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

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.

‘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.”

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.”