Karel Sabbe leading at the Barkley Marathons
Sabbe is the first to head out for a fourth loop, completing three loops in 32 hours
Karel Sabbe is the first runner to finish three loops at the 2022 Barkley Marathons. Sabbe completed his third loop in just over 12 hours, for a total time of 32:21:49, three and a half hours under the 36-hour barrier to head out for a fourth loop.
After finishing his third loop, Sabbe took a 19-minute pit stop at camp to restock on food and supplies before heading out to tackle the fourth loop around 32:40:49.
According to Keith Dunn’s Twitter, John Kelly, who Sabbe was running with for the first two loops, arrived at the top of Rat Jaw 30 minutes after Sabbe came through. Five runners are remaining in the race.
Kelly, Thomas Dunkerbeck(a Barkley virgin), Greig Hamilton and 2019 Spine Race winner Jasmin Paris are also among the five runners left, currently out on their third loop.
This year is Sabbe’s second crack at the Barkley, after bowing out on his fourth loop in 2019 alongside Hamilton.
There are approximately 40 starters every year. They have 60 hours to finish five 20-mile loops through steep and unforgiving terrain in Tennessee’s Frozen Head State Park while using their orienteering skills to navigate the course, which is not marked. GPS watches are not allowed; each runner is issued a Casio watch with very little functionality beyond keeping them apprised of how much time has passed. Runners must also collect specific pages (corresponding to their bib number) from books hidden on the course; missing pages mean automatic disqualification. (Runners receive a new bib at the beginning of each loop).
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