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RUN247 / Running News / Trail Running News / “There’s no one I love beating more than me” – Barkley Marathons legend John Kelly on getting faster at 40

“There’s no one I love beating more than me” – Barkley Marathons legend John Kelly on getting faster at 40

Jonathan Turner
News Director
Published on

John Kelly looks to be in prime form for whatever ultrarunning challenges come next judging by his latest training test – his annual marathon of hill repeats.

The American ultrarunning star, who turned 40 last November, was last in action at the Winter Spine Race, where he was the fourth man to complete the 268-mile epic.

He’s a former winner of that event as well as the FKT holder for the Pennine Way but is best known for his Barkley Marathons exploits.

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Crushing the downhills

Last year he was one of an historic five finishers of the infamous race in his home state of Tennessee, the third time he’s completed the five loops of Laz Lake’s fiendish event inside the allotted 60 hours.

He’s also helped bring the race to life for so many with his superbly-written insights, while all the time protecting the mystique which makes it unique.

We’re getting close to Barkley time again this year and Kelly’s latest venture would have been good preparation, though it remains to be seen who will be lining up in 2025.

But wherever he goes next, it sounds like Kelly will again be a force to be reckoned with.

Writing on Instagram, he explained: It’s that time of year for my (I think 10th!) annual marathon of hill repeats. This little tradition started in 2015 on a power line cut on Mar Lu Ridge in Maryland, when I first got into Barkley and had absolutely no idea what I was doing.

“Since then I’ve used an iron age hill fort in England (beautiful Maes Knoll), a 95 ft / 0.05 mile random hill in the woods, and the last couple of years Grandfather Mountain.

“But with a subzero (F) wind chill at the start, Grandfather’s already gnarly trails likely iced over, and the “runnable” side still closed from Hurricane Helene damage, I opted to drop down off the mountain instead.

“It wasn’t as fun or glamorous, and not as mentally challenging, but being able to really crush the downs on this gravel road made this probably the best physical training I’ve had out of all ten.”

Sub five-minute mile

Explaining more, he added: “My favorite part: despite the conditions, the pack, and the 6.4K feet up and down, I ran this training run faster than my first marathon race. There’s no one I love beating more than me.

“This was probably also the first time in quite a while that I’ve dropped a sub 5 minute mile. 😂

“Bring on the rest of the year! Well, once this DOMS clears up a bit… 😆😫”

John Kelly start Barkley Marathons 2023 photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram
John Kelly at the 2023 Barkley Marathons [Photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram]
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.  

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