Barkley Marathons 2025: The Race That Eats Its Young
3 min read
The world’s toughest ultramarathon, the Barkley Marathons, has begun. This grueling event pushes elite endurance runners to their limits. Known for its secrecy, lack of GPS tracking, and brutal terrain, it remains one of the hardest races on the planet.
A Race Like No Other | Barkley Ultra Race
Nicknamed “The Race That Eats Its Young,” the Barkley Marathons takes place at Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. This 100+ mile challenge tests runners’ survival skills. Competitors must navigate five loops using only a map and compass. With over 54,000 feet of ascent—nearly twice the height of Mount Everest—the difficulty is extreme.
The Unpredictable Start | Frozen Head Endurance Race
Unlike traditional races, Barkley’s start time is a mystery until the last moment. This year, new race director Carl Laniak blew the conch shell at 10:37 AM on March 18. Runners had just one hour to prepare before the race officially started at 11:37 AM. As per tradition, race creator Lazarus Lake lit a cigarette to mark the beginning of the challenge.
Who’s Running in 2025? : Barkley Marathons 2025
The start list is secret, but key contenders have emerged. Claire Bannwarth, a two-time Winter Spine Race champion, is making her Barkley debut. Several past finishers are also returning to test their limits.
Notable competitors include:
- Past finishers aiming for another completion
- Last year’s Dragon’s Back Race winner
- Barkley Fall Classic winners—Tim Landy from England and Kris Rugloski from the U.S., who is eager to compete after missing last year due to injury
The Brutal Course & Harsh Conditions
Each 20-mile loop (rumored to be closer to 26 miles) must be completed within 12 hours. Runners tear out a page from hidden books along the route to prove they followed the correct path. Missing a page results in disqualification.
This year’s course remains a mystery until the day before the race. Runners receive access to a master map just 24 hours prior. With 80% of the route off-trail and no official aid stations, competitors face steep climbs, dense briars, and unpredictable weather.
Forecasts predict a mix of sunshine and storms later in the week. This will add another layer of difficulty to an already brutal challenge. | Frozen Head Endurance Race
The Barkley Finish Line: Few Have Reached It
Since the race began, only 20 runners have completed all five loops. This totals just 26 finishes in history. Last year, Jasmin Paris became the first woman to finish. She completed the race with only 99 seconds left on the clock. | Barkley Marathons 2025
Notable Finishers in Barkley History:
- 1995: Mark Williams (First-ever finisher)
- 2012: Brett Maune (Record time of 52:03:08)
- 2016: Jared Campbell (Only three-time finisher)
- 2023: Aurelien Sanchez, John Kelly, Karel Sabbe
- 2024: Ihor Verys, John Kelly, Jared Campbell, Greig Hamilton, Jasmin Paris (First female finisher)
How to Follow the Race
There is no official website, live tracking, or GPS use allowed. The best way to stay updated is through @keithdunn on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky. These platforms provide real-time updates as runners complete each loop. | Barkley Marathons 2025
Who Will Make History in 2025?
Last year saw a record-breaking five finishers. Will this year push the limits even further? Can another runner defy the odds and join the elite list of Barkley finishers? As the race continues, we will find out who has what it takes to conquer this legendary challenge. | Frozen Head Endurance Race
READ MORE TRENDS : NASA Astronauts Return to Earth After Nine Months in Space
About The Author
