The infamous Barkley Marathons is underway at Frozen Head State Park, as three-time finisher John Kelly seeks to make history while the rest of this exclusive field takes on the world’s most punishing ultramarathon. Will we see a finisher in 2025?
🔴 Follow our live updates of the 2025 Barkley Marathons here.
Why it matters
Only 20 runners have ever finished the Barkley Marathons since its inception in 1986, totaling 26 finishes. The 2024 edition saw five finishers, the highest number in a single year, including Jasmin Paris, the first woman to complete the event. This year, attention is focused on whether Kelly, a Tennessee native and quasi folk hero at the Barkley, can become the first to complete the race four times—a feat that would further cement his legacy in the event’s lore.
What’s happening
- The conch shell was blown at 10:37 a.m. ET Tuesday, signaling a one-hour countdown. The race officially started at 11:37 a.m. ET.
- Approximately 40 runners toed the line, but the full list remains undisclosed due to the race’s secretive nature.
- Runners have 60 hours to complete five loops through brutal backcountry terrain totaling approximately 120 miles (193 km) and over 60,000 feet (18,288 m) of elevation gain.
- The course changes yearly and requires map and compass navigation. GPS devices are strictly prohibited.
- Competitors must collect pages from 13 books per loop, matching their bib numbers. A missed page means disqualification.
Who’s in, who’s out
- John Kelly returns for his eighth attempt. He finished in 2017, 2023, and 2024, becoming only the third person to finish more than once.
- Ihor Verys, a 2024 finisher, is sidelined due to injury and will not compete this year.
- The rest of the field remains mostly anonymous, per race tradition. Media access is minimal, and updates typically come via Keith Dunn’s account on X. You can also follow our aggregated live feed, along with insights from our editor (who has covered the event live multiple times) here.
Between the lines
The Barkley’s mystique lies in its grueling difficulty and intentionally opaque organization. Start times are announced last-minute, entry requires solving a complex puzzle, and the race director, Lazarus Lake, maintains strict control over information.
The big picture
In recent years, interest in the Barkley Marathons has surged, drawing attention from elite ultrarunners and adventure seekers alike. But despite the increased attention, the event maintains a finish rate of less than 2%. This year could be historic—not only for Kelly’s quest but also for the broader ultrarunning community watching one of its most sacred challenges unfold.
