The Barkley Marathons: The Ultimate Ultra Trail Challenge

The Barkley Marathons stands out as a uniquely grueling ultra trail race, held in the rugged terrain of Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee. Unlike traditional races, the start date and course remain enigmatic until the last moment, enhancing its allure and mystique. Participants receive mere hours of notice before the race kicks off, indicated by the distinct sound of a conch shell. The race itself officially begins when Lazarus Lake, the event’s enigmatic creator, lights a cigarette, showcasing his delight in the rigorous challenge he has designed.

In this unconventional race, modern GPS devices and tracking tools are discarded in favor of simplicity. Competitors are equipped with basic Walmart watches that only display race time on a 24-hour cycle—completely indifferent to the actual starting time. Checkpoints are hidden throughout the treacherous terrain, marked only by books where runners must tear out pages associated with their race number. With unpredictable weather and a challenging landscape, the Barkley Marathons has a notorious history of few finishers; many editions see zero runners completing the course. Since its inception in 1986, only 20 individuals have successfully completed all five loops, marking a rare accomplishment in the realm of endurance sports.

The 2024 event saw a remarkable turn of events, with Jasmin Paris etching her name in history as one of five finishers, igniting curiosity about what the future holds for the next race in 2025. Will Lazarus Lake impose even more brutal challenges? Only time—and an unpredictable social media landscape—will tell. For those intrigued by this extreme endurance challenge, we provide a curated list of essential documentaries about the Barkley Marathons that offer insights into this unparalleled event.

1) The Race That Eats Its Young

Released in October 2014, The Race That Eats Its Young runs for 89 minutes and can be found on platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Prime. This documentary gained popularity for shedding light on the obscured world of the Barkley Marathons, showcasing the 2012 edition while maintaining its raw and authentic essence. Despite being released almost a decade ago, it continues to resonate with audiences, providing an unfiltered look at one of the toughest races imaginable.

2) 2023 Barkley Marathons Documentary

Released in July 2023 with a runtime of 41 minutes, this documentary captures a historic moment for the Barkley Marathons. For the first time ever, four runners commenced the final loop, and three entered the winner’s circle. Jasmin Paris notably initiated her fourth lap, a feat not accomplished since 2012, before ultimately succumbing to the race’s severe conditions. The film highlights the intense struggles of competitors Aurelien Sanchez, John Kelly, and Karel Sabbe, showcasing the drama that unfolded during this compelling installment of the Barkley Marathons.

3) Last Women Standing ft Nicky Spinks

Released in November 2019, this 40-minute documentary available on YouTube scrutinizes Nicky Spinks’ first attempt at the Barkley Marathons. Although no woman has officially finished the race, Spinks’ journey illustrates the remarkable potential of female ultrarunners. The film documents her challenges and experiences on the course, offering an intimate view of the demanding nature of the Barkley. As Spinks continues to return to the race, audiences are left wondering how close she might come to securing a finish in future attempts.

4) Where Dreams Go to Die: Gary Robbins and the Barkley Marathons

This 1-hour and 16-minute documentary, released in May 2018 on YouTube, follows the journey of Canadian trail runner Gary Robbins, who attempted the Barkley Marathons in both 2016 and 2017. The film delves into Robbins’ arduous preparation and training routines, highlighting the mental and physical challenges that come with the race. Robbins’ emotional journey serves as a testament to the daunting obstacles the Barkley presents, even for seasoned trail runners.

5) Out There

Released in February 2020, the 54-minute Out There documentary chronicles Karel Sabbe’s attempts to conquer the Barkley Marathons. It explores the motivations and experiences of those drawn to ultrarunning, tracing Sabbe’s journey from record-setting achievements to the relentless trials of the Barkley. His impressive feats on trails give context to the extreme challenge he faced and ultimately overcame during the 2023 race.

6) “A Race That’s Kinda Crazy” and #17 Finisher Karel Sabbe

Set to be released in March 2024, the documentary titled “A Race That’s Kinda Crazy” will delve into Aurélien Sanchez’s unprecedented victory at the Barkley Marathons in 2023. Similarly, another highly anticipated documentary focusing on Karel Sabbe, who experienced both success and failure in the race, will showcase his transformative journey. These films promise to offer deeper insights into the camaraderie among runners and the extreme nature of the Barkley encounter.

As the next Barkley Marathons approaches, anticipation builds around what challenges will await competitors in 2025. While live updates during the race are scarce, maintain your interest in this iconic event through our race previews and comprehensive documentaries that help illustrate the intensity of this legendary ultra trail race.