Ultimate challenge for the hardcore HAZ'ers...

[CannondaleKid]

Surely there must be a few HAZ'ers willing to take on the ultimate hiking challenge... and what would that be?

Last night we watched The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats It's Young on Netflix.

And just what is the Barkley Marathon?
One of the most challenging ultra-marathons held in the United States, if not the world...
A 100-mile run (or 60-mile "fun run") held annually in Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee in late March or early April.

Although stated as 100 miles (5 laps x 20 miles) it has been rumored to be closer to 130 (5 laps x 26 miles), with a total AEG of 54,200 feet. To be considered a finisher, one must complete it within a single 60-hour time span.

A piece of cake, wouldn't you say?
Well, not so much... think about it:

- Number of finishers since 1986: ONLY 16
- ONLY two-time finishers: Brett Maune = 2011 & 2012 and Jared Campbell = 2012 & 2014
- ONLY Repeat WINNER: Brett Maune = 2011 & 2012
- Fastest finisher: Brett Maune = 2012 = 52:03:08
- Slowest finisher: John Fegyveresi, 2012 = 59:41:21
- Only Arizona finisher: Nick Hollon = 2013 = 57:39:24

NO FINISHERS in 2015!

Cost to run? $1.60 plus a specific item Gary Cantrell needs. It changes from year-to-year, 2012 it was a flannel shirt.

However... since obviously the field is limited to 40 starters, it's up to Gary to decide who is selected to run. Previous runners appear to have a better chance of being selected.

One curious item... Gary will always include one person who he believes has no chance at all, someone he knows will be way out of their depth. When that person registers and is handed the number 1, they know they are the chosen one.
In 2012, the 'chosen one' quit within 2 hours.

Sounds exciting? or

So back to the question at the top... do we have any HAZ'ers up for this ultimate challenge?
(Definitely not me... just watching the race wore me out)
I don't believe it has been run yet this year but I'm sure the 40 have been chosen by now... so there's time to prepare for 2017.

[sbkelley]

@chumley

That's it, I'm registering you for the next race. I'll even pay your entry fee

[sneakySASQUATCH]

Although only 24hrs, I'm sure this dude could do it. 22 laps 44,000 AEG 24hrs.
http://www.pikespeaksports.us/m/group/d ... c%3A573657

[BobP]

Boone here could probably do it if he wanted to. He did the highline 50 in under 10 hrs. And a r3 in under ten hours.

[SuperstitionGuy]

I really did not know how difficult this challenge was and now that I have read more about it I think I would just rather re-enter a HAZ Pixel Trivia Challenge. At least I could do that from my Lazy-Boy chair! ;) :whistle:

[toddak]

This guy did 58 14ers in less than 10 days and he has the fastest time on Nolan's 14, which he did solo and unsupported. Gotta put either above the Barkley.

http://trailrunnermag....

[Dschur]

Arizona has the Zane Grey 50 miler.. and Flagstaffs Stagecoach 100... but they don't have the elevation of some of the others... Not sure of the AEG on them...

[toddak]

Good flick. Interestingly the finishers average speed is around 2 mph, which is more of a moderate hiking pace than a running pace. So all ya gotta do is hike. Nonstop for two-and-a-half days. ;)

[Al_HikesAZ]

Went to lunch with my colleague Tony (marathons and triathlons) and his friend Tom (marathons, triathlons and ultra marathons) who is running in The Barkley Fall Classic 50k this September 17. Tom has done well in the Zane Grey which might be how he finagled the invite/application. Or got the crazy notion to even try.

It's called the Barkley 50K but it is rumored to be somewhere between 35-40miles with 13,000AEG (plus or minus) with a 22 mile cut-off of 9 1/2 hours. This is "The Barkley Fun Run". https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=34630

We were talking about old school orienteering, equipment, and survival skills. I was getting them acquainted with the Topos (Gobey & Fork Mountain TN) for the area around Frozen Head State Park. We are trying to figure out if there is a map for Frozen Head State Park. Rumor is that if you do well in the 50K you might get an invite to the Ultra. The big discussion on equipment was gaiters or no gaiters. If you have seen the video, you see that most choose not to wear gaiters and just carry some Quickclot to stop the bleeding. I left Tom with my mental training advice: "If you think you can, you won't. If you know you can, you might." If you only "think you can" you are already starting with a seed of doubt in your mind.

Good flick. Interestingly the finishers average speed is around 2 mph, which is more of a moderate hiking pace than a running pace. So all ya gotta do is hike. Nonstop for two-and-a-half days. ;)

We read a quote from one runner about taking 2hours to go .88mile and 1600' uphill in the mud. He was on all fours and kept sliding back. He talked about one young runner that did make the .88mile section in about 1/2 hour. So they have to run when they can run, and they have to crawl when they have to. Jared Campbell who has finished twice actually stopped and napped for an hour between the 4th & 5th circuit and took some soup.