A different kind of race. One that wasn’t fair, because life wasn’t fair

March 20, 2023 9:49 AM

For the first time since 2017 the Barkley Marathons have a finisher. For only the second time in the history of this endurance race which began in 1986, the race has three finishers. Aurélien Sanchez a first-timer from France, John Kelly from the US, and Karel Sabbe a dentist from Belgium all completed the course Thursday night, though none broke the fifty-two hour record set by Brett Maune in 2012. [prev1, prev2, prev3]
posted by jessamyn (13 comments total)

The Race that Eats Its Young
posted by prepmonkey at 10:13 AM on March 20, 2023 [2 favorites]

It makes me happy to live in a world where the Barkley exists. It is arbitrary and cruel and inspiring all at once.
posted by allegedly at 10:14 AM on March 20, 2023 [9 favorites]

I'm a regular, though casual, runner. Last month I tried an hour-long trail run, on mostly even, well groomed and clearly marked paths. Not only was I about 20 percent slower than my typical (road) pace, I had trouble walking for the next week.

What these people do is literally inconceivable.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 10:30 AM on March 20, 2023 [5 favorites]

Prior finishers of the marathon who return to run again must submit a pack of Camel cigarettes as part of the registration fee. Race bib number one is always given to the person deemed to be the least likely to finish one lap out of all who have applied; a "human sacrifice"

All marathons and ultra-marathons read to me like unsuccessful suicide attempts (barring the occasional tragedies when they are actually successful), but it's nice to see that this one maintains a sense of whimsy, at least.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 11:01 AM on March 20, 2023 [4 favorites]

Also note that Jasmin Paris became only the second woman in race history to head out on a 4th loop. Which she completed, but over time.
posted by maupuia at 11:05 AM on March 20, 2023 [7 favorites]

Pluto. I know a few people who have done full Ironmans and some ultra marathons and some folks who have struggled with depression/suicidal ideation and will say there is no much in common except for the idea of transcending pain.

I greatly enjoy the Barkley Marathons documentary above and the general mythology around it because I feel like the focus is on the sadism much more at the forefront than other events where “athletic achievement’ is more called out.

I have some experience hiking portions of the Western States 100 mile trail, as well as seeing the finish line coverage, and am simply amazed at how people can dig deep to do it in a day. These people don’t have a death wish, but do take pride in testing their limits.
posted by CostcoCultist at 5:37 PM on March 20, 2023 [5 favorites]

I am always surprised when I see someone jogging up and down Mt. Monadnock in SW New Hampshire. And then I remember that Barkley exists.

And then I am glad I am not a masochist. But Barkley makes it seem heroic. Almost.
posted by not_on_display at 7:29 PM on March 20, 2023 [1 favorite]

I did like this progress spreadsheet that was being updated throughout the race, mainly for the helpful description of each runner: "tall guy with beard"; "another bearded guy"; "another bearded guy" (I mean, you're trying to describe a male ultra runner, and the distinguishing feature you think of is "beard"? Why not "guy with shoes"? At least then you'd rule out the ones wearing sandals).

Also: "big smiling guy"; "guy with big grin"; "nondescript guy" and "the other guy".

I'm a regular, though casual, runner. Last month I tried an hour-long trail run, on mostly even, well groomed and clearly marked paths. Not only was I about 20 percent slower than my typical (road) pace, I had trouble walking for the next week.

What these people do is literally inconceivable.

I've run a decent handful of trail ultras, some over moderately difficult terrain.

I agree, what these people do is literally inconceivable.
posted by Pink Frost at 1:50 AM on March 21, 2023 [4 favorites]

The Wikipedia page is amazing if it's all true. Like, the thing about tearing pages out of the book is hilarious: it's more espionage tradecraft than race planning.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:38 AM on March 21, 2023 [2 favorites]

*lights cigarette*
posted by Ahmad Khani at 7:40 AM on March 21, 2023 [3 favorites]

Like, the thing about tearing pages out of the book is hilarious

Right? The second article talks about how "Sanchez’s second-place finish was nearly foiled by a day-hiker who accidentally took one of the books runners are supposed to tear pages from to prove their routing"
posted by jessamyn at 8:41 AM on March 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

I have volunteered a couple of times at a 100 km (62 mi) trail run in the nearby mountains. In addition to the distance, there's an insane amount of uphill with four true mountains to go over. My group (backcountry ski patrol) serves the most remote aid station, which is the next-to-last one, at around the 50 mile point.

The first few runners we see come in jogging at a brisk pace, having the time of their lives. They barely stop long enough to eat a hunk of watermelon (everyone wants watermelon) refill a water bottle and perhaps grabbing a popsicle for the trail. As the afternoon progresses, each runner that appears is slightly more bedraggled than the last. The last couple of runners will sit for half an hour, try to drink and eat. We wonder if we'll be hauling them out. Then they move on...up the last mountain.
posted by neuron at 8:42 AM on March 21, 2023 [3 favorites]

Here's a race report from Andrea Larsen, who gained entry to Barkley by being the overall winner of the Barkley Fall Classic - aka the baby Barkley. Winning the BFC is somewhat elite in itself, and gives a good insight into what's required for Barkley.

She was in great shape, had trained well, had good support. She finished Loop 2 and opted not to go out on Loop 3. A quote:
"After descending we made our way up the final climb where I couldn’t help thinking the brutality of repeating these climbs on a third loop. I secretly hoped to reach the gate at 26:39:50 to get my loop 2 to count but not have enough time for my pages to be counted and depart."

As Laz wants it, finishing the Barkley is possible, but right at the edge of human endurance. Next year will be harder now :)
posted by maupuia at 1:48 PM on March 21, 2023 [2 favorites]