I Attempted The Barkley Marathons...Here's What Happened

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The 2024 Barkley Marathons marked a historic moment in the event's history with an unprecedented five finishers. Among them were legends like John Kelly and Jared Campbell, adding to their impressive tallies, while Jasmin Paris etched her name in sports history as the first woman ever to conquer this brutal course.

Still, the Barkley remains one of the world's toughest ultra-endurance events. Covering somewhere between 100 to 120 miles with over 120,000 feet of elevation change (equivalent to scaling and descending Mt. Everest twice), and boasting only 20 finishers in its 40-year history, it's a race where failure is the norm.

Some of the Barkley's allure also stems from its enigmatic elements - a secretive application process, an unknown start time, a paltry $1.40 entry fee, and the eccentric race director, Lazarus Lake, known as a mad scientist of sorts.

Factor in the treacherous terrain, cryptic book drop course markings, and minimal interaction with crew and spectators, and it's no wonder the Barkley has captured the imagination of both the ultrarunning community and mainstream audiences alike.

Each year, 40 runners from across the globe descend upon Frozen Head State Park to test themselves at this event. In the 2024 edition, Singletrack had the privilege of shadowing Brooks Trail Runner Joe McConaughy, from training through race day as he embarked on a quest to complete all 5 laps in under 60 hours.

From behind-the-scenes glimpses of McConaughy's training regimen in the mountains outside Seattle to in-depth interviews and captivating footage from the Barkley itself, viewers are offered a window into the sheer physicality, mindset, and unwavering resilience demanded by this challenge.

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