Barkley Marathons

After a brief memorial, the cigarette was lit and roughly 40 competitors ran off into the barren woods. A creek crossing was added at the start due to campground construction.

Rain will begin on Sunday morning. Expect a brutal second loop for those who complete the first go-round.

Runners lining up behind the gate

Three hours into the race somebody has dropped. We don't know who, we don't know where they are, and we have no idea when they'll be back, but someone definitely has dropped

The campground is under construction so the race is being run out of a park shelter. Here is the yellow gate

Race started with Laz lighting cigarette after brief memorial. Roughly 40 runners forged a creek then ran into the barren woods

France's Guillaume Grima confirmed in the field of the 2026 Barkley Marathons

Belgium's Séverine Vandermeulen confirmed as one of the roughly 40 participants. She is the first Belgian woman in history to take part

Someone has already dropped out of the race, just three hours in. We don't know who, where they are, or when they'll be back.

Race director Laz lit his cigarette and 40 or so competitors ran off into the barren woods. First time in Barkley history loops 1-2 will be counterclockwise.

The yellow gate is making a special appearance this year. Big Cove Campground is closed for renovations, so start/finish is at the shelters with a creek crossing.

The conch was blown at 5:00am. The 2026 Barkley Marathons begins in one hour.

France's Guillaume Grima is in the field following a recent DNF at Yukon Arctic Ultra. Rain will begin Sunday morning, expect a brutal second loop.

This is the earliest calendar start in the race's 40-year history. Weather conditions are mild and partly sunny with high expected Saturday of 13C.

Runners lining up behind the gate

The conch was blown at 5:00am. The 2026 Barkley Marathons begins in one hour

Race officially started - earliest calendar start in 40-year history on Valentine's Day