Strange things happen at the Barkley Marathons – and this year that’s included English soccer team Newcastle United winning a trophy for the first time since the infamous race was created.
You might be wondering what’s the connection between the ‘Race That Eats Its Young’ and a team nicknamed the Magpies – but it’s all to do with Keith Dunn.
Dunn is the only official source of information for the Barkley, bringing it to life in mysterious ways over the years with his cryptic tweets.
Twitter is now X and he’s also posting on Bluesky this year but some things don’t change – the clues are sparing and the monikers he gives many of the runners only adds to the magic and confusion.
Newcastle end barren run
But it was a surprise to many when Keith disappeared from Twitter for nearly 72 hours just as his beloved Newcastle were winning their first piece of silverware for 56 years.
They claimed an historic win over Liverpool in the final of the Carabao Cup and normally that would have prompted plenty of reaction from American Dunn, who also supports Italian team Napoli.
But now it all makes sense as he clearly had other priorities ahead of the start of this year’s Barkley, which came just before midday in Tennessee on Tuesday.
Time to celebrate
And fear not as he was clearly more than aware and enjoying the famous triumph, no wonder given he was a child when Newcastle last won something – the old Fairs Cup in 1969.
For once the Barkley had started and in response to a question from one of his many fans, he said: “I celebrated, thank you very much!”
He posted that alongside the photo below before getting back to the business of keeping the wider world in the loop with what’s happening at Frozen Head State Park.
[Photo credit for main image: Keith Dunn on X]
