Mar 20 2025 No Comment by Minel D

Barkley Marathons 2025: Updates, Quotes, and Chaos

Posted in Random Thoughts

I timed my vacation/race-cation/staycation-at-parents just right — no work distractions while I follow the 2025 Barkley Marathons 🙂. Wasn’t sure it would work out, but it did. Also knocked out the LA Marathon last Sunday (read about that here: LA Marathon Reunion Run) as part of this time off.

Back in Sept 2023, I visited Frozen Head (not during this race, but the baby Barkley version), and I swear I can feel the Barkley atmosphere again, just reading updates on X, it’s like I’m there.

Below are my updates as I read them from X.

Mar 29, 1:30 AM PT:  The 2025 Barkley Marathons is over, with no finishers.

John Kelly finished the Fun Run (3 loops) but then tapped out.  Sebastien (Frenchman) returned to the yellow gate after loop 3 within 40 hrs, but did not complete the loop and was also tapped out.  Tomo arrived 2 hrs later and was, obviously, tapped out.  Rough conditions overnight,  rain with 50 mph winds.  Barkley won this time.  Till next year…

https://www.irunfar.com/2025-barkley-marathons-results

Mar 19, 9:45 PM PT:  We just learned that the iconic sign on the yellow gate has been replaced.  It will be put up for auction, to raise funds for the race.  They deserve it, with only $1.60 of race fees, this will greatly help the race organization.

Mar 19, 8:55 PM PT:  Over 36 hours in, runners are still on Loop 3, and a 5-loop finish looks unlikely.  If anyone reaches the yellow gate by hour 40, they complete the Fun Run.  No updates yet from @KeithDunn on any returns.

As we wait for the final three runners to return from loop 3, here’s a brief overview of the Barkley Marathons, its history and its creator, endurance artist, Gary Cantrell, aka Laz.

Mar 19, 3:23 PM PT:  3 runners remain on the course, likely they are John Kelly, Tomokazu Ihara, and just guessing, Sebastien Raichon.  As of 2:30-ish PM PT, Tomo and John have passed the Fire Tower, John just about 30 min from Tomo, per @keithdunn on X.  I’m rooting for Ihara-san this year!  Go Japanese Laz!

Mar 19, 9:50 AM PT:  John Kelly (2x BM finisher and 2x Fun Run finisher) just finished Loop 2 in 25:00:40.  He started Loop 3 ~15 min after he finished Loop 2.  It must be a tougher course this year, course-correcting after last year’s 5 finishers.

Mar 19, 9:15 AM PT:  ~24 hours in, no one has finished Loop 2 yet.  Wait, just reported, Tomokazu Ihara just finished Loop 2 in 24:32:50.  Will there be any finishers this year? Or at least a fun run finish? Stay tuned… I’ll keep updating throughout the next few days.

Mar 19, 7:20 AM PT:  #BM100 started at 11:37 AM EDT on Mar 18, 1 hour the conch was blown,  Here are updates as of now, for those interested but can’t keep up with Keith M. Dunn on X (or whatever your go-to platform is – X has the most real-time updates from folks onsite):

  • 40 starters this year
  • 10 finished Loop 1 and started Loop 2
  • 4 dropped in Loop 2
  • The rest dropped during Loop 1
  • 6 runners remain in the race

Notable quotes:

  • “I got the full Barkley experience of being navigationally embarrassed.” — Runner
  • “For as bad as you make it sound, it is worse.” — Runner
  • laz: “You’re coming in from the wrong direction!”
    runner: “I left my sense of humor behind.”

Random bits:

  • The sacrificial virgin survived Loop 1.
  • Tomo appears to be running Loop 2.
  • Someone was seen running down Hwy 62—new Quitters Lane? Still needs to return the watch.
  • Chris Fisher and Thomas Calmettes are out after Loop 2.
  • Strategy of “follow a veteran”? Didn’t go so well.

Also, Laz made it on the local town news, so much for keeping it a secret!  Hopefully, Frozen Head State Park and the local town in Wartburg and nearby can benefit from the bump in tourism.

Link to unofficial google sheet another fan created, to track participants.  Follow @keithdunn and @trailrunner on X, that’s where I’m getting the goods.

#BM100