In the world of ultra-trail, some races have a reputation for being particularly gruelling. Among them is the Barkley. It is a race covering over 160 km with an enormous elevation gain, strict time limits and highly unusual rules. These many factors have earned it a reputation as the toughest ultra-trail in the world.
Key takeaways:
- The Barkley was created in 1986 by Gary Cantrell following a prison escape in Tennessee.
- Only 40 people can take part in each edition, and the registration process is kept secret.
- This ultra-trail takes place over 60 hours, covering 160 km, with 18,000 metres of positive elevation gain, an unmarked course, unpredictable weather and zero assistance.
- In 2023, Aurélien Sanchez became the first French runner to achieve the feat of finishing the Barkley.
The origins of the Barkley
The toughest ultra-trail in the world was created in 1986 in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, USA. The Barkley has its origins in a real-life event from 1977. That year, James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., escaped from Brushy Mountain Penitentiary. After a 55-hour manhunt through the Frozen Head forest, he was finally apprehended by police.
Inspired by this story, Gary Cantrell, nicknamed "Laz", devised an extreme race with his friend Karl Henn. The first edition brought together just 13 participants, who had to run 50 miles (80.5 km) in under 24 hours.
Over the years, the race evolved into its current format. Since 1995, runners must cover 100 miles (160.9 km), spread across five loops, in under 60 hours. The loops are not run in the same direction, to add to the difficulty. For those unable to reach the finish line, it is possible to claim the "Fun Run" — completing three loops in under 40 hours.
Registration conditions
Every year, only 40 participants are invited to the Barkley. However, registration is not open to everyone. Runners must have undergone rigorous ultra-trail training and find Laz's contact details, which are kept secret. They must then send a motivation letter by email on a specific date. If selected, participants must sign a legal waiver and pay the entry fee of $1.60 (one cent per kilometre covered).
The toughest ultra-trail in the world takes place every year between late March and early April. To take part, newly selected runners must bring a licence plate from their home country. They receive a map of the course the day before the race and are only notified of the start time one hour in advance, via a foghorn.
What makes the Barkley the toughest ultra-trail in the world
The time limit and the elevation
Several factors combine to make the Barkley the toughest ultra-trail in the world. First, participants must complete each of the five loops of the 160 km course within a maximum of 12 hours, in order to stay within the 60-hour limit. They must also take on 18,000 metres of positive elevation gain — nearly double that of the UTMB.
The unmarked course and the weather
Each year, the course changes and is only revealed the day before the race to prevent any reconnaissance or preparation. Participants move through unknown terrain, primarily off marked trails and in changeable weather (heat, rain, fog, frost…). They must therefore pack appropriate trail running clothing and trail shoes suited to all conditions.
No assistance and no GPS
During the race, participants have no assistance or aid stations, except at the start area. GPS devices and altimeters are banned — navigation relies solely on a map and compass. The absence of fixed landmarks, combined with rivers that can form during heavy rain, significantly increases the risk of disorientation.
Passage confirmations
To validate the race, runners must confirm they have followed the course correctly. To do so, they receive a new bib number at each loop. They must then locate books hidden at strategic points and tear out the page corresponding to their number.
The race duration
On top of the demands of the race itself, the weather and navigation challenges, participants must also push their bodies to the absolute limit. With the race spanning 60 hours, they must endure two consecutive sleepless nights to cross the finish line. This sleep deprivation, compounded by physical exhaustion, can trigger visual and auditory hallucinations, forcing many to abandon.
Aurélien Sanchez's victory in 2023
Since 1995, only 21 participants have managed to finish the Barkley. Among them, French athlete Aurélien Sanchez. After several years of training, he entered the 2023 edition. While no participant had completed the ultra-trail since 2017, three runners succeeded that year. Aurélien Sanchez finished in first place in 58 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds, beating American John Kelly and Belgian Karel Sabbe.
Aurélien Sanchez's race was marked by a setback on the final loop. A hiker had picked up one of the books, meaning the French runner was unable to tear out his page. His loop was nonetheless validated, allowing him to earn finisher status. The following year, he attempted the race again but was unable to finish.
While there are many extremely tough races out there, the Barkley is widely considered the hardest ultra-trail in the world. Beyond the physical demands, runners must navigate accurately, push through sleep deprivation, adapt to changing weather conditions and prepare themselves mentally.
