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A record seven runners including Verys and John Kelly out on the fifth and final loop at the Barkley Marathons

Ihor Verys, a Canadian/Ukrainian ultrarunner, was first out for the fifth and final loop of the Barkley Marathons early this morning at 46:06:32, according to Keith Dunn. 

He was followed by John Kelly, Jasmin Paris, Jared Campbell, Damian Hall, Greg Hamilton, and Sebastien Raichon.

In March 2023, Kelly achieved the remarkable feat of finishing the Barkley Marathons for the second time, clocking in at 58 hours, 42 minutes, and 23 seconds. He joins the elite ranks as only the third person to conquer this grueling course multiple times.

In the remote wilderness of Frozen Head State Park in rural East Tennessee unfolds the world’s most notorious ultramarathon—the Barkley Marathons. Known for its extreme difficulty, the Barkley participants are tasked with completing five loops of a course spanning over 20 miles each, totalling around 120 miles, within a strict time limit of 60 hours. The course features treacherous elevation changes and requires runners to collect pages from hidden books along the way, with missing pages resulting in disqualification as does missing the time cut-off. Aid stations are non-existent, and runners rely solely on their crew for support between loops.

There have been 17 finishers. Ever.

Despite being a relative newcomer to ultrarunning, Verys has quickly made a name for himself in the sport. In 2023, he showcased his talent by setting a Canadian record at the Big’s Backyard Ultra World Championships. This year, he faces tough competition from seasoned Barkley Marathon veterans like John Kelly, who has previously completed the race twice, and Jasmin Paris, one of only three women competing in this year’s event.

In other news, Aurélien Sanchez, last year’s winner and only the 16th finisher in the history of the Barkley Marathons, has been tapped out of this week’s race early on the third loop. The Frenchman, who defied the odds and rulebook to win on his debut at Frozen Head State Park in 2023, appeared poised for another strong performance in the early stages of this year’s race.

This year’s Barkley Marathons commenced at 05:17 local time on Wednesday, March 20th, marked by a solemn memorial followed by the lighting of a ceremonial cigarette—a unique ritual that signals the start of the race.

However, the event wasn’t without its quirks. At 03:16, a “false alarm” ensued when a car alarm was mistaken for the iconic conch—an integral part of Barkley lore. Yet, at 04:17, race creator Lazarus Lake officially signalled the commencement by blowing the conch, giving the 40 invited runners one hour to prepare for the arduous journey that lay ahead.

For those eager to follow the action, updates on the Barkley Marathons are provided by Keith Dunn, the race’s official information provider. Fans can stay tuned to social media platforms for live updates and insights into the progress of the runners as they embark on this epic endurance challenge amidst the rugged terrain of Frozen Head State Park.

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