The Barkley Marathons is one of the most infamous ultramarathons in the world—a brutal test of endurance, strategy, and mental toughness. Held in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, the race is designed to be nearly impossible to finish, with only a handful of runners ever completing all five loops within the 60-hour time limit.
The 2025 edition of the race began on March 18, at 11:37 a.m. ET, and among those taking on the challenge once again is John Kelly, one of the most accomplished runners in Barkley history.
Live Updates: The 2025 Barkley Marathons
Kelly is no stranger to this event. He first finished the Barkley in 2017, becoming just the 15th person ever to do so. He then finished again in 2023 and, in 2024, made history by becoming only the second person to complete the race three times. Now, in 2025, he’s back for his eighth attempt, aiming for an unprecedented fourth finish.
This year’s race comes after two record-setting editions—three finishers in 2023 and five in 2024, including the first-ever female finisher, Jasmin Paris. With more runners reaching the finish line than usual, speculation is high that race director Lazarus Lake has made the 2025 course even more difficult.
For Kelly, the Barkley isn’t just another race—it’s a puzzle he’s spent years trying to master. As one of the few who truly understand its unique demands, all eyes are on him to see whether he can pull off a fourth successful finish in what could be the toughest version of the race yet.
Early Life and Introduction to Running
John Kelly is an American ultrarunner renowned for his remarkable endurance feats and contributions to the sport. Born on Nov. 19, 1984, in Morgan County, Tennessee, Kelly’s journey from a high school runner to an elite endurance athlete is both inspiring and instructive.
Growing up in the rural landscapes of Tennessee, Kelly was an active youth with a penchant for outdoor activities. He participated in high school cross-country but did not pursue competitive running seriously during his early adulthood. It wasn’t until 2013, after completing the Marine Corps Marathon, that Kelly reignited his passion for running. This experience served as a catalyst, propelling him into the world of ultrarunning and triathlons.
Conquering the Barkley Marathons
Among John Kelly’s many ultrarunning feats, his performances at the Barkley Marathons stand out as his defining achievements.
What Makes the Barkley Marathons So Hard?
The Barkley Marathons, held annually in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, is considered one of the most difficult ultramarathons in the world. The race consists of five 20-mile loops (though the total mileage is often far greater due to difficult navigation and extreme terrain). With elevation gains equivalent to climbing Mount Everest twice, a 60-hour time limit, and an infamous lack of course markings, very few runners have ever finished. Since its inception in 1986, only a handful of runners have completed all five loops.
John Kelly’s Barkley Marathons Feats
Kelly first attempted the race in 2015, completing only one loop. But with each attempt, he improved, until 2017, when he made history:
2017 Barkley Marathons Finisher
In 2017, John Kelly became only the 15th person in history to finish the Barkley Marathons. After 59 hours, 30 minutes, and 53 seconds, he crossed the finish line with just 29 minutes to spare before the 60-hour cutoff. His finish was the first completion of the race since 2012, reinforcing the event’s reputation as an almost impossible challenge.
2023 Barkley Marathons Finisher (Second Completion)
After several years without a finisher, Kelly returned in 2023 and once again defied the odds. He completed all five loops in 58 hours, 42 minutes, and 23 seconds, becoming only the third person in history to finish the race twice. This achievement cemented his legacy as one of the greatest Barkley runners of all time.
2024 Barkley Marathons Finisher (Third Completion)
In 2024, John Kelly completed the Barkley Marathons for the third time, finishing in 59 hours, 15 minutes, and 38 seconds. This made him only the second person ever to achieve three finishes. Given how rarely the race sees a finisher, let alone repeat ones, it was another major milestone in his career.
The 2025 Barkley Marathons Attempt
The 2025 Barkley Marathons started on March 18, 2025, at 11:37 a.m. ET, and Kelly was back at the starting line for his eighth attempt. Over the past two years, the race has seen more finishers than usual—three in 2023 and a record five in 2024, including the first woman to complete the race, Jasmin Paris. Many expect that race director Lazarus Lake has made the course even harder this year to keep finish rates low.
With his deep knowledge of the course and experience grinding through the Barkley’s brutal terrain, Kelly is once again in the mix. Whether he can finish for a fourth time remains to be seen, but few runners know how to navigate this race better than he does.
Other Notable Achievements in Ultramarathons
Beyond Barkley, Kelly has set records and accomplished incredible feats in other extreme endurance challenges:
- Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Pennine Way
- July 2020: Completed the 268-mile Pennine Way in the UK in 64 hours, 46 minutes.
- May 2021: Reclaimed the record in 58 hours, 4 minutes.
- Completion of the Grand Round
- August 2020: Completed the Grand Round, a challenge involving running the UK’s three major fell running rounds (Paddy Buckley, Bob Graham, and Ramsay Rounds) while cycling between them.
- The feat required 185 miles of running with 25,440 meters of elevation gain, plus 400 miles of cycling.
Professional Background and Personal Life
Outside of running, Kelly has a background in machine learning and artificial intelligence. He earned a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and is the Chief Technology Officer at Envelop Risk, a company specializing in data-driven insurance underwriting.
Despite his rigorous training schedule, Kelly is a dedicated husband and father of four. He often balances family life with his endurance pursuits, setting an example of discipline and time management.
