Barkley: The Cult-Like Race Inspired by a Prison Escape

The Harrowing History of the Barkley Marathons

Every April, a group of ultramarathoners gather in the frozen wilderness of the Cumberland Mountains for a race like no other. The Barkley Marathons, a 100-mile, five-loop footrace, is considered the most extreme endurance race on the planet. With only 10 finishers in its first 25 years, the race has become a cult-like obsession for runners worldwide.

The Inspiration: A Legendary Escape

The origin of the Barkley Marathons lies in the infamous escape of James Earl Ray from the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in 1977. Ray, who assassinated Martin Luther King Jr., escaped by crawling through a ventilation shaft and fleeing into the surrounding mountains. The massive manhunt that ensued inspired race founder Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell to create a race that would test the limits of human endurance.