The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young

I am not a sporting man. I am also not a fan of sports films, generally. I don't run. However, I am a connoisseur of stories about obsessions, particularly unhealthy ones that could be detrimental to people's mental and physical well-being. And that makes this movie RIGHT down my alley.

The true story of a determinedly obscure marathon, one that has select entrants, an absurd level of endurance, and a strange way of keeping track of people's progress, it is clearly designed with the intent of only attracting the oddest of of endurance participants. It's both the total inverse and somehow the spiritual twin of the documentary Hands On a Hard Body, as both of them plumb the depths of seemingly normal people's endurance to understand their drives and motivations.

Does it answer that? Maybe, maybe not. But the journey is worth it regardless.

I enjoyed this documentary, which follows the 2012 race of Barkley Marathon, one of the toughest and wildest ultramarathons.

This movie reminded me of "Safety to Nome" about Iditarod Trail, another tough ultra marathon occurring in Alaska, in that the participants' persistence and strength were equally impressive. But this one took a lighter and less tense stance, featuring each key attendee's journey in a less dramatic (more abstract?) way, blended well with the narrative by the organizer. It was much easier to follow it, rather than keeping my palm sweated all throughout.

Nevertheless, it was not boring at all! The last few minutes were indeed full of a good drama and a small suspense.

I recommend it!

I've heard of The Barkley Marathons before, but this doc really nails it. Low-fi homespun logistics tying together possibly the nuttiest and toughest course on the planet. Invite only and limited to 40 entrants per year, to tackle a 130(ish) mile course, across mind bogglingly hard terrain that you have to navigate yourself, with map/compass, no GPS. 5 laps, in daylight and at night, going opposite directions on each loop. Most people don't complete 1 Lap, never mind all 5. Completely solo, no help, no markers, no water stations, intentionally fluid organisation, even no set start time... but you only have 60 hours to complete it. With no markers and no GPS, can't you cheat? No, there are books at various points in the woods and you have to find them all, tear out the page that matches your race number (that changes each loop) and get a full set. It is awe inspiring. It is heart breaking and it makes for gripping viewing. Not a chance in hell I'd try it myself though.

Tennessee is the location, the backwoods are the course, and time is the enemy. Footage is a fantastic documentary of what people can or cannot endure. The organizer is hilariously wry, the camera work is great, and there is no aspect that suggests this to be staged" like so much reality survival footage.

The film includes background re. how and why the race began, its history, and personal asides The modicum of foul language further clarifies this as a true presentation.

I would love to be chosen for such a race yet know that if I even made it through the first five miles, I would have to buck up to walk five miles to to get back the where I started: even that would be victory for me.

Hats off and Hurrahs for all involved in this film.

A fun, warm look at the weirdos and Weirdo In Chief orbiting the enigmatic Barkley Marathon. Well worth the watch, especially if you're looking for something that has nuance and psychology but is also not a hard watch.