Every Runner Fails to Finish ‘World’s Toughest Race’ only few People Have Ever Completed?

Every year, a select few brave souls take on race one of the most grueling and demanding challenges in the world: The Barkley Marathons. This year, however, not a single runner crossed the finish line. Known for its extreme difficulty, the Barkley Marathons pushes participants to their absolute limits, both physically and mentally.

What Makes The Barkley Marathons So Brutal?

The Barkley Marathons, held annually in the isolated and rugged terrain of Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee, is not your typical ultramarathon. While most ultramarathons focus on sheer distance, the Barkley Marathons introduces a whole new level of difficulty with off-trail navigation, extreme climbing, and an unforgiving course.

The challenge consists of five loops, each roughly 20 miles, adding up to over 100 miles in total. But here’s the kicker: participants are given just 60 hours to complete all five loops. Sounds tough, right? Well, it gets worse. The race also includes about 60,000 feet of elevation gain. For comparison, Mount Everest is just over 29,000 feet high.

The Terrain: No Walk in the Park

The runners face steep hills, dense forests, and unpredictable weather conditions. In short, it’s “sadistic torture,” as it’s often described. Competitors have to be prepared for everything: rough, uneven trails, treacherous climbs, and a never-ending battle with exhaustion.

The race also requires off-trail navigation, meaning runners can’t simply follow a marked path. They must rely on old-school map and compass skills, adding another layer of challenge to this already brutal competition.

The Race’s History: Few Finishers, Even Fewer Winners

Founded in 1986 by Gary ‘Lazarus Lake’ Cantrell, The Barkley Marathons was designed to push runners to their limits. Despite being around for nearly four decades, the event has only seen 20 finishers in its history. To put that into perspective, more people have been to the moon than have completed the race.

The first-ever finisher came in 1995 when Mark Williams became the first person to cross the finish line. Since then, a few others have joined the ranks, with Jared Campbell currently holding the record for the most finishes, having completed the race three times.

This Year’s Heartbreaking Outcome

Unfortunately, this year, the course claimed every single competitor. The race started with a group of hopeful runners, but by the end, the count dwindled down to zero. As of yesterday, there were only six runners left. By the end of the race, there were no finishers. This meant no one could match the incredible achievement of British runner Jasmin Paris, who completed the race last year in just under 60 hours, becoming the first woman to do so.

While there were no official finishers this year, one runner, John Kelly, was praised for his “Fun Run” accomplishment. Kelly, a three-time Barkley Marathons finisher, managed to complete three of the five loops within the 60-hour time limit, finishing 10 minutes before time expired. This was considered one of the most significant achievements of the year.

The Unconventional Race Entry

Applying to compete in The Barkley Marathons is not an easy task. There’s no website or public registration—getting in is shrouded in mystery. If you do manage to secure an invitation, you won’t know the start time until the day of the race. Instead of a traditional race gun, an official lights a cigarette to signal the start of the event. It’s all part of the eccentric and challenging nature of the race.

The Race That Breaks You

Despite the lack of finishers, The Barkley Marathons continues to draw runners from all over the world, each hoping to conquer the brutal challenge. However, it’s clear that this ultramarathon isn’t just about running—it’s about surviving the most extreme conditions and testing your mental and physical limits.

The race remains a symbol of human endurance, where only the toughest can hope to survive the brutal course. And with no finishers this year, it’s clear that the Barkley Marathons still holds its title as the toughest ultramarathon in the world.