When assassin James Earl Ray escaped from a Tennessee prison in 1977, he was missing for 55 hours. In that time, he only managed to get eight miles away before being recaptured. Race organizer Gary Cantrell heard this statistic and thought he could make it at least a hundred miles in that time. He organized the Barkley Marathons to test this theory.Since 1986, ultra runners have met in the hills of Frozen Head State Park to have a go at what many runners believe to be the world's hardest long-distance trail race because it has such a low finishing rate. In fact, the course is purposefully designed and adjusted to keep it at the outer limit of human endurance. Some years no one finishes.
Since the race began in 1986, only 9 runners out of about 700 have finished within the 60 hour cutoff. Past finishers have set speed records for the Appalachian trail. 2 past finishers have won Hardrock. 3 past finishers have finished Nolan's 14 (2 have won). 1 past finisher set the speed record for the Colorado fourteeners.
The course is relentless and never lets up - that's a given. Because of the distance, difficulty and time limits, runners must run around the clock at least once for the Fun Run and at least twice for the 100-mile. The course is not marked, so good navigation and orientation skills are a must.
I am humbled and in awe of the "9" that have completed the 100. They are a special breed. I honestly believe that a Barkley finisher is as elite as you can get. I believe that what goes on mentally and physically during this event is like what few other athletes ever experience. In essence, the Barkley is not about running - it's really about human potential, and the fact that we are capable of doing much more than we think.
The Barkely atmosphere is what every ultra runner hopes to have a chance to experience once in his/her running life. Gather thirty-five of your dear friends and share an experience that is wrought with challenges and obstacles that push the limits of what is possible. Bundle all that up into one hell of a good time, and you just found yourself in Frozen Head.
Is this my year to run the Barkley? Maybe, maybe not. But I will be there, and I will be ready to run. More importantly, I will be ready to NOT QUIT.
Cheers to Marmot (and maybe the MFRP) for the upcoming adventure. Who knows what the tide will bring, maybe they will call your number at the last minute at the gate! Regardless, I can't wait to hear about the adventure-Sweetwater sounds like a good place to hear about it!
ReplyDeleteleave it all out on the trail Sista! Don't bring one ounce of energy, tenacity, endurance, or wishfull thinking back home with ya. I hope you have an experience that you can never fully comprehend.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear all about it.
Sorry to hear you've gone insane. Say hi to Al Holtz for me - he's stopped trying to talk me into going down there.
ReplyDeleteYou made it to the BIG-TIME baby!!! Bet you never in a million years would have believed you would be writing these words (and looking for a license plate!) a year ago!
ReplyDeleteUn FRICKIN' believable! Someone call the men in the white coats . . . they have another one!! Give it all you got! I know you will!! Good luck and I can't wait to read your blog aout it!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou will do Great! See you at the yellow gate and ofcourse, Out There!
ReplyDeleteIso
Yay! I am with Frank (Triple F) - it makes the little jog that we will both be doing around Umstead a few times on the same day seem perfectly normal. Enjoy the raw chicken, don't get lost (as if!!) and.. well I would like to say enjoy it - but I am not sure that is appropriate!
ReplyDeleteWhoa! The Barkley! Give it your all and have fun.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear all about it! I ordered a book about the Barkley Marathon from Amazon and it's next in my stack.
ReplyDeleteSo.... I suspect you'll want a really good beer after this one huh...?
ReplyDeleteBarkley - Most respectable race. No other race is on the same scale.
ReplyDeleteWow.. that is incredible. Well written recap. I usually stop at 26.2.. that is a phenomenal effort. Enjoyed it. I would have gotten lost on an unmarked course.. phew.
ReplyDeleteGotta RUn,
www.facebook.com/WhyMarathon
www.WhyMarathon.com