Intro to the Barkley Book Fair

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Barkley Marathons is actually two races run on the same course, a 100 Mile Run and a 60 Mile Fun Run. It is held annually in Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee sometime in late March or early April.
The course was designed by Gary Cantrell. His idea for the race was inspired upon hearing about Martin Luther King, Jr's assassin escaping from prison, and making it only 8 miles after running 55 hours in the woods. Cantrell said to himself "I could do at least 100 miles." Thus, the Barkley Marathon was born.
The course itself, which has changed distance, route, and elevation many times since its inaugural run in 1986, currently consists of a 20-mile loop with no aid stations except water at two points along the route and the runner's parked car at the beginning of the loop. Runners of the 100 Mile version run this loop five times, with loops three and four being run in the opposite direction and loop five being runner's choice. Runners of the 60 Mile Fun Run (considered to be harder than Hardrock) complete three circuits of the loop.
In addition to running, competitors must find between nine and 11 books (varies per year) and remove a page from each book corresponding with their race number as proof of completion.
With 54,200 feet (now due to course changes, over 60,000 feet) of accumulated vertical climb, the 100 Mile Run is considered to be one of the more challenging ultramarathons held in the United States, if not the world. Some say it is the toughest trail race in the world. Some say it's not a race. Some say these are not trails.
The cut-off time for the 100 Mile race is 12 hours per loop, and the cut-off for the 60 Mile version of the race is 40 hours overall, which averages out to approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes per loop. Since the race's inception in 1986, only seven runners (Mark Williams 1995, David Horton and Blake Wood 2001, Ted "Cave Dog" Keizer 2003, Jim Nelson and Mike Tilden 2004, Brian Robinson 2008 (course record 55:42:27)) out of more than 650 have completed the 100 Mile race within the official 60 hour cut-off. In 2006 nobody finished even 60 Mile Fun Run in under 40 hours. Best woman achievement is Sue Johnston's 66 miles in 2001. More than 30 competitors failed to reach first book (2 miles).
The race is limited to 35 runners and usually fills up quickly the day registration opens. Potential entrants must complete an essay on "Why I Should be Allowed to Run in the Barkley."

That, my friends, is the inspiration for our Barkley Book Fair. Check back here for more details about Tulsa's version of this legendary race! Like the Big Barkley, our event will have 2 races, a day run, and a night run. The day run will commence around 6:30 pm which should be plenty of time for even the most cautious trail trodder to finish before dark. The night race will begin after dark. I am proud to say we will have a nearly full moon to illuminate the occasional pink ribbon marking the course. I have been asked if the course is hard. The day course is medium to hard, with one steep hill to climb just before the halfway point. There will be water and Gatorade at the halfway point.The night course is different every year, and each year I like to throw in some new challenges to make it interesting.
Expect a few surprises along the way. Expect to get lost, but so far, we have not had to call "search and rescue". A cell phone sometimes is helpful for those who are sure they are in the Turkey Mountain Triangle.

I am considering scrapping the checkpoint in the underwater cave. Seems a large turtle has claimed this submerged cavern and sometimes he is "home" and sometimes he is not!

For the night run, which will be 7 miles +/- this year, I advise spraying down with some off or an equivalent solution as ticks have been pretty bad this year. I have captured and carried away 50 of these critters so far. You are welcome!

All things considered, I do insist that the night runners be experienced in trail running and night running. They should have a reliable flashlight or headlamp. There will be water, Gatorade, and maybe another beverage at 2 locations on the night course. There will be some sort of food and drink at the finish. TATUR will have a bucket that you can toss a buck or two to offset the cost of the food and drink stuff.

Come join us!!