys...I'd probably get lost and freeze on the first loop. Doing a scavenger hunt power-hike in the mud/brambles off-trail in remote Tennessee is not my cup of tea. I'm sure it's really hard though.
Sage, with due respect, I don't see you applying to Barkley anytime soon. It's no secret it's not in your wheelhouse, and I truly say that with all respect, and it seems you don't have a good handle on the race. I do appreciate your input in general when you're in position to opine and offer insight (that's often). I don't think this is such a situation. Ultimately, definitely not all, but most people with strong credentials to indicate serious potential for some sort of success get in. This year provides an excellent case in point, Karel Sabbe and Greig Hamilton - both of whom have no prior ties to Laz or any of Laz's races, and are the two who advanced the farthest this year. If you're not familiar with their resumes, you're not digging deep enough. But as you well know, the world is deeper that what ultrasignup may show. I assure you (and Laz has said this), if Kilian (and I assume his ilk) wanted in, he'd have no issue gaining entry.
As far as elitism goes, you make a fair point, but it's worth nothing that Hardrock insists it's not a race, it's a run. Clearly with the field limits, that's really what it is. Some odd year may result in it being more of a race. Fans of the race are the ones who hype it to be more of a race than it is. In trying to protect the nature of the event, some limits need to be made, including having a strong presence of veterans of the race.
Part of the shtick of Barkley (syntactical correction, no "S") is it makes no claims to be anything more than any other race, and is intended to be in part a satirical race of exclusive races (pick your desert stage race of choice, Badwater, etc which all cost an exorbitant sum). They just trash talk the entrants. The "media" are the ones to hype it (rightfully and at perhaps at times, otherwise).