In the Spell of the Barkley

One man's account of the near-mythical ultrarunning event that is the Barkley Marathons

Welcome to the Barkley Marathons, a fever dream of an ultra running event set deep in the Tennessee woods, inspired by James Earl Ray's prison break, heralded by a conch blast and paid for in cigarettes and socks. Since the race began in 1986, just 15 people have successfully crossed the finish line having completed the full 100 miles. This is a race in which competitors haul themselves up mountains, through extreme weather conditions, beyond pain and exhaustion, mile after mile. Completed 60 miles? That's just the fun run.

Journalist and ultrarunner Michiel Panhuysen is a multiple-time Barkley entrant, having fallen under the spell of this most enigmatic of races – and its presiding philosopher-genius organizer 'Lazarus Lake' – in the early 2010s. On each occasion, the Barkley won. The Barkley nearly always wins.

In the Spell of the Barkley is a story of sporting obsession, exploring what drives individuals to challenge themselves at the limits of what is possible – and what it takes to succeed.