The 2021 Barkley Marathons started at 2:04 AM ET on March 18 on a foggy day in Frozen Head State Park, and the race kicked off one hour later. The start being days or or even weeks earlier than usual has caught pretty much everyone by surprise. This year’s field is limited mostly to US runners due to COVID travel restrictions, so there are relatively few international runners. The mostly-US field is still strong, and 2021 Barkleys should be a great break from bad news around the world. Sit back, relax, and start hitting refresh on Twitter. #BM100!
The conch was blown at 2:04am (after several false starts). The 2021 Barkley Marathons begins in one hour. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 18, 2021
I’ll add runners and more as that information becomes public knowledge. No spoilers here. Just Barker madness. If you see anything missing or wrong below, please let me know.
Table of Contents
- 2021 Barkley Marathons Runners
- Live Updates During the Race
- Runner Notes
- Greg Armstrong
- Ashley Blake
- Jared Campbell
- Matt Cantrell
- Liz Canty
- Noé Castañón
- Jamil Coury
- Courtney Dauwalter
- Ian Farris
- Frank Gonzalez
- Maggie Guterl
- Chris Hanlon
- David Hughes
- Glenn Kasper
- Tano Isola
- Scott Martin
- Karen McNeany
- Peter Mortimer
- Nikolay Nachev
- Pavel Paloncy
- Andy Pearson
- Jake Rankinen
- Wes Thurman
- Harald Zundel
- Who’s Not Running?
- Views from the Race
- Inspired by the Barkley
- Related Stuff
2021 Barkley Marathons Runners
All information here is public and was being updated in real-ish time from Twitter (#BM100), Keith Dunn (Twitter), Ultra Signup and other sources. If I’m missing or wrong about anything, just let me know and I’ll verify and update. No runner finished Loop 3 in time to continue onto Loops 4 or 5, so those are not shown.
| Victim | L1 | L2 | L3 | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Luke Nelson | 10:21:19 | 24:32:35 | 39:04:08 | Instagram |
| 2. Jared Campbell | 10:21:18 | 24:32:34 | 39:04:09 | Instagram |
| 3. Liz Canty BFC 2019 #1 |
10:44:00 | DNF (OT) 26:52 |
– | Interview |
| 4. Courtney Dauwalter | 10:44:00 | DNF (OT) 26:52 |
– | Interview |
| 6. Maggie Guterl | 10:44:00 | DNF (OT) 26:52 |
– | Interview |
| 6. Jamil Coury | 10:39:00 | DNF (OT) 27:04:07 |
– | Facebook |
| 7. Frank Gonzalez BFC 2019 #1 |
10:39:00 | DNF | – | UltraSU |
| 8. Scott Martin | 10:39:00 | DNF | – | UltraSU |
| 9. Wes Thurman | 10:39:00 | DNF | – | UltraSU |
| 10. Chris Hanlon | 10:44:00 | DNF | – | UltraSU |
| 11. Nikolay Nachev | 11:06:08 | DNF | – | UltraSU |
| 12. Pavel Paloncy | 11:20:52 | DNF | – | |
| 13. Andy Pearson | 12:22:18 | DNF | – | |
| 14. Harald Zundel | 12:47:16 | DNF | – | UltraSU |
| 15. Tano Isola | 13:00:17 | DNF | – | Instagram |
| 16. Ian Farris BFC 2020 #1 |
13:16:09 | DNF | – | UltraSU |
| 17. Jake Rankinen | 13:19:00 |
DNS | – | UltraSU |
| 18. Greg Armstrong | DNF | – | – | UltraSU |
| 19. Ashley Blake 2020 BFC-M #1F |
DNF (OT) 18:20 |
– | – | UltraSU |
| 20. Matt Cantrell | DNF (OT) 18:20 |
– | – | Report UltraSU |
| 21. Jeff Garmire | DNF | – | – | Gear List UltraSU |
| 22. Tim Garvey | DNF (OT) 18:20 |
– | – | UltraSU |
| 23. Karen Jackson | DNF | – | – | Interview UltraSU |
| 24. Glenn Kasper | DNF | – | – | Interview Report |
| 25. Carl Laniak | DNF (OT) 18:20 |
– | – | UltraSU |
| 26. Leonard Martin | DNF | – | – | UltraSU |
| 27. Eric Moening aka “Dearric” |
DNF | – | – | UltraSU |
| 28. Karen McNeany BFC 2020 #1 |
DNF (OT) 17:25 |
– | – | Interview Report UltraSU |
| 29. Hiram Rogers | DNF (OT) 18:20 |
– | – | UltraSU |
| 30. Peter Morgan | DNF (OT) 18 ish? |
– | – | UltraSU |
| 31. Noé Castañón | DNF | – | – | Report UltraSU |
| 32. Ron Moore | DNF | – | – | UltraSU |
| 33. Ryan King | DNF | – | – | UltraSU |
| 34. David Hughes | DNF | – | – | UltraSU |
| 35. Peter Mortimer | DNF | – | – | UltraSU |
| Starters | 35? | 16 | 2 | – |
| Finishers | 17 | 2 | 2 | – |
By Barkley convention, women are indicated with an underline. The top finisher in each gender is in bold. Note that sometimes race information and reports are not in English, but can be easily translated using Google Translate or other means. “DNF (OT)” means that they finished the loop after the cut-off time (over-time), as opposed to dropping out without finishing the loop. I can’t always tell if a drop is a DNF or DNF (OT) on loop one.
Race Cutoffs
The total cutoff for the Barkley is 60 hours, during which runners have to cover all five (5) laps. The individual loop cutoffs are nominally 12 hours, but you can finish the 3-loop Fun Run in 40 hours, so the effective cutoff for the first three loops is 13:20 per lap; however, if you want to continue, you have to finish the Fun Run in 36 hours or less, and cutoffs thereafter are 12 hours per loop. Here are the cutoff times for 2021 in Eastern Daily Time (EDT), the timezone for Wartbug, TN.
| Loop | 12 Hour Mark | Loop Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Friday 3:04 am 0 hrs |
|
| L1 | Thursday 3:04 pm 12 hrs |
Thursday 4:24 pm 13:20 hrs |
| L2 | Friday 3:04 am 24 hrs |
Friday 5:44 am 26:40 hrs |
| L3 (Fun Run) |
Friday 3:04 pm 36 hrs |
Friday 7:04 pm 40 hrs |
| L3 (To Continue) |
Friday 3:04 pm 36 hrs |
|
| L4 | Saturday 3:04 am 48 hrs |
|
| L5 | Saturday 3:04 pm 60 hrs |
|
Live Updates During the Race
As always, the best source is Keith Dunn on Twitter, but you can also follow finisher and local John Kelly (Random Forest Runner) or the usual Reddit thread, among others:
Left: Chimney Top on a clear day.
Right: Chimney Top currently.
Lead #BM100 runners should be past the firetower and heading up this within the next couple of hours. pic.twitter.com/MbpMCOt0Aw— John Kelly (@RndmForestRunnr) March 18, 2021
Runner Notes
According to Lauren Nethery, there were 35 starters this year (13 veterans and 22 virgins). I’m not sure of the usual ratio of virgins to veterans, but it’s good to have more vets so the virgins aren’t left wandering in the woods by themselves.
~15 runners in and out on loop 1 looking spry as ever. In no particular order Liz, Maggie, Courtney, Luke, Jared, Jamil, Scott, Chris, Frank, Pavel and a few others I didn't recognize. We started with 22 virgins and 13 vets. Those on loop two are about 70/30 vets/virgins. #BM100
— Lauren Nethery (@lmnracing) March 18, 2021
And a shout-out to a strong team of women. Three managed to finish two loops this year under trying and foggy / rainy conditions. I’m sure they’ll be back next year for more pain and suffering Out There:
Maggie @MaggatronRuns, Courtney @courtdauwalter, and Liz Canty have finished loop two in 26:52. They are over the 26:40 time limit and cannot continue to loop 3. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 19, 2021
Greg Armstrong
Whom you may remember from the Quarantine Backyard Ultra, Vol State and other great events.
#BM100 Greg Armstrong leaving the tower a bit ago. @runitfast pic.twitter.com/Acle5eTqMG
— TrailRunLive (@TrailLive) March 18, 2021
Ashley Blake
Ashley conquering Rat Jaw on loop 1! #bm100 pic.twitter.com/63KGU5Ue6o
— Ryan Davis (@jrd5497) March 18, 2021
Jared Campbell
The only three-time finisher and general beast, Jared is back in 2021 to show us how it’s done.
Matt Cantrell
Matt was a Virgin at the Barkleys this year, and finished one lap over time (DNF (OT)), but with all his pages. Check out his race report.
Liz Canty
Experienced Barker and 2019 BFC champion, Liz helps fill out a strong field of women with the best chance for a woman to finish a Fun Run since Beverly Anderson-Abbs in 2012 & 2013 (several women finished FRs before that). Liz finished the first loop in 12:09 in 2018, so she’s nearly 90 minutes faster this year.
Girl Power! 3/6 in are women (Liz, Maggie, and Country). #BM100 pic.twitter.com/TtDtXTPn8L
— Lauren Nethery (@lmnracing) March 18, 2021
Noé Castañón
See his hysterical race report here, which was originally from Facebook.
Jamil Coury
Jamil aka Jam-Jam is a perrenial Barker, runner, great guy and also producer of some off the best Barkley content. Check out his video on the 2018 race.
Jamil @JamilCoury finished loop two over the time limit in 27:04:07 and is tapped out. Jared and Luke are the only two runners remaining in the race. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 19, 2021
Courtney Dauwalter
One of the greatest female ultra-runners of all time is finally making a go at the Barkley. The women’s field is strong this year. If you want to see a great movie about Courtney, check out The Source.
Might as well give this a shot! Time to play in the woods and look for some books! 😱🗺📚 https://t.co/qvQGWkjLOx
— Courtney Dauwalter (@courtdauwalter) March 18, 2021
Ian Farris
Ian Farris finished loop one in 13:16:09 and went out on loop two at 13:18:46. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 18, 2021
Frank Gonzalez
I believe this is the right Frank Gonzalez on Ultra Signup, winner of the 2019 Barkley Fall Classic (BFC).
Frank Gonzalez quit on loop two and is tapped out. “I knew I was going to fail I just didn’t think it would be so early.” Fourteen runners remain in the race. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 18, 2021
Maggie Guterl
An experienced Barker, running in 2018 and 2019, Maggie is part of a powerful group of women running in 2021. Hopefully, she can help virgins (new runners) like Courtney on the course during initial laps.
Chris Hanlon
Chris Hanlon has quit on loop two and is tapped out. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 19, 2021
David Hughes
David Hughes is the second runner to be tapped out after getting the first book. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 18, 2021
Glenn Kasper
You can see him in a post-race interview here.
Tano Isola
Don’t yet know much about this Argentinian trail runner, but Territorio Trail Media on Twitter is covering his progress in the 2021 Barkley Marathons with some great pictures. Learn more about him on Facebook.
Tano Isola de Argentina 🇦🇷 es el 3er Sudamericano participando en Barkley.
El primero fue Iso Yucra de Bolivia 🇧🇴 y el segundo Santiago Pinto de Colombia 🇨🇴#BM100 pic.twitter.com/wbe0ZupF0G
— Territorio Trail Media (@TerritorioTrail) March 18, 2021
Scott Martin
Here are Scott’s results on Ultra Signup.
Karen McNeany
Karen Mcneany finished loop one well over the time limit and is tapped out. 8 runners remain on loop one and 14 runners are on loop two. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 19, 2021
Peter Mortimer
Peter Mortimer has become the first runner to face the bugler after an odyssey that took him to the Gobi church. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 18, 2021
Nikolay Nachev
Scott Martin, Wes Thurman and Nikolay Nachev quit on loop two and have been tapped out. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 19, 2021
Pavel Paloncy
Pavel is three-time winner of the UK Spine Race from England to Scotland along the Pennine Way, so he knows something about running in cold and foggy conditions.
Pavel Paloncy on rat jaw yesterday. #BM100 pic.twitter.com/qIWtaufmba
— Blue Mountain Road (@BlueMountainRd) March 31, 2019
Andy Pearson
Andy Pearson has finished loop one in 12:22:18. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 18, 2021
Jake Rankinen
Jake finished the first loop in around 13:19, on time, but didn’t have time to continue before the hard 13:20 cutoff. I believe (but will confirm) that the “13:40” is a typo in Keith’s tweet.
Jake Rankinen finished loop one just under the 13:40 cutoff and did not have time to begin loop two within the time limit. There are 16 runners on loop two; everyone else is a DNF. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 18, 2021
Wes Thurman
I’m still learning about Wes, but his results on Ultra Signup are impressive.
Harald Zundel
German ultra-runner and Kodiak 100 mile champion Harald Zundel made it to the second loop.
Andy Pearson, Ian Farris and Harold Zundel have quit on loop two. Shortly thereafter Hiram Rogers came in with the remaining four other loop one runners; Davy had to play taps eight times. No runners remain on loop one; 11 remain on loop two. #BM100
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 19, 2021
Who’s Not Running?
Due to COVID travel restrictions and other factors, most of the international travelers could not complete in the 2021 Barkleys. This included famous Barkers including Gary Robbins, but also many others. Following are just some of those we’re bummed we couldn’t see this year.
Amelia Boone
Unfortunately, even some race favorites like Amelia Boone couldn’t make it to Frozen Head this year.
For those who have asked: no, I’m sadly not there this year. Complicated story that I’m not sure I can disclose, but hopefully next year! And I’m so excited to be cheering on everyone from afar #BM100 https://t.co/3QKkPfWXB8
— Amelia Boone (@ameliaboone) March 18, 2021
David Limousin
Diabetes advocate and European ultra-runner David Limousin was again blocked by COVID from running this year.
Gary Robbins
Multi-year Barker but not-yet-finisher, Gary Robbins is stuck in Canada watching comfortably from the couch with his family. Doesn’t sound so bad.
Not an April Fool's. Canada-US border is closed & there are a lot of travel restrictions that made the trip impossible this year. Gary is comfortably at home with us. #bm100 #kittykontent #blacklivesmatter #stopaapihate https://t.co/57fNCiXYwZ pic.twitter.com/ECLkoNRQdQ
— Linda Barton-Robbins (@lindabear78) March 18, 2021
Isobel Ross
First invited for last year’s canceled race, Australian Isobel Ross was blocked by travel restrictions from participating this year. Hopefully, we’ll see her in 2022.
Views from the Race
This is just random stuff from the 2021 Barkleys that I might update over time. There will be a flood of pictures and videos after the race, so this is just really whatever caught my eye. Enjoy.
Laz Lighting up to Start off the Race
This just makes me smile. Or laugh. And maybe cringe a little.
HBO Prequel for Real Sports
Apparently, some interviewin’ was done.
Tapping Out Together
Ashley Blake, Hiram Rogers, Tim Garvey, Matt Cantrell and Carl Laniak (not in order) tap the yellow gate after finishing loop one past the cut-off time.
Ashley, Hiram, Tim and 2 others finishing loop 1 together #bm100 pic.twitter.com/29pfNoBrit
— Ryan Davis (@jrd5497) March 19, 2021
Sights & Sounds of the 2021 Barkley
Enjoy the sights, sounds and stories from this year’s race, which returned to Frozen Head State Park after the event was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. A sincere and special thank you to Jamil Coury for making this opportunity possible, and to Lazarus Lake for allowing me to share the Barkley Marathons experience.
Filmed & Edited by Kevin Lara:
Inspired by the Barkley
I was inspired by the Barkley years ago, but like the vast majority of us, I’ll never run the race. So I wrote a science fiction book about a wild, dystopian future where genetically modified athletes compete in an insane and deadly race based (loosely) on the Barkleys. If you like ultra-running and science fiction, this is the book for you. Foreword or post-face by Laz (depending on edition).
Related Stuff
- Outside Online (Meet Lazarus Lake, the Man Behind the Barkley Marathons).
- Trail Running (The Barkley Marathons 2021 are Underway)
- Runner’s World (Everything you Need to Know about the Barkley Marathons).
Input & More
If you stumble across other race reports buy runners or crew, or just great recaps, let me know. As always, if you want to learn more about the Barkley, there’s more to read:
- Barkley Finish Stats
- Women of the 2021 Barkley
- 2020 Non-Recap | 2022 Results
- People of the Barkley (Barkers)
- Terms & Quick Reference
- Top 10 Barkley Documentaries
Peace, and good luck Out There.
Kam Sengthong
Courtney!!!! Finally.
CactusAdmin
I know, right? I hope it’s a good year for all of them…and her.
Mama Bear
This is fantastic stuff. thank you
Jen Simpson
Scott Martin did indeed start loop 2!
CactusAdmin
Oh, do you know if he pulled out after starting? DNF? The tweet I saw was a bit ambiguous.
CactusAdmin
Oh, I see it now. Updating
Jen Simpson
Ryan King is 3rd tapped out.
Jen Simpson
Andy Pearson and Harold Zundel are both in after completing loop 1. Haven’t seen where they went back out. May be overtime.
CactusAdmin
Keith posted that Andy just went back out. Not sure about Harold.
CactusAdmin
Oh, he just went.
Jen Simpson
Ron Moore 4th tapped out. DNF’d loop 1.
CactusAdmin
Thanks. Do you know why Kieth’s saying 16 out on loop 2? I only count 15…
Thfhj
Karen Jackson did start, but I haven’t heard an update since then.
CactusAdmin
Oh, thanks. did you see a notice / picture about her?
Barton
Hi – great write up. One nit (possibly) Think race started at 3:04 Central time not Eastern. I am pulling for them all but this year looks tough.
CactusAdmin
Heya. Thanks. I think Wartburg is EDT, but I’ll check to see if that’s wrong.
TE
Ian Farris won the BFC in 2020.
CactusAdmin
Thanks. Updated. Do you happen to know if the woman’s winner, Karen McNeany, started?
Stephen Schieberl
Where are you getting that Scott Martin DNFed loop 2? Asking because… well, there is no way he already DNfed this time. Can’t find any info to back up that claim. Is it possible that you’ve picked up the tweet from 2018 when he dropped in loop 2?
CactusAdmin
Oh, you’re totally right, and that fixes the numerical discrepancy I was having. Thank you!
steve collier
Haven’t checked but haven’t you spelled Courtney’s surname wrong?
CactusAdmin
Oof. Thank you.
Jen Simpson
To answer your question, no it is not the normal veterans to virgins race make up. Usually far more veterans that are made up of non-USA participants.
CactusAdmin
Thank you.
rebeccajanehunt
Thankyou so much for doing this!
JBird
A couple of things.
Yes, Wartburg is on Eastern Time.
The 2nd thing is, in reference to the following that you write above:
“ Liz Canty
Experienced Barker and 2019 BFC champion, Liz helps fill out a strong field of women with the best chance ever for a woman to finish a Fun Run…or the whole thing.”
Beverly Anderson Abbs finished the Fun Run in 2012. The only woman to ever to do so so far.
The way you have what I quoted above worded, makes it sound like no woman has ever finished at least a Fun Run.
CactusAdmin
Good point on text. I’ll clarify.
TE
Sue Johnston was the first female to finish a fun run. She did it in back to back years, 2000 and 2001. She holds the record for the most miles finished by a female (66 miles).
CactusAdmin
That’s right. I’ve got that here:
https://cactustoclouds.com/2018/10/09/barkley-marathons-finishers/
But Bev was the last one to finish…
CactusAdmin
BTW, I think the first FR finisher was Suzi Thibeault in 1991, and I believe laz confirmed that, but I’d have to go back and check.
TE
Are you sure Chris Hanlon is a girl? The ultra running CH I’ve heard of is a boy.
CactusAdmin
I’m honestly not sure. He/She keeps being grouped with the women who finished L1 together, and I’ve found CHs who are of either gender, so…I’m flummoxed. Love to confirm either way.
CactusAdmin
Do you think it’s this CH:
https://ultrasignup.com/results_participant.aspx?fname=Christopher&lname=Hanlon
John
Chris Hanlon is male. That is the correct US link.
CactusAdmin
Thanks
Sabine
Is it really correct, that the cutoff time for Loop 1 is 13:40, as Keith Dunn mentioned in his tweet. Do you know any background of this?
CactusAdmin
I really don’t. I was always under the impression the cutoff was 40:00/3 or 13:20, so I’m not sure where that came from.
Andrew
This site is phenomenal!
CactusAdmin
Thank you!
TE
I stand corrected about Suzi Thibeault finishing the fun run in ’91. She finished with Nancy Hamilton, so they share the distinction as the first. Nancy finished again in ’93. Not sure there were any other female finishers until Sue Johnston in 2000. In ’95 the fun run was increased to “60 miles” with a 40 hour cut off. That is the same year as the first full Barkley finish (5 loops) by Mark Williams. Some of this is a bit of internet pre-history but it all should be in the Frozen Ed’s book. I read it a few years back but don’t own a personal copy. Have to correct that.
PS – thanks for your work on this site. Along with Keith’s Twitter feed, it has kept me, and I suspect many other, well informed as the runners are out there.
CactusAdmin
Of course. Glad it’s helpful.
barkley crew person
you mention not always being able to differentiate between straight DNF’s and DNF(OT)’s…
Hiram Rogers, Ashley Blake, Carl Laniak, Tim Garvey, and Matt Cantrell finished loop one together with all their pages, but arrived back at camp past the cutoff. If that matters.
CactusAdmin
Oh, thank you. That helps. How was the experience this year?
CactusAdmin
BTW, do you know their finishing time?
Kam Sengthong
Love your site! Thank you for keeping me updated.
CactusAdmin
🙂
HumanSacrifice
Yes, Karen McNeany started and she finished a loop over the cutoff (from Keith’s tweets)
CactusAdmin
thank you. Were you the human sacrifice this year???
Ashley Blake
I finished with 4 other runners together at 18:20hr according to my pocket watch. Very comprehensive site thanks for sharing!
CactusAdmin
Thanks, Ashley. I’ve updated the table. Congrats on the loop!
dfbaskwill
Climbed Rat Jaw with a broken rib. I blame his crew who broke his wrist and bruised his rib at 2:04am before the start.
dfbaskwill
His support broke his wrist before the start! And he broke his rib trying a shortcut off a cliff!