Search

RUN247 / Running News / The conch has been blown and cigarette lit: But how many will finish Barkley Marathons?

The conch has been blown and cigarette lit: But how many will finish Barkley Marathons?

Chris Buckley
Editor & Trail Runner
Updated on

Legendary Barkley Marathons founder Gary ‘Lazarus Lake’ Cantrell has admitted he doesn’t expect to see any finishers at the 2022 race, which started at 07:54 CST (12:54 GMT) on Tuesday March 8.

The notorious five-lap, 100-mile race that takes place in Frozen Head State Park, East Tennessee, USA has seen only 15 runners finish since its inception in 1986. The route, which is 80% off-trail, includes 54,000ft of ascent. 

Advertisement

Strong field for 2022 Barkley

Looking ahead to this year’s race in an interview with inov-8.com, Cantrell said: “We have a really strong field, with several runners who have put in the failures needed to be fully prepared, so I think we have some people who could finish. And some who will finish…. but will it be this year?  

“There are so many unknowns, starting with the weather and continuing all the way through to some new parts on the course. I don’t think you can ever ‘expect’ a finish. It is going to play out how it plays out.”

Advertisement

Field full of women ‘outliers’ 

The interview with Cantrell follows the announcement that inov-8 ambassador Jasmin Paris will be one of the 40 athletes starting this year’s race.

Gary 'Lazarus Lake' Cantrell, founder of the Barkley Marathon
Gary ‘Lazarus Lake’ Cantrell, founder of the Barkley Marathon

No woman has ever finished the Barkley, which features strict cut-off times for each lap. And Cantrell explained the challenges that female competitors face: “Women’s records fall about 10% behind men’s records across pretty much every event,” he said. “If you take the men’s times from those that have finished the Barkley, none of them would be under the 60 hours if you add even 10%. 

“Does this mean no woman can do it? I don’t think so. But it is going to take an outlier among outliers. On the plus side for women, men don’t have a monopoly on desire or the ability to go beyond what seems possible. And we have a field full of women outliers.”

Advice to Jasmin Paris

Cantrell’s advice for Jasmin Paris is, he explained, the same advice he would give everybody: “Come loaded for bear, never give up, never back down, and keep that needle as close to the red line as you can without blowing your motor,” he said. 

Written by
Chris Buckley
With his passion for endurance running and love of content sees Chris contribute regularly to RUN247 using his experience of both to generate news, race previews and product reviews. 

Latest Running News

Katie Schide smiles finish UTMB 2024 photo credit UTMB
Pommeret and Schide the headline names ahead of upcoming Hardrock 100
Fiona Pascall wins Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB 2025 Photo credit: UTMB World Series
“Adrenaline from being charged by a bear” propels British star to top five at Western States
Kilian Jornet Western States 2025 photo credit Coros
Data underlines how the GOAT Kilian Jornet judged Western States pace to perfection
Abby Hall bib number 22 WEstern States 2025
‘Keep hoping and believing’ – Western States winner hopes her AMAZING injury comeback will inspire others
Kilian Jornet third at Western States 2025
‘The sport has grown, but it’s the same spirit’ – GOAT Kilian Jornet on Western States then and now
trail running on your terms

Never miss out with our trail alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.

The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...