Rob Youngren

Also pretty sure there have been several course resets that have ended up making the loop quite a bit shorter (not easier!) so not shocked at all seeing new route that’s trending longer. Just how it goes. Folks will figure it out and they’ll be future finishers I’ve no doubt.

Way back in the day (circa 2011-2012) we were actually still allowed to train on big chunk of the course and so we all wore GPS devices so got a good grasp on the mileages of the loop. Also helped immensely with learning the terrain and what recent course was like.

Pretty sure past courses were in the neighborhood of marathon distance and 13-14k of climb from my past experience.

Also the Iditarod Trail Invitational (the human powered event) is still going on (at least for a few more days).

This summer I’d recommend the other Laz events, this time long distance road events. Always lots of drama vacationwithoutacar.com

It varies year to year. I recall collecting anywhere from 12-15 pages in a loop.

I became an ultrarunner in the 90s. This was the norm for Barkley for a VERY long time. It was huge news when someone finally finished.

My first Barkley Marathons was way back in ‘99 and my last was in 2017. A LOT had changed over the years!

Yep, the first loop times were right where mine were the years I got Fun Runs. Difference is I had pretty good course knowledge from learning the route in prior years. Likely this year was mostly new route so huge bump in difficulty.

Likely massive course changes. That always seems to follow successful years.

Morons one and all. :)

Same here and about to rain.

Wouldn’t be unprecedented. Bad Things Happen Out There.

No necessarily. This is the Barkley Marathons. Wouldn’t be shocked if one or more of the runners left came stumbling back into camp from the wrong direction. Seen it before.

I understand that, but the 12 hr figures floating around there only apply to starting a fourth loop before 36 hours expire. There are plenty of loop times well over 12 hours, some epically long, where Fun Run finishes are still possible.

Which is slow for a first loop. Typically first loop times for successful 100 milers are 2 hours or more faster. Sub 10 is right in the ballpark for possible Fun Run finish though.

Perhaps, assuming ideal weather like we’ve been fortunate to have the past couple of years. But weather is typically what takes out even the strongest Barkers.

No, you just get a bit more time to finish a fun run. The 12hr per loop figure isn’t a hard cutoff just estimate of pace one needs to be on to make 5 loops. In reality you need to be much faster early and then hold on for dear life!

I mean technically one has until 36 hours to start on loop 4, but odds of someone speeding up now to get back on the 100 mile finish track is near but impossible.

Lots and lots of power line cut repeats. Ask me how I know.

Define “fair”. Changing the course up has also proven to make it easier in certain respects. Speaking of my own experiences “Out There”, success at the Barkley is a multi-year endeavor.

I’ve got two “Fun Runs”. “Fun” isn’t the most accurate description.

Late start also isn’t good for anyone. Now with some “nice” weather on the way, I’d say it’s doubtful anyone will be left 24h from now.

Bad Things Happen Out There.