Search

RUN247 / Running News / Ultramarathon News / Hyrox star calls Barkley Marathons ‘hardest race on Earth’ after her debut in ‘extreme scavenger hunt’

Hyrox star calls Barkley Marathons ‘hardest race on Earth’ after her debut in ‘extreme scavenger hunt’

Jonathan Turner
News Director
Published on

Hyrox star Kris Rugloski has vowed to return to the Barkley Marathons after a challenging first appearance at the notorious race.

The American ultrarunning and Toughest Mudder / Hyrox great qualified for the race courtesy of her win in last year’s Barkley Fall Classic, along with England’s Tim Landy who won the men’s event.

But whereas Landy was in the select group of 10 from the 40 starters who made the first loop inside the cut-off, Rugloski found it much tougher going compared to the Fall Classic in the same area.

Advertisement

‘I thought I knew what hard was’

And writing on her Instagram page she said: “I thought I knew what hard was. I’ve pushed through pain, exhaustion, and difficulty before. But the Barkley Marathons exist in a realm of challenge entirely their own.

“There’s no way to compare it to other races when you spend almost no time on marked trails and instead navigate an extreme scavenger hunt for book pages.

“I managed to collect half my pages before taking a scenic detour (I was lost) for a few hours, searching for the next one, only to end up packing it in and heading back to camp.

“This isn’t just an ultramarathon – it’s a riddle, a puzzle, and an exploration of the edge of what’s possible.”

Forest track day 2 Barkley Marathons 2023 photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram
[Photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram]

‘Will not be the last time’

But Rugloski’s exploits in other spheres have demonstrated time and again she refuses to be beaten and it’s clear there’s now unfinished business at the Barkley.

She added: “I went in knowing the odds. I came out knowing exactly why they’re so low. The Barkley isn’t meant to be finished. And that’s exactly why it’s the hardest race on Earth.

“Such a privilege to spend some time “out there”. Will not be the last time!”

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

2023 Badwater 135 men's winner Simen Holvik
Badwater 135 results 2025: Holvik regains title in Death Valley as Lizak takes women’s crown
Katharina Hartmuth at the Tor des Géants [Photo credit: Tor des Géants press office | Stefano Coletta - Zzam Agency]
Record-breaking German star trying ‘to make the impossible possible’ at Hardrock 100
Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon wins Van dAran 2025
Val d’Aran by UTMB 2025 results: Runners win out over dramatic weather in the Pyrenees
Faith Kipyegon Breaking4 Paris June 2025 photo credit Nike
Kipyegon breaks 1,500m world record and Chebet first woman to go sub-14 for 5,000m on historic day in Oregon
Ludovic Pommeret at Western States Endurance Run by UTMB
Pommeret and Schide the headline names ahead of upcoming Hardrock 100
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...