The Barkley Marathons is designed to sit right on the edge of possible. Sixty hours. Five loops. Nearly all off trail. No GPS. No course markings. Books hidden in the woods. A cigarette lights the start.

In 2021, I stepped onto the course and heard Taps play when my race ended. In 2026, I’m lining up again.

In this episode, I break down what Barkley actually is, how it started under at Brushy Mountain, why it keeps getting harder, and what makes it different from every other 100 miler on the planet. We talk navigation, the fun run, the infamous virgin sacrifice, the conch shell, the secretive entry process, and why even legends like John Kelly can get stopped at three loops.

But more than that, this is about why anyone would go back.

Barkley is not about speed. It is not about splits. It is about finding your limit in a world where almost nothing forces you to.

And in 2026, I’m going to try again.

Chapters

00:00 The Origins of the Barkley Marathons

02:51 The Challenge and Difficulty of the Race

05:47 The Unique Entry Process and Race Structure

08:50 Navigating the Course: Skills and Strategies

12:09 Mental Toughness and the Experience of Running

15:04 The Community and Culture of the Barkley Marathons

18:11 Inspiration and the Future of the Barkley Marathons

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