The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 895 Location: Hockley

The Barkley is considered one of the toughest 100 mile races in the world. It has 52,900 feet of climb (and 52,900 feet of descent), more than any other 100 mile race, more than the 33,000 ft. of climb at Hardrock, and more than the 45,000 ft. at Nolan's 14.

Since the race began in 1986, only 6 runners out of 500 have finished within the 60 hour cutoff

The Barkley Marathons

60 hours to run 100 miles
36 minutes a mile
I don't care how tough the course
I don't care how steep the hills
I can run 36 minutes a mile
All it takes to finish
I must only not quit
Over 300 runners have thought this
Only one has backed it up
The others have heard a voice
A pitiful, plaintive voice in the wilderness crying
"Mommy, I can't take it anymore."
"Mommy, I want to go home."
And the voice was their own

http://www.mattmahoney.net/barkley/

[url]http://www.enduranceplanet.com/ - audio[/url]

http://www.angelfire.com/tn2/barkley/

no stopovers in hotels...... Very Happy

rgds

Mike

_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

runningman · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 119 Location: my office

Mike , if you not doing anything May 18th !, your more than welcome to join us ! i think they are still taking room reservations ! or u could have my room !

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 895 Location: Hockley

Sorry Runningman, thanks for your kind offer. But I am totally focussed on the West Highland Way race in June and the Mont Blanc ultra in August (DNF'd last year).

However, I am bringing in some buffers and gels for you as promised and ......to be even more helpful I will bring in some silk pyjamas, fluffy slippers and an alarm clock.... Razz

..all the best

rgds

Mike
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

runningman · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 119 Location: my office

I here there is now a Holiday inn on Mont Blanc with very reasonable room rates with a free breakfast bufftet and afternoon tea and choc hob nobs !!!!!!!!

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 895 Location: Hockley

PAX

the reference to biscuits has winded me.....

rgds

Mike
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 895 Location: Hockley

Subject: Barkley article in the Washington Post

A pretty cool audio slide show and interactive map
with the article:

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/why-we-compete/2007/04/curiosity_1.html

If that doesn't work, try this:

http://tinyurl.com/2vlor3

rgds
Mike
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 895 Location: Hockley

Another year and it's on again......one for Graham on 2009

http://www.mattmahoney.net/barkley/
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 895 Location: Hockley

winner Brian Robinson in new record 55hrs 14 mins....

2008 Results
Mar. 29. Unofficial results for loops 1-4 posted to the ultra list by "PCTR Ultra" on Mar. 31, 2008. Weather was overcast, 40's to 60's with scattered showers and some fog. The north boundary trail had been cleared and opened for the first 5 miles, making the course possibly one hour faster per loop. The course was essentially the same as 2006 when Leonard's Butt Slide and Little Hell were replaced with Fyke's Peak, Testicle Spectacle, Danger Dave's Climbing Wall and Pig Head Trail. The Hump, removed in 2006 was added back. Total climb is 54,200 ft.
Loop 1
1 Brian Robinson 7:07:43
2 Byron Backer 8:03:15
3 Jim Nelson 8:22:20
4 Greg Eason 8:52:23
5 Carl Laniak 8:52:25
6 Andrew Thompson 8:56:35
7 Jason Poole 9:03:09
8 Todd Holmes 9:03:10
9 Dewayne Satterfield 9:15:15
10 Michael Graz 9:05:15
11 Heather Graz 9:05:16
12 Blake Wood 9:11:52
13 Andras Low 9:11:53
14 Joe Decker 9:17:24
15 Jon Barker 9:17:25
16 Wendell Doman 9:33:00
17 Hiram Rogers 10:33:24
18 John Tyszkiewicz 11:09:58
19 Eugene Trahern 11:09:59
20 Ed Furtaw 11:18:19
21 Bill Goodwine 11:18:22
22 Andrew Hackett 11:19:45
23 Leonard Martin 11:19:55
24 Sue Thompson 11:27:11
25 John DeWalt 12:04:33
26 David Hughes 12:17:06
27 Matt Mahoney 12:17:06
35 Starters

Loop 2
1 Brian Robinson 16:47:30
2 Jim Nelson 20:00:57
3 Byron Backer 21:53:37
4 Carl Laniak 22:14:44
5 Greg Eason 22:14:45
6 Andrew Thompson 22:14:55
7 Blake Wood 23:17:20
8 Jason Poole 23:19:46
9 Joe Decker 23:37:30
23 Starters

Loop 3
1 Brian Robinson 29:56:49
2 Jim Nelson 33:42:34
3 Byron Backer 36:28:29
4 Blake Wood 36:52:27
5 Greg Eason 38:15:57
6 Carl Laniak 38:15:58
7 Andrew Thompson 38:15:59
7 Starters

Loop 4
1 Brian Robinson 43:19:20
1 Starter

Loop 5
1 Brian Robinson 55:47 (course record)

Photos of Brian Robinson's finish
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

Pammie · Joined: 30 Jun 2006 Posts: 280

I am totally lost for words

One Question
Was it OUR Mark Williams that has done this
_________________
I'll put something interesting here when i've thought of something, in the meantime heres some music.

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 895 Location: Hockley

Our Mark Williams would no better..... cheers

_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.