Search

RUN247 / Running News / Ultramarathon News / ‘Fun Run’ was harder than last two five-loop finishes says John Kelly of BRUTAL 2025 Barkley Marathons

‘Fun Run’ was harder than last two five-loop finishes says John Kelly of BRUTAL 2025 Barkley Marathons

Jonathan Turner
News Director
Published on

It was the year the Barkley Marathons course bit back with a vengeance, with three-time finisher John Kelly the only entrant to complete three of the potential five loops to earn ‘Fun Run’ status.

The Tennessee native once again showed his prowess around the brutal Frozen Head State Park terrain, but even he admitted he never came close to what would have been a record-equalling fourth finish.

Advertisement

‘Maybe it was a bit difficult’

Giving a quick reaction to what unfolded, he posted on his Instagram page: “That 3 loop “Fun Run” hurt more than my last two 5 loop finishes. Yes, the course was harder – about 10% more vert, bringing it to ~15K feet per loop. The weather was tougher too – 77F / 25C is toasty for Barkley (2 nights earlier had 4 inches of rain w/ a tornado watch, 1 night later had snow flurries 🤷‍♂️). But I also made a lot of mistakes.

“It’s actually pretty intriguing, it being back to something I’m not sure I’m capable of doing. But the best measure of difficulty isn’t whether I, or anyone else, can finish. The race is meant to have goals that are out of reach but maybe possible for the full spectrum of participants.

“When only 10 people finish 1 loop, and only 4 finish 2… then yeah, maybe it was a bit difficult. The course, and the runners, will continue to recalibrate. And the weather will continue being unpredictable.”

John Kelly start Barkley Marathons 2023 photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram
John Kelly is a Barkley Marathons legend [Photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram]

Reality check

And Kelly added: “Rigid pre-race goals are great for motivation & prep, but for post-race evaluation they often fail to account for the actual circumstances. After each of my events I now distill my satisfaction down to two seemingly simple questions:

“1. Did I do my best?

“2. Was it (or would it have been) worth it?

“The answer to both questions should be the same. This time they were both yes.

“Possibly the greatest thing ultrarunning has given me is simply the ability to honestly answer both of those questions. It requires knowing what my best is, and what my best takes.

“Far too often people have no idea what they’re capable of and think ‘I gave it my all’ when it was really just ‘I experienced mild discomfort’. What our best is isn’t nearly as important as simply being able to actually give it & having something in life that’s worth it.”

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

Tom Evans salute UTMB win 2025
Tom Evans on the perspective shift and key training session which took him to UTMB glory
Sifan Hassan crosses then line to win the Elite Women’s race at The TCS London Marathon 2023 Photo credit: TCS London Marathon
Sydney Marathon results 2025: Hassan and Kiros star as race joins World Marathon Majors
Courtney Dauwalter UTMB battle 2025 still smiling
GOAT Courtney Dauwalter battles through pain cave to finish brutal UTMB
Ruth Croft wins UTMB 2025
UTMB 2025 women’s results: Ruth Croft makes UTMB history as gutsy Courtney Dauwalter eclipsed
Tom Evans joy UTMB finish line 2025
UTMB 2025 men’s results: Britain’s Tom Evans wins trail running’s biggest race in BRUTAL conditions
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...