"The 2026 Barkley Marathons, which started at 6 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, had a lot going for it in terms of a difficult course, a difficult time of year, and even more difficult weather conditions. Rain, cold, mud, and fog - in addition to everything else Barkley is known for - all took a toll on the racers, and the event saw a repeat of 2025 with no finishers and only one Fun Run finisher."
"This year, only four runners made it out for a third lap, and Sébastien Raichon (France) was the only one who completed it. His final time was 38:05:46, which was within the allotted time to be credited with a Fun Run - three laps of the course in under 40 hours - but he missed the 36-hour cutoff time to go out for a fourth lap by over two hours. It was a Valentine's Day date that racers and their crews will long remember."
"Yet even with all the hope in the world, conditions conspired against the racers. This was the earliest the race - which has a secret start date and start list - has ever been held. It's the first time racers have faced February conditions at Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, and while conditions started out cold, they only got worse as fog and moisture rolled in throughout the race, making things slippery and slimy."
The 2026 Barkley Marathons began at 6 a.m. on February 14 under unusually early and harsh conditions, including rain, cold, mud, and fog. Only four runners reached a third lap, and Sébastien Raichon (France) completed three laps in 38:05:46, earning a Fun Run credit but missing the 36-hour cutoff to attempt a fourth lap. The event produced no official finishers, repeating 2025's lack of finishers and single Fun Run completion. The race faced its earliest start ever, February conditions at Frozen Head State Park, reduced daylight on an off-trail, unmarked course, and additional disruptions such as the start gate being under construction.
Read at iRunFar
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