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The Barkley Marathons: A brief timeline

The first Canadian finisher? Gary, we’re counting on you. Let’s make history!

Barkley Marathons
Barkley Marathons
Photo: Michael Doyle / Canadian Running Magazine.

The Barkley Marathons is very quickly approaching now. Will we see a first Canadian finisher at this year’s event? Only time will tell. Here’s a brief history of this unique race this far: 

READ MORE: Barkley Mad

1986

First ever Barkley Marathon takes place. 50 miles, no finishers. 

1987

Still no finishers. 

1988

Distance increases to 55 miles and “Frozen” Ed Furtaw becomes the first official Barkley finisher.

1989

A 110-mile route is added with a 50-hour cut-off, nobody ever finished it.

1995

The 20-mile lap system and the 100-mile route are introduced with a 60-hour cut-off. Mark Williams becomes the first 100-mile finisher in 59:28 2001 David Horton and Blake Wood finish together in 58:21.

Barlkey Mad Laz
Photo: Matt Trappe

2002

No race due to a temporary closure of Frozen Head National Park.

2003

Ted Keizer sets a new record of 56:57.

2004

Mike Tilden finishes in 57:25, closely followed by Jim Nelson in 57:28.

2008

Brian Robinson sets a new record of 55:42.

2009

Andrew Thompson finishes in 57:37.

2010

Jonathan Basham finishes in 59:18.

2011

Brett Muane finishes in 57:13.

2012

Brett Muane sets a new course record of 52:03. He’s followed by Jared Campbell in 56:00 and John Fegyveresi in 59:41. A record year with three finishers.

2013

Nick Hollon finishes in 57:39, followed by Travis Wildeboer in 58:41.

2014

Jared Campbell finishes again in 57:53.

2015

No finishers for the first time in eight years.

Robbins Barkley 2017
Photo: Matt Trappe

2016

Jared Campbell becomes the only person to finish the race three times. He finishes in 59:32.

RELATED: Hallucinations, sleep deprivation and vertical cliffs: What Gary Robbins’ Barkley Marathons was really like

2017

Barkley Marathons
Photo: Michael Doyle / Canadian Running Magazine.

John Kelly becomes the 15th finisher of the Barkley. Gary Robbins gets lost and reaches the yellow gate six seconds after cut-off.

This story was published in 2017 and has been updated.

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