Barkley Marathons

The Barkley Marathons is an ultramarathon trail race held in Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee. Runners may elect a "fun run" of 60 miles (97 km) or the full course of 100 miles (160 km) (distances are approximate). The race is limited to a 60-hour period, and takes place in late March or early April of each year.

The Barkley course was designed by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell. His idea for the race was inspired upon hearing about the 1977 escape of James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King, Jr, from nearby Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. Ray covered only 8 miles (13 km) after running 55 hours in the woods. Cantrell said to himself, "I could do at least 100 miles", chiding Ray's low mileage. Thus, the Barkley Marathons was born. Cantrell named the race for his longtime neighbor and running companion, Barry Barkley.

The Barkley is limited to 40 runners, and usually fills up quickly the day registration opens. Requirements and times to submit an entry application are a closely guarded secret, with no details advertised publicly. Potential entrants must complete an essay on "Why I Should be Allowed to Run in the Barkley", pay a $1.60 application fee, and complete other requirements subject to change. If accepted, an entrant receives a "letter of condolence". Upon arriving, new entrants (first time runners) are required to bring a license plate from their state/country as part of the entrance. People who have run the race previously are required to mail in an additional "fee" which in the past has included things such as a white shirt, socks, or a flannel shirt, as a donation for being non-finisher. If you have finished the race and are running again, your entrance fee is a pack of Camel cigarettes, which is given to Laz at the race. Race number 1 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" as Lazarus calls it.

The course itself, which has changed distance, route, and elevation many times since its inaugural run in 1986, currently consists of a 20-mile (32 km) unmarked loop with no aid stations except water at two points along the route and the runner's parked car at the beginning of the loop. Runners of the 100-mile version run this loop five times, taking a counterclockwise direction for loops three and four, followed by each runner alternating direction on loop five, after the first-placed runner's choice. Runners of the 60-mile "fun run" complete three circuits of the loop.

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