The 2025 Barkley Marathons: A New Update from the Course

The 2025 Barkley Marathons are well underway at Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. The race, known for its grueling challenge and minimal information, began on March 18, 2025, at 11:37 a.m. Eastern Time, marked by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell lighting his cigarette to signal the start. As the race continues, more updates are coming in, showing how tough the conditions are and who is still in the game.

Race Status and Participants

• John Kelly has begun Loop 3 after completing Loop 2 in 25:00:40. He is aiming for a historic fourth finish.
• Tomokazu Ihara (Tomo) is the first runner to start Loop 3, completing Loop 2 in 24:32:50.
• Sébastien Raichon and Maxime Gauduin finished Loop 2 with times of 25:29:15 and 25:29:16, respectively.
• There are currently six runners remaining, with five on Loop 1 and one already started on Loop 3.

Withdrawals

• Julien Chable has dropped out after Loop 2, leaving six runners still active in the race.
• Three runners dropped out after completing Loop 1, and Chris Fisher and Thomas Calmettes withdrew from Loop 2 at Bald Knob.
• One runner has made a return after quitting, saying, “I went to Garden Spot, and then I came back,” showcasing the disorienting challenges of the course.

Fun and Challenging Moments

• Keith Dunn reported that it has become necessary for the race to have two buglers, anticipating more drop-outs as the race continues.
• One of the latest runners to drop out made it five miles in six hours, another around seven miles in seven hours.
• Despite the challenges, the race atmosphere is upbeat, with camp ready for the continued journey.
• Keith Dunn also mentioned that, "After a brief memorial, Laz lit the cigarette at 11:37. The 2025 Barkley Marathons has begun."

Weather and Race Conditions

• The weather has been a factor, with temperatures reaching up to the 70s during the day, adding heat to the race. The night was cold, but it’s expected to be milder tonight.
• Rain is not expected until tomorrow evening, giving the remaining runners a brief respite from wet conditions.

Real-Time Updates

As always, the Barkley Marathons are full of surprises, with runners going off-course, dropping out, and returning unexpectedly. Keith Dunn is providing continuous updates via Bluesky for anyone looking to follow the race’s progress in real-time.

The challenge of the Barkley Marathons continues to test the endurance, navigation, and mental resilience of its participants. As the race unfolds, only time will tell who will finish this year’s brutal challenge.

Stay tuned for more updates!