The 2025 Barkley Marathons had a rough start, with 85 per cent of the field dropping out by the end of the first loop or shortly into the second. Of the 40 entrants who started, 34 runners were unable to continue due to the unseasonably warm temperatures at Frozen Head (the state park in northeastern Tennessee where the race takes place). On Tuesday and into Wednesday, temperatures climbed to 72 F (22 C), taking a toll on competitors.
Julien Chable has become the latest to drop out on Loop 2. Six runners remain in the race. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 19, 2025
At the time of publication, only six runners remained on the course, inching closer to the 24-hour mark within the 36-hour deadline to complete three loops and continue to a fourth. A reported 10 runners completed the first loop.
Last year’s race saw a record five runners completing all five loops within the 60-hour cutoff. This year, however, such a feat appears unlikely. Barkley Marathons enthusiast and author Jared Beasley noted that this year’s race marks the latest start in history, as the event typically occurs earlier in March.
The race officially began with the blowing of the conch at 10:37 a.m. on Tuesday, signalling the start at 11:37 a.m. ET. If the six remaining runners manage to complete three loops within the cutoff, they’ll have until Thursday at 11:37 p.m. to finish. However, they now face an additional challenge—rain and freezing temperatures are forecasted at the park through Thursday.
Among the six remaining competitors, two have been identified: seasoned veteran John Kelly (USA), who is aiming for his fourth Barkley Marathons finish, and Japan’s Tomokazu Ihara, who is striving for his first finish, after six attempts. Three Canadian runners started the race, including Barkley veteran Jodi Isenor of Nova Scotia, but none completed the first loop within the 12-hour cutoff.
The event is masterminded by Gary Cantrell, better known as Laz Lake, who created the race in 1986. It was inspired by the infamous prison escape of James Earl Ray, convicted of assassinating American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1967. Ray’s attempted escape from Brushy Mountain penitentiary—now abandoned—forms part of the legend and the race’s challenging course.
The rules
The Barkley Marathons consist of five loops around a course of more than 20 miles. The exact distance varies, but the race is estimated to span at least 120 miles (192 km), with significant elevation gain and rough terrain. Runners have a 60-hour limit to finish. GPS devices are prohibited; participants are issued an inexpensive watch set to “Barkley time” (the 60-hour limit). Competitors must find and collect pages from 13 books hidden along the course, corresponding to their bib number, with a new bib issued for each loop. Missing pages result in disqualification. While water is available at certain points, there are no traditional aid stations. Runners can receive assistance from their crew only at the main camp between loops, but the clock never stops.
