The 2026 edition of the Barkley Marathons has emerged as a grueling challenge of epic proportions, with only two of the four runners who began the third loop still in the race. The combination of bitter cold, incessant rain, and dense fog has created an environment that may halt any finisher from completing even the third loop, a key milestone on the way to finishing the race itself.
To officially complete what is termed the “Fun Run,” competitors must finish just the third loop, but that is merely the beginning. Finishing the overall Barkley Marathons requires athletes to conquer five loops, each ranging from approximately 30 to 40 kilometers.
Earlier today, runners Damian Hall, Sébastian Raichon, Mathieu Blanchard, and Max King commenced their trek on loop three. However, King and Blanchard soon withdrew from the event, leaving Hall and Raichon still pushing forward through the worsening conditions.
These relentless weather challenges have forced the participants into survival mode. Hall has taken an extraordinary approach by running barefoot, while others have used plastic bags in a bid to shield their shoes from the intense rain.
Regarded as the toughest ultrarun globally, the Barkley Marathons continues to demonstrate that the extreme weather at Frozen Head can be as challenging as the course itself. As the event unfolds, it remains a testament to the determination and resilience of ultrarunners tackling one of the most brutal race formats in the world.