2023 Barkley Marathons Runners & Results

The 2023 Barkley Marathons started March 14, 2023 at 9:54 am ET. I have done live updates of runners and results for years, but didn’t this year and probably won’t going forward. There is plenty of good information on Twitter and other sites during the race. I’ll be updating this page for a few days after the race with more details and flavor.

2023 Barkley Marathons Runners

All information here is public and is sourced from Twitter (#BM100), Keith Dunn (Twitter), Taka Does Stuff,  Ultra Signup, Reddit and other sources. If I’m missing or wrong about  anything, just let me know and I’ll verify and update.

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.

Live Updates During the Race

As always, the best source is Keith Dunn on Twitter.

After a brief memorial, laz lit the cigarette at 9:54. The 2023 Barkley Marathons has begun. #BM100

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 14, 2023

Note that in the excitement, this tweet is mistaken–that it was the first time four runners were on loop five–but there were four or five runners on the course for L5 in 2012:

For the first time in the history of the #BM100, 4 runners are on loop five. laz is concerned this will cause people not to apply next year, as they will perceive the course to be too easy.

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 16, 2023

Unfortunately, this error persists online:

Barkley is trembling.

First time in its 36 year history, four runners are on the 5th & final loop:
⛰️ John KELLY 🇺🇸 1st out @ 46:02:55.
⛰️ Aurelian SANCHEZ 🇫🇷 2nd out @ 46:07:50
⛰️ Karel SABBE 🇧🇪 3rd out @ 46:59:20
⛰️ Damian HALL 🇬🇧 4th out @ 47:49:03.
📷 Howie Stern #BM100 pic.twitter.com/FvqWZz0345

— USA Ultrarunning (@USAultrarunning) March 16, 2023

Runner Notes

Pending / Not Yet Accurate

Jared Campbell (Nondescript Guy)

The only three-time finisher, Jared tapped out after loop 3 (the Fun Run) with knee issues.

Jared Campbell @derajslc chooses not to begin loop four and is tapped out. #BM100 #nondescriptguy

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 16, 2023

Albert Herrero Casas (Guy with Glasses)

Albert Herrero Casas did not complete loop four and is tapped out. #BM100

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 16, 2023

Jon Eisen (Corpse Sprang to Life)

At 11:10ish into the race (Keith never posted my time), I arrived back at camp. Miranda had setup to aid me right at the gate. I sat down and she handed me hot chili. It was amazing. My brain was foggy. I couldn’t make decisions. I told Miranda, “I’m going to need work.” I don’t think she understood my meaning. Quickly, things got bad. I started shivering uncontrollably. I asked to go to the tent. She took me to the car and started it. I broke down in the car, telling her about the battle in my mind. My battle with Past Jon and Future Jon for the rights of Current Jon to quit this stupid race. Through it all, Miranda was patient with me, hoping to convince me to continue. Without a decision to quit and without one to continue, I asked for more food. Finally, after 30+ minutes in the car, I stopped shaking. My mind centered. My thinking became clear again. I would continue. (Race Report)

A corpse sprang to life joins 30 other runners on loop two. Seven runners remain on loop one. One of the runners still on loop one has the touch screen watch. #BM100

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 15, 2023

Somewhere back in camp, the time ticked past 26 hours and 40 minutes, meaning my time on loop two was up. We of course would continue to the final book. Little did I know, my wife and crew back in camp was talking shit about me: (Race Report)

Jim played me taps first. I stood there solemnly. Long ago, I had described myself on some social media platform as a “Future Barkley Marathons DNF.” This moment was my dream. A dream come true. Barkley had spoken to me. Barkley had called me. I had answered. I trained. I prepared. I believed. And now, I had failed. (Race Report)

Damian Hall (Guy with a Mohawk)

Damian Hall @Ultra_Damo returned to camp right after Jasmin, with no pages on loop five. He was lost on chimney top. #BM100

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 16, 2023

John Kelly (The Other Guy)

I would normally save any big parts of a race for a blog post, or a platform where I'm not limited to however many character the limit is now, but since #bm100 "coverage" is here & I'm often asked about my Barkley "sleep", here it is. 😂 Skip to #7 for the fun part. (1/16) #bm100

— John Kelly (@RndmForestRunnr) March 18, 2023

John Kelly @RndmForestRunnr completed loop five and has finished the 2023 Barkley Marathons in 58:42:23. John is the third runner to finish the Barkley Marathons more than once. #BM100

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 17, 2023

Andrea Kooiman

Andrea has a strong running background, and without this navigation error, she might have done very well this year…

Andrea Koolman and EB did not complete loop one after getting off course and ending up at Gobey Church (a runner made the same mistake last year). Gutted for both of them. #BM100

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 15, 2023

Andrea Larson

After winning BFC again, Andrea took another shot at the Barkley and finished one loop. Andrea put together a great race report on the Iron Bull blog: The Experience of a Lifetime:

As we headed up the first climb, I soon lost contact with the main group. After snagging the first book, I was in a situation I had dreaded…only a single runner, another virgin, was in sight. The race strategy to stay with a group with at least a veteran was instantly out the window. Next, I lost my confidence in navigation after jumping off a spur a hair early, and ending up off my intended target on the very first descent. We lost precious time weaving back-and-forth across a rocky creek bottom to get back on track. At least my feet didn’t get wet…. More

BTW, I can’t find any reliable information on her loop times, so if you do, please let me know. Keith never posted her times, possibly at her request (?).

Jasmin Paris (Small European Woman)

Jasmin was the first woman to start a fourth loop at the Barkley since Sue Johnston in 2001, but did not finish in time. She still earned a Fun Run (three loops), and looks like she could do all five if things align in the future.

Jasmin Paris becomes first woman to finish four loops @ #BM100 But…… she was over the time limit. pic.twitter.com/tJrE3nQxVS

— Jared Beasley (@DbJared) March 16, 2023

I gave it my best effort and I’m proud of that. I still think a woman can finish 5 loops, although I suspect Laz will make next year even harder 🙂

Thanks so much for the support everyone! #BM100 was incredible, conditions couldn’t have been better, and I was lucky to share miles on the trail with wonderful people. I knew from the start that training hadn’t been ideal (time out for fatigue, then injury) 1/2

— Jasmin Paris (@JasminKParis) March 18, 2023

Luca Roncoroni (Guy in Black)

Luca wrote a great report after getting tapped out on Loop 2. Better luck next time!

It is a beautiful day, the sun is warming, and I don’t want it to be over quite yet.

I need time to process the disappointment of not making the cut-off.

I need time to accept the fact that I lost 3,5 hours looking for book 6.

I need time to appreciate the good navigation to 11 books.

I need time to think about the great companions in this journey.

I need time to cherish the experience.

I need time to be grateful.

I need time alone on the top of the mountain.

Karel Sabbe (Another Bearded Guy?)

Karel Sabbe completed loop five and has finished the 2023 Barkley Marathons in 59:53:33. #BM100

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 17, 2023

Aurélien Sanchez (Winner / Another Bearded Guy)

Aurelian Sanchez completed loop five and has finished the 2023 Barkley Marathons in 58:23:12. A bit of a challenge near the end – a day hiker removed one of the books, believing the race was over. #BM100

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 17, 2023

Nicky Spinks (#1 = Human Sacrifice)

Laz has cheekily given @NickySpinks the number 1️⃣ bib for Barkley Marathons 2023.

Go prove him wrong, Nicky!

Our preview with Nicky 👉 https://t.co/h3ljrdpSgg#bm100 #barkleymarathons #ultrarunning pic.twitter.com/t95c3BRIr1

— inov-8 (@inov_8) March 14, 2023

Dearric Winchester (Guy with a Purple Beard)

Dearric Winchester (purple bearded guy) quit on loop two and faces the bugler. #BM100

— Keith (@keithdunn) March 15, 2023

 Katie Wright

5 Brits on the Barkley start line – 3 of them women. A first female finisher would be incredible. Go @JasminKParis @NickySpinks and Katie Wright (+ @Ultra_Damo & Tom Hollins @stilesandmiles) #bm100 https://t.co/dcnAg1vB5p

— Rob (@iamrobfowler) March 14, 2023

Random Stuff

Barkography: Howie Stern’s 2023 Barkley Photo Essay

After a five year drought, this year’s running of the secretive race in the Tennessee woods was captivating. Would anyone finish? Professional adventure photographer, Howie Stern, was there to capture the essence of the grueling event through Frozen Head State Park. – More

Howie really does take the best pictures…

The 2023 Barkley Marathons

Barkalytics

There was some interesting data / analytics and graphics being shared during the race. Certainly helped pass the time between tweets.

This animation came out after the race:

Animated chart of Barkley participants' split paces over the 60-hour event, showing their hourly progress. #BM100

Three finishers:

Aurélien Sanchez (@AurelSanchez_) – 58:28:12
John Kelly (@RndmForestRunnr) – 58:42:23
Karel Sabbe – 59:53:33

data: @keithdunn & @taka_does_stuff pic.twitter.com/jmUg0utkIa

— Jared Walczak (@JaredWalczak) March 17, 2023

Barkleversy – Life Isn’t Fair

Interesting NYT article that touches on some of the controversy around laz (Gary Cantrell) and the race.

It’s not about winning,” Cantrell said. “It’s about trying to win — trying to reach your potential.” Each time there was a finish, he made the race harder. His goal was to keep it at the very horizon of human potential. Only 17 people have ever finished, all men. Many have questioned whether Cantrell finally set the bar too high. He disputes that. Creating a truly impossible race would have been easy and boring.

Barkley 2023 Recap (View)

It’s a recap. Of the Barkley. In 2023. Neat.

One runner, after finishing his loop and dropping out, cooked an egg burrito while showering. He took a camp stove and skillet into the shower, cooked the eggs, and ate the tortilla in the shower.

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).

Author Site | Amazon | UBL

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
• 2022 Results | 2024 Results
• People of the Barkley (Barkers)
• Terms & Quick Reference
• Top 10 Barkley Documentaries

Peace, and good luck Out There.