The 2025 Barkley Marathons: No Finishers!

Sometimes, No One Finishes - 

Thank you to Keith Dunn for the updates and posting the pictures like the one above. you can fallow him at Keith Dunn

As the 2025 Barkley Marathons reaches its conclusion, we can confirm that no runners finished the race this year. It’s a testament to just how difficult the course is and the mental and physical endurance required to even get close to completing it.

The Final Results

• John Kelly finished Loop 3 in 39:50:27. He was credited with a Fun Run, but ultimately tapped himself out before completing the final loop.
• Sébastien Raichon came in just two minutes before the 40-hour cutoff but did not complete the loop.
• Tomokazu Ihara (Tomo) is still on the course after 40 hours, the last runner still pushing through the brutal conditions.

The Fun Run

With less than one hour left for the Fun Run cutoff, it became clear that no other runners would be able to finish the final loop in time. The runners were up against intense weather conditions, including 50 mph winds and steady rain, adding even more challenge to an already difficult course.

Withdrawals and Drops

• John Kelly and Sébastien Raichon were the last to drop out after the 40-hour mark.
• Sébastien Raichon was close to finishing his loop but ultimately did not make it in time.

Extreme Conditions

The weather has been punishing: with wind speeds reaching 50 mph and heavy rain, the final stretch became even more dangerous. With less than 1:20 remaining, runners were struggling to make it through the final section of the race, knowing that time was against them.

An Iconic Barkley Sign

In an interesting update from the race’s atmosphere, an iconic sign from the Yellow Gate, featured in the documentary about the Barkley Marathons, has been replaced. Plans are now underway to auction off the sign, with proceeds going to the Barkley Fund, which supports the race.

No Finishers, But a Historic Attempt

While no one completed the 100 miles this year, the 2025 race will certainly be remembered for the extreme conditions, the mental and physical endurance displayed, and the incredible tenacity of the runners who attempted the challenge. With only three runners remaining on Loop 3, the race came to an official close without any finishers.

Conclusion

The 2025 Barkley Marathons ended with no finishers this year, but it still showcased the fierce determination of the athletes who dared to attempt it. The weather, the course, and the mental game all combined to make this year one for the history books.