Search
RUN247 / Running News / Trail Running News / Reigning champ Aurélien Sanchez OUT of Barkley Marathons

Reigning champ Aurélien Sanchez OUT of Barkley Marathons

Jonathan Turner
News Director
Published on

Aurélien Sanchez, last year’s winner – and only the 16th finisher in the history of the Barkley Marathons – has been tapped out of this week’s race early on the third loop.

The Frenchman defied the odds and rulebook to win on his debut at Frozen Head State Park in 2023.

And back for more he looked in with a decent chance of a repeat finish in the early stages.

Advertisement

Repeat bid ends before halfway

On Wednesday he clocked 8:45:48 for the first of five potential loops, compared to an almost-identical 8:45:53 12 months previously.

The time after the second loop was quicker by a much wider margin – 20:26:20 versus 21:13:06.

But he spent nearly an hour and a half in camp before beginning loop three and it wasn’t long before Keith Dunn brought the unwelcome news that he’d “dropped on loop three and was tapped out”.

Aurelien Sanchez Barkley Marathons winner 2023 [Photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram]
Aurélien Sanchez was the first home of three finishers in 2023 [Photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram]

Dunn, who provides the only official updates for the maverick event, added that Aurélien had said: “I don’t know how I did that last year.”

Advertisement

History-seeking Jasmin leads the way

Sanchez had been in 10th place at the time in a race which is now led by a front group of four comprising Jasmin Paris, aiming to be the first woman to finish the race, Damian HallJohn Kelly and Ihor Verys.

Four other runners – Sébastien Raichon, Greig HamiltonJared Campbell and Maxime Gauduin – also clocked under 20 hours for the first two loops, quicker than anyone managed last year when we saw the first three finishers since 2017.

You can keep right up to date with how the rest of the race plays out with our live updates page.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  

Latest Running News

Ruth Croft on her way to victory at the 2021 Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB 102km photo credit: Graeme Murray
Stellar fields, hat-trick seeking Kiwis and Western States Golden Tickets up for grabs in T102 in New Zealand
Konoka Azumi wins the 100-mile race at the 2024 Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB
Azumi looking to double up as she makes short hop to Rotorua for 100-miler at Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB
Hayden Hawks UTMB CCC 2024 photo credit UTMB
UTMB CCC champ Hayden Hawks looking to start year in style at Tarawera Ultra-Trail T50
XTERRA-Oak-Mountain-2023-men-podium-Serrieres-Lagerstrom-Sloth
‘Pure magic’ – triathlon star the latest to make ultrarunning mark with podium at Black Canyon
Paris-2024-Olympic-mens-triathlon-Alex-Yee-run-for-run247
“Hopefully I’ll have fun for the first 32km” – Olympic champ on digging deep in first marathon
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...