“There was a foot of snow two days before, and then it melted,” Boone says. This year, the weather had a larger impact than many of the women had expected. “Generally, since the race and entry process are so secretive, and ultrarunning is historically male-centered, it was only simple math that not many young, competitive women had given it a shot.” Barkley veteran Nicki Rehn (Howie Stern)įor most Barkley runners, the race distance is far from the primary concern, but the extreme elevation gain, the navigational challenges, and the unpredictable conditions all combine to create a uniquely masochistic experience. “It was exciting to see that Laz let in more women than usual, and competitive women to boot,” Canty says. Kaz Williams, also a Barkley virgin, was gifted bib number one-the annual distinction Laz gives to a so-called human sacrifice, who he believes has no chance of finishing. The field included a handful of promising newbies (called “virgins”), including well-established ultrarunners like Amelia Boone, Liz Canty, Stephanie Case, and Maggie Guterl, and just one veteran: five-timer Nicki Rehn. They eventually learned that just nine women would be racing-a small number, but still higher than in the past. But because the entry list isn’t published in advance, they didn’t know exactly what to expect. Completing three loops is considered a “fun run.”īefore arriving in Tennessee in late March for this year’s race, many of the participating women caught wind that there’d be a larger female contingent at the Barkley. The cutoff for the entire course is 60 hours, though many runners are booted out long before that. If a runner finishes a given loop over the time limit, they’re forced to drop out. Runners must navigate their own route and find hidden books along the course, tearing out pages to bring back to Laz as they go. This year, which some dubbed the Barkley’s “year of the woman,” Laz offered entry to more women than usual.įor the unfamiliar, the Barkley is a five-loop, unmarked course, totaling roughly 100 miles. Usually only a handful of women make the cut. Every year, through a highly secretive and selective process, the race organizer-Lazarus “Laz” Lake-admits about 40 runners to attempt the sufferfest in Tennessee’s Frozen Head State Park. Only 15 runners have ever finished the notorious Barkley Marathons, and none of them have been women.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |