Search

RUN247 / Running News / Ultramarathon News / Barkley Marathons 2025: NO finishers but John Kelly gets ‘Fun Run’ consolation

Barkley Marathons 2025: NO finishers but John Kelly gets ‘Fun Run’ consolation

Jonathan Turner
News Director
Updated on

There were no finishers of the 2025 Barkley Marathons – though John Kelly was able to complete a three-loop ‘Fun Run’ – as the brutal course emerged the clear winner in the notorious race created by Laz Lake.

There have only been 20 finishers (those who complete five 20-mile loops inside 60 hours) in the 30+ years of the existing format – to put that into context, more humans have made the journey to the moon.

But no fewer than eight in the last two years, including the first female finisher in Jasmin Paris 12 months ago, had raised expectations.

So it should probably come as no surprise that the challenge facing the 40 runners this year was significantly ramped up and that was reflected in the stats right from the off.

Advertisement

Tough from the start

Just 10 of the 40 made it round loop one – the first of the potential five – inside the allotted time.

There were just four left after loop two – Japan’s Tomokazu Ihara, American three-time finisher John Kelly and French duo Sébastien Raichon and Maxime Gauduin.

Gauduin dropped soon after and the other three were way off schedule in terms of a potential finish, so a ‘Fun Run’ – which is three loops inside 40 hours – became the more realistic target.

It soon became the only target as Keith Dunn, the sole official source of information for the race, posted the following shortly after 23:37 local time on Thursday night: “We are 36 hours into the race, meaning the three runners still on Loop 3 cannot continue to Loop 4. However, if they complete Loop 3 within 40 hours they will be credited with a Fun Run. That’s where the real race is now. #BM100

‘Fun run’ consolation

The cut-off for ‘Fun Run’ status was 03:37 local time at Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee – 07:37 in the UK and 08:37 CET.

But as if things weren’t tricky enough the weather then turned – just as it had been forecast to – with Dunn saying: “50 mile per hour wind, steady rain, less than 1:15 to go. The runners better be on Ball Bearing Hill if they hope to get here in time. Wherever they are, things are getting intense. This is the Barkley.”

As the countdown continued there was no sign of any runners’ lights but with less than 10 minutes to go until the 40 hours were up, Dunn posted the following: “John Kelly @RndmForestRunnr finished Loop 3 in 39:50:27.”

American star Kelly is a three-time Barkley finisher and was one of the ‘famous five’ 12 months previously.

But he would prove to be the only one to complete the ‘Fun Run’ this time, though Raichon went incredibly close as Dunn added: “Sébastien Raichon comes in two minutes before the 40 cutoff but did not complete the loop.

“John Kelly, who is credited with a Fun Run, tapped himself out, after which Sébastien Raichon was tapped out. Tomokazu Ihara is still on the course after 40 hours.

“The 2025 Barkley Marathons is over. There are no finishers.”

John Kelly day 2 Barkley Marathons 2023 photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram
John Kelly, star of the 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.  

Latest Running News

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
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
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...