This past Sunday I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend a screening of a new documentary movie that featured the infamous Barkley Marathons
. It was a packed house, a sold-out crowd of runners and adventure enthusiasts, in addition to your normal film festival goers. I had heard about The Barkley Marathons before, as it's a pretty well known race here in Tennessee, and apparently world-wide, but this movie made it in to so much more.
. It was a packed house, a sold-out crowd of runners and adventure enthusiasts, in addition to your normal film festival goers. I had heard about The Barkley Marathons before, as it's a pretty well known race here in Tennessee, and apparently world-wide, but this movie made it in to so much more.
Intrigued? I was and the trailer alone was enough to make me want to see this film.
So here's the basic premise:
The Barkley Marathon is a roughly 100 mile trail race.
The trail consists of 5 loops on a 20 mile-ish, unmarked trail.
Hundreds of people apply and only 35 people get in.
Since the race started in 1986, only 15 people have completed the race.
No woman has ever completed the entire race.
Hooked yet? No? Maybe you need more video!
So here's the basic premise:
The Barkley Marathon is a roughly 100 mile trail race.
The trail consists of 5 loops on a 20 mile-ish, unmarked trail.
Hundreds of people apply and only 35 people get in.
Since the race started in 1986, only 15 people have completed the race.
No woman has ever completed the entire race.
Hooked yet? No? Maybe you need more video!
I went in to this movie expecting it to help motivate me and inspire me for StumpJump in October and instead found myself dreaming of someday being able to participate in something so illustrious as The Barkleys. The participants of this race, their motivation and drive, their sheer will to push themselves until they reach their breaking point was so inspiring and heart wrenching.
When participants had reached their limits and had to drop, your heart went out to them, feeling for them, and with every lap completed, you rooted for them to finish, to conquer their fears and reach their goals.
I'm not sure if the producers intend to do a full nationwide release, but if I were you I would take any opportunity to go see it if it comes to a theater near you or buy it when it becomes available for purchase, do it!
In the meantime, if you're feeling adventurous, consider doing a little research on The Barkley Marathons or maybe consider joining me this fall - I'm thinking about running the "baby version" and signing up for The Barkley Classic!
When participants had reached their limits and had to drop, your heart went out to them, feeling for them, and with every lap completed, you rooted for them to finish, to conquer their fears and reach their goals.
I'm not sure if the producers intend to do a full nationwide release, but if I were you I would take any opportunity to go see it if it comes to a theater near you or buy it when it becomes available for purchase, do it!
In the meantime, if you're feeling adventurous, consider doing a little research on The Barkley Marathons or maybe consider joining me this fall - I'm thinking about running the "baby version" and signing up for The Barkley Classic!