Barkley Marathons

Next Race

March 1, 2027

330

days to go

The most infamous ultramarathon in the world — five loops of unmarked, off-trail bushwhacking through the brutal mountains of eastern Tennessee. No official entry process, no course markings, no aid stations. In nearly 40 years, fewer than 20 runners have finished.

Est.

1986

Distance

210km / 130mi

Course

Loop

Surface

Off-trail Bushwhack

Elev. Gain

18000m

Elev. Loss

18000m

Field Size

~40

When

March

Time Limit

60h

THE COURSE

Gain

+18000m

Loss

-18000m

MI 0

KM 0

The Yellow Gate Start

The race begins when Lazarus Lake lights a cigarette at the yellow gate in Frozen Head State Park. There is no set start time — runners must be ready to go whenever Laz decides. The conch shell sounds and the adventure begins.

ELEV: 1400ft

MI 5

KM 8

Rat Jaw

The most feared climb on the course — a near-vertical ascent through thick briars and saw-grass on the side of a mountain. Runners claw their way up the slope, losing skin and clothing to the vegetation. The name says it all.

ELEV: 3200ft

MI 10

KM 16

Frozen Head Lookout Tower

The fire tower atop Frozen Head Mountain provides the only real navigational landmark. Runners must collect pages from books hidden along the course to prove they followed the correct route.

ELEV: 3324ft

MI 18

KM 29

Coffin Springs

A remote saddle area deep in the course that most runners reach in darkness. Navigation becomes critical here as the off-trail route weaves through dense Appalachian hardwoods with no markings of any kind.

ELEV: 2800ft

MI 26

KM 42

The Yellow Gate Finish

Runners must complete five loops and return to the yellow gate within 60 hours. Those who finish are greeted by "Taps" played on a bugle. Those who drop out hear it too — in memoriam of their race.

ELEV: 1400ft