“What I did was nothing compared to the athletes. Self-deprecation replaced playful bravado as he settled into a collapsible camping chair. RELATED: Watch – The Race That Eats Its Young Muddy and still carrying his water bottles and a single trekking pole, he explained that this run was particularly important to him, as it marked his return to the Barkley after being diagnosed with prostate cancer three years earlier. Runners must collect pages from each of these books to get credit for a loop.

No one has finished this race since 2017.įurtaw had just withdrawn from the race after completing a portion of one loop and collecting pages from five of 14 books strewn along the course.

This famed gate is the start and finish line of the grueling ultramarathon, where runners must complete five loops of about 20 miles each in under 60 hours through the steep hills and dense underbrush of Frozen Head State Park in Eastern Tennessee. The slender 74-year-old folded his arms and leaned on one of the stone columns supporting a yellow gate. “Anyone who doesn’t think five books at the Barkley is an accomplishment can kiss my ass!” shouted Ed Furtaw to the crowd gathered for the 2022 Barkley Marathons. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!

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