I'm following as closely as I can.

It appeared to me that Mike Wardian did not make the cut off for loop 1. Is that true? If so, it must be his inability to navigate/find the books because the guy is tough as nails an fit as all get out.

Crazy, intriguing event.

---

----------------------------
Jason
None of the secrets of success will work unless you do.

True, Wardian did not make the cut off. I thought I'd read he did a marathon the week before and ran a 2:29

Ouch. That's certainly not going to help one week later.

---

----------------------------------------------------------
Zen and the Art of Triathlon. Strava Workout Log
Interviews with Chris McCormack, Helle Frederikson, Angela Naeth, and many more.
http://www.zentriathlon.com

They both finished loop 3.

Two loops to go...

FUN RUN!

So fun......!

These guys are freaks.

---

----------------------------
Jason
None of the secrets of success will work unless you do.

Perhaps you missed my intent. The organizer likes to call completing 3 loops aka 60 miles of hell, " the fun run". Sort of a play on how hard it is to do the whole 5 loops (and however many miles it ends up being).

i wonder if anyone is wearing a gamin and will clock this years actual mileage.

No GPS allowed, the race provides basic watches

compass allowed


sick race. why david goggins or chuck norris for that matter isn't in it?

Not following this year's event, in fact, never heard of it till my daughter mentioned it to me a few weeks ago (much to wife's chagrin... looks intriguing). I highly recommend the documentary on Netflix about this event (titled "The Barkley Marathons"). Just watched it last week. Very entertaining and provides great insight to what these competitors go through.

---

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Blog: https://swimbikerunrinserepeat.wordpress.com

badwater vs barkley
whats harder?

Based of the finisher rate and amount of finishers, Barkleys is much harder.

There's a great Netflix movie on the Barkely's Marathon - "The Race That Eats Its Young"

http://barkleymovie.com

Barkley. Take the physical difficulty of Badwater and add in the misery of not even knowing if you're going the right way and can't see where the hell you are going. I've been hiking in that area before and you can't tell if you're on the right trail, or even a trail at all. And then forest blocks you from being able to see the shape of the terrain, so topo maps become useless. Similar stuff like that in the Ozarks. We knew we were near water because of an eagle's call. But couldn't see it until we were within maybe 100 yards. Are we in a valley? Maybe. Mountain top? I guess so. Is this the right trail? Are we even on a trail? Way different than being able to see where you're going. Mentally very frustrating stuff.

---

----------------------------------------------------------
Zen and the Art of Triathlon. Strava Workout Log
Interviews with Chris McCormack, Helle Frederikson, Angela Naeth, and many more.
http://www.zentriathlon.com

This race is so cool. I wish they had live updates but of course that goes against the spirit of Barkley.

This was a great read from a guy that participated last year (Gary Robbins). I'm surprised he was able to recount anything at all about that last lap. Talk about a descent into madness! I'm definitely rooting for him this year.

And, you know, because I was curious - according to Wikipedia, the best female runner only completed 66 miles (so a little ways into the fourth loop). I wonder if a woman will ever finish this race...

Sorry. I got your intent. I should have delineated my sarcasm.

I hate to admit that there is part of me that wants to give this race a try. The smart, sane, analytical part understands that it is crazy and that the suffer level is incredibly high but the "screw-is-loose" part of me thinks that pitting yourself against this course would be a cool thing to do.

Any updates on anyone getting to loop 5?

---

----------------------------
Jason
None of the secrets of success will work unless you do.

Latest update has the 2 remaining "runners" (death hikers / survivors) is that they should be getting done with loop 4 soon.

I would love to just try one loop to see what it is like. No way do I ascertain any hopes of doing more than that.

I've seen the Netflix video, and just took around 30 minutes reading that race report - wow! I can't imagine even doing one of those loops, let alone attempting even two.

---

Blog: http://262toboylstonstreet.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/NateThomasTri
Coaching: https://bybtricoaching.com/ - accepting athletes for 2023

Has there ever been a Sasquatch sighting by one of the runners?

They got 4 loops done... lets see if they both start the 5th. It is gonna be super tight to make the cutoff with that beast of a course this year. They got 13:30 left. Fastest loop 5 ever was a 12:45.
Given that this is NOT a fast course this year (Barkley wanted to make sure there were no more low 50 hrs completions), this is gonna be a nail biter.

John Kelly has started loop 5 CW, Gary Robins 10 min behind CCW.

Gotta catch some sleep and be following in 13 hrs.

Yeah, this one is gonna be close. Rain is forecast for today as well so it's going to get even harder.

As I went to bed last night, I thought of how long these two guys had been going at it in the forest at Frozen Head. It amazes me anyone can even complete one loop

3 hours left.

breaking tweet update a minute ago -

"Discussion in camp is whether to cancel the race at this late time because of rain"

A little over an hour left.... go John!!

---

blog

I met John just after the finish of IM Maryland and I was really impressed by his run that day. This is incredible, I hope both him and Gary get through loop 5.

Keep in mind, the inspiration for this "race" came form James Earl Ray's escape from Brushy Mountain Prison ... It's not likely he had a lot of intel about the surrounding woods either [in fact, he covered less than 10 miles in a little more than 2 days]

---

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

looks like John finished in 59:30

---

blog

I was just watching a FB thread on this, he was the only finisher. Other guy (Gary) didn't make it in time

Canadian Running Magazine had done a few stories in the leadup on Gary, and the training he was doing. His accomplishment to make it as far as he did is incredible, but I can't imagine the devastation to come up just short in a 60-hour race 2 years in a row.

#BM100 Twitter account said "2 minutes to go", and that was 15 minutes ago, so looks like Gary did not make it. Devastating after putting so much in to it.

https://twitter.com/...s/848955807165276160

SIX SECONDS????

yup, 6 measly seconds. however, he came in to the gate from the same direction from which he left, when he should have come from the opposite direction. he had all the pages, but somehow got turned around.

I have to laugh at Barkley's with a race, what starting whenever the guy wants (you wait for the horn to signal 1 hour to start), the course is described as being "out there" and cuts a guy 6s too late. #ironic

---

Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

And I believe Gary won the HURT 100, setting the course record, which rated one of the nastiest ultras ever - In the jungles of Hawaii. Gary can win that thing overall, but can't even finish Barkley in time... says a lot about how nasty Barkley is.

Pic of some of the HURT 100 course. I can only imagine how bad the Barkley one is.

---

----------------------------------------------------------
Zen and the Art of Triathlon. Strava Workout Log
Interviews with Chris McCormack, Helle Frederikson, Angela Naeth, and many more.
http://www.zentriathlon.com

Video of his finish...

http://runningmagazine.ca/...ley-marathons-recap/

That is brutal. From now on when I think I am having a bad day, I'll just remember this, and it'll help put it all into perspective. I don't even know any of these participants, but, somehow, I feel absolutely awful for the poor guy- hope he is not thinking, "if I had only not stopped to tie my shoe that one time..." I worry he could get wrapped up in the what-ifs with that result.

---

"There are two ways to slide easily through life- to believe everything and to doubt everything- both ways save us from thinking "- Korzbyski

I have followed Gary for a number of years and watched all of the Ginger Runner videos where Gary was included...he is an amazing dude...this is devastating for him. He worked his ass off training for this. He ascended 214,843 ft. running just in 2017 in preparation for this race...that's INSANE.

Here is a GR lead-up video that gives some context to how devastating this will be for him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuzRMQXCK0g

I've never done an ultra marathon or even a trail race. Probably never will. But I was completely invested in Gary's journey and was devastated to see him come so close. I can't even watch these videos, I feel so heartbroken for him.

I suppose there is always next year but how much PTSD can one guy take??? The Barkley sounds like hell on earth. I hope he recovers (mentally even more than physically) and finds something positive in the whole thing.

Trying to decide if this is worse than finishing third at Olympic Trials and missing the team by by 0.01. I feel like it is.

He also finished coming from the wrong direction. He ran the last loop CCW, so he should have been finishing coming downhill from the trail. Not coming uphill on that paved section. He made a wrong turn somewhere, possibly within the last 90 minutes and that may have cost him that 6 seconds.

---

blog

Yeah, in the video, you can hear Laz tell him (as they are looking at the map) "you came in the wrong direction". So he would have had a DQ even if he had made it in less than 60. Heartbreaking nonetheless!

In a world of accommodation, and "everyone is a winner"...we need the Barkley.

Old School, Brutal, Unforgiving, and clear cut.....6 seconds over?...better luck next time.

Laz's attitude is refreshing....it was an epic failure.

We need more of this in this world. We need the Barkley.

http://runningmagazine.ca/2017-barkley-marathons-recap/


This story has the videos. It's heartbreaking.

Funny you said that about the Olympics, have a friend that that exact thing happened to. Are you referring to Chuck Aragon in 1500 Olympic trials?

So this is a bit of a non story - the 6 seconds - in so far as he did not miss out by 6 seconds but failed to finish by 2 miles

It is a truly epic undertaking and even coming within 2 miles is a massive achievement

Statement from the RD- Laz:

A message from the RD of The Barkley Marathons #bm100:
i wish i had never said 6 seconds...

gary had just come in after having run off course
and missing the last 2 miles of the barkley.
that is, of course, not a finish.

i do, however, always record when runners come in,
whether they are finishing a loop, or not.
so, i had looked at the watch,
even tho there was no possibility that he would be counted as a finisher.

so, when someone asked if he had gotten in before the limit;
i foolishly answered.

i never expected the story to somehow become that he had missed the time limit by 6 seconds.
he failed to complete the course by 2 miles.
the time, in that situation, is meaningless.

i hate it, because this tale perpetuates the myth that the barkley does not have a course.
the barkley is a footrace.
it is not an orienteering contest,
nor a scavenger hunt.

the books are nothing more than unmanned checkpoints.
the boston marathon has checkpoints.
and you have to show up at all of them or you can be disqualified...

that does not mean you are allowed to follow any route you choose between checkpoints.

now, the class with which gary handled this terrible disappoinment
at the end of a truly magnificent performance...
that was exceptional,
and is, in and of itself, a remarkable achievement.

but he did not miss the time limit by 6 seconds.
he failed to complete the barkley by 2 miles.
laz

Hmm...the word "course" and that race seem confusing to me based on all the documentaries and videos about it. He says it's not orienteering but that seems exactly what causes people to fail is actually not being able to navigate from point to point on the course.

It's his race/event though so he can say whatever he'd like and there are lots of checkpoints(books) but getting from book to book seems totally arbitrary to me looking in.

I was right there with you. I always thought that you needed to navigate from book to book (in order) but there wasn't a set course. However, it appears I was wrong. From what I have gathered, it looks like he does map out a path between books and that route is what you are supposed to navigate and follow. Someone posted to an ultra forum the below link. It shows the "course" from the 2006 race.

http://www.mapmanusa.com/cci-twp-persp-12.html


I will never know what exactly goes on as I don't ever plan to participate.

I think you picked the wrong example. There really don't seem to be designated winners. Just finishers, and course records. It's the ultimate recognition of a finisher.

Watch ESPN if you want rampant glorification of winning at the expense of all else.

It's really a combination - there is a specific course that the runners should follow, but part of the challenge is to navigate that course. In orienteering, you are free to choose your own path between the checkpoints.

Can anyone clarify how the RD came to the conclusion that he missed two miles of the course. If the course loop map linked in this thread is indeed accurate, in order to come to the gate from the direction he started would he not have had to go around the gate at some point "off course". I understand that he definitely did not do the course as it was intended, but if anything did he not do extra mileage? I don't understand how he could be short two miles, have all the pages, and come in from the other side of the course it just doesn't make logical sense.

Here is a blog from Gary: http://garyrobbinsrun.com/...ose-but-no-cigarette

This clears up many of the questions that we all have on what happened yesterday.

So I assume youd prefer a race that coddles all participants, declares everyone a winner and overlooks rules just to make sure everyone feels they accomplished something even if they didn't do anything. In an era where the majority of triathletes pick a race based on if its wets suit legal or not and demand to be declared finishers even if they come in over 17 hours we need races like Barkley and people like Gary and Laz who understand what accomplishment means. If you think coming in 6 seconds after a race cutoff deserves to count as a finish then I don't know what to tell you. If I come in 6 seconds after cutoff in a race and the RD doesn't DNF me, I would DNF myself in a heartbeat. But if you wouldn't do this and can sleep at night then more power to you.

---

2x Deca-Ironman World Cup (10 Ironmans in 10 days), 2x Quintuple Ironman World Cup (5 Ironmans in 5 days), Ultraman, Ultra Marathoner, and I once did an Ironman.

I was thinking 4th, but depending on the event they might send 2 or 3, so I get where you're going for

And, which would be further worse? Having the spot wrapped up and fading at the end to lose it, or busting your ass to get in and just barely missing it?

---

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

I get they want to stick to the rules....I just kinda laugh that this particular event with the unique setup (no official starting time......orienteering definetly comes into play), and it was a DQ of 6s (which now comes out that the way he finished meant he missed/skip part of it, so the 6s became irrelevant.

A race that is started by a lighting of a cigarette that is out in the wilderness and it came down to 6s, that was why I laughed that it was such a DQ by Laz. And I get it, rules are rules, I just laughed at this particular race where it's a part run race, part orienteering and "100" miles is a very liberal term that you have Laz there with a stop watch counting down the seconds. That is the part that was funny to me.

---

Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II

This....exactly.

I have no business at this race. I don't have what it takes. I love that it exist for the majority of elite athletes that find out "they don't have it either..." Uncompromising!

Whooa, relax buddy! He was just poking fun at how the exaggerated ad-hoc, loose nature of the start timing and the course can still come down to a 6-second timing DQ. There whole event, is in its very, nature, absurd. Which has some humor in it. And the absurdity is also what makes it so great.

(And actually he wasn't DQed for time, he was DQed for not completing the course - even though his detour was longer). The 6-second thing went viral, but wasn't the official reason.

And I also find it ironic that you're agreeing with someone complaining about the "everyone's a winner" mentality and your signature line lists what appears to be finishes as your proudest accomplishments. (Maybe you won those things, but if you did, it apparently wasn't as important as finishing).

I'm more of a fish so I was talking about Olympic trials for swimming where the top two qualify (for track it's three, right?).

I don't know what would be worse. Maybe that's why I think Gary's experience is so compelling and raw. To get caught from behind is awful, but to be touched out after a late surge sucks, too. I'm not easily comforted by the whole "I gave it my all" mantra. To lose by such a slim margin makes you wonder what could have been...

At least there's next year for him...four years for the Olympics is just brutal.

He wasn't DQ'd at all. He just didn't finish.

"you have to realize that everyone there was totally exhausted.
barkley is 60 hours of relentless pressure,
(even for those not running)
if they got the initial report a little off kilter it is perfectly understandable.
that is really my fault
i know better than to comment on tangential details,
but it was not entirely tangential.
gary had been trying to got in under 60 hours for so long,
operating over the red line,
and off a single 15 minute nap
that objective was stuck in his mind,
even tho he knew that his error had certainly cost him the official finish
his autopilot remained set on that goal.

social media is the reaction of people who were not there.
i'm not sure if it possible to understand the event from a distance.

by the way, i also regret that people keep referring to it as a DQ.
DQ happens to people who pretend to have completed the race,
and get caught.
Gary never made any pretense about what happened.
He was not DQ'ed, he just missed the finish by a miniscule margin.
unfortunately, it is the difficult, even tragic, circumstances
that allow a man to show his true merit.

laz "

You're right. My bad. I read that same quote from the RD right before I posted too, so I have no excuse!

Mara Abbott's 4th place in the Olympic road race was pretty brutal. Not even getting caught out by 2 people or 5. But 3. The perfect, minimal # to knock her off the podium.

But this just shows that the experience of loss, victory, or pride in finishing is acutely personal. This podunk race is light years from the Olympics in so many ways, something known or cared about by a very few. But at that moment it was everything to Gary. You can see some of the essence of sport distilled to its purest form there.

Well, that does not always happen, either

Mike Rossi clearly didn't complete the Via Marathon, but [despite the fact the evidence against him is compelling] the RD never DQ'd him

I am certainly NOT comparing Gary Robbins to Mike Rossi*; Gary made an error, whereas Mike Rossi had a plan





* In spite of the Double Letter Cheater Identification Protocol

---

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

http://deadspin.com/...marathons-1794174086

---

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin