Every runner fails to finish 'sadistic torture race' that only 20 people have ever completed

Arguably the most demanding and difficult ultramarathon in the world took place this week, and nobody finished.

Known as The Barkley Marathons, the American-based sports challenge drives athletes to the edge, with just 20 finishers recorded in the event's history.

Shockingly, more people have been to the moon than those who have finished the challenge.

Founded by Gary 'Lazarus Lake' Cantrell in 1986, the trail race began in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee this year.

The unforgiving challenge consists of five 20-mile loops, which add up to over 100 miles in total, as runners are given just 60 hours to complete it all.

Running isn't all that's involved though, as off-trail navigation, extreme climbing and around 60,000 feet of elevation gain is on the list too. For reference, Everest has an elevation of 8,848m (29,000 feet).

It's been described as the 'sadistic torture race', as competitors have to endure different terrains, steep hills, and torrid weather.

Basically, you've got to be an absolute beast to do it.

Despite being founded in 1986, the first finisher didn't come until 1995 when Mark Williams crossed the line. Meanwhile, Jared Campbell currently holds the joint-most finishes record, with three in total.

But this year, nobody was added to the list as the course took people out one by one, with the count going down to six yesterday, to three last night, and the final number of zero by the end.

It means nobody was able to match British runner Jasmin Paris' achievement of finishing last year's Barkley Marathon just 99 seconds before the 60-hour mark, becoming the first woman to complete the brutal ultramarathon.

Keith Dunn, who has been reporting on the race, took to X this morning to share: "The 2025 Barkley Marathons is over. There are no finishers."

Runner John Kelly was praised for his three-loop 'Fun Run' though, as he completed three of five loops, 10 minutes before time ran out.

Dunn wrote at the time: “John Kelly @RndmForestRunnr finished Loop 3 in 39:50:27,” highlighting the biggest achievement of the day.

Kelly himself is a three-time Barkley finisher, and was known as one of the 'famous five' who completed the course in 2024.

30 people were said to have dropped out of the first loop alone, as more and more competitors tapped out.

Dunn reported on all aspects the race, and on Wednesday (19 March) night, he shared that the race was getting gruesome: “We are 36 hours into the race, meaning the three runners still on Loop 3 cannot continue to Loop 4.

"However, if they complete Loop 3 within 40 hours they will be credited with a Fun Run. That’s where the real race is now."

Applying to compete in the race isn't easy though, as there's no website or public registration.

And if you do manage to get in, you aren't given a start time, instead being made to stay on alert from noon to light.

Instead of a whistle or blowing a blank to start the race, an official lights a cigarette to signal its start.