The Barkley Marathons is a sporting event like no other. Staged amidst thick mountain woodland in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, USA, the 100+ mile race sees runners attempting to complete a five-loop ultramarathon so tough only 17 people have reached the finish line since 1986. To prove they’ve visited all checkpoints, runners tear pages from hidden books and return them to enigmatic race organiser Laz Lake at the end of each loop.
This year saw three runners – Aurelien Sanchez (58:23), John Kelly (58:42) and Karel Sabbe (59:53) – all make it round the full five loops under the 60-hour time limit. INOV8 athlete Damian Hall, in his Barkley Marathons debut, almost made it four runners, but retired late in the race after a sleep-deprived hunt for his first book on loop five proved unfruitful.
British photographer David Miller was present throughout the 2023 edition of the Barkley Marathons and shares with us a collection of his favourite photos.
The most iconic gate in ultrarunning. The start & finish point of each loop. If you know, you know.
Gary Cantrell, AKA Lazarus Lake. The man behind the madness.
Each ‘virgin’ (Barkley Marathons first-timer) must give Laz a vehicle registration plate. This is the one belonging to Nickademus Hollon, a finisher in 2013.
Frozen Ed Furtaw made his own legacy, becoming the first finisher of the Barkley Marathons in 1988.
Three-time finisher Jared Campbell conducts a calculated kit check.
The blowing of the conch marks one hour until the start of arguably the world's most brutal race.
Laz lights a cigarette to signal the start of the Barkley Marathons. Runners depart sharpish.
British athlete Jasmin Paris takes a moment to refuel after completing loop one.
Ben Yansey reflects on his Barkley Marathons experience, moments after being tapped out.
Belgian athlete Karel Sabbe digs deep while ascending the infamous Rat Jaw climb.
The Neuchâtelois Christophe Nonorgue ascends Rat Jaw on his third (and final) loop, successfully completing what Laz wickedly calls a ‘Fun Run.’
INOV8 athlete Damian Hall watches on as Laz counts and checks his pages.
American athlete John Kelly starts a fifth loop, on his way to finishing the race for a second time.
Navigation comes with its consequences at Barkley Marathons. No-one escapes the sharp briers.
Now two-time Barkley finisher John Kelly sees the wood for the trees.
The moment Karel Sabbe touched the yellow gate, becoming the 17th Barkley Marathons finisher.
David said: “Photographing the Barkley Marathons for me was a dream come true. I thought there’d be a finisher this year but witnessing three finishers was an unbelievable experience I will never forget. The Barkley was everything and more that I hoped for and I’ll forever be grateful to have been present during such a historical and memorable year”.
Follow David on Instagram here.
