'Sadistic torture race' that only 20 people have ever finished has started for 2025

One of the most gruelling ultramarathons in the world has kicked off in the US.

The Barkley Marathons - created by Gary 'Lazarus Lake' Cantrell in 1986 - has begun in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, as competitors are up against five 20-mile loops, totalling 100+ miles.

Why only 20 people have completed the Barkley Marathons

Runners have 60 hours to complete all five loops, featuring off-trail navigation, extreme climbing, and over 60,000 feet of elevation gain, which is almost double Mount Everest.

To make things even more difficult, runners have to get through dense forests, steep hills, rocky terrain, and sometimes terrible weather.

Mark Williams was the first person to finish the race in 1995, as Jared Campbell holds the record with a total of three finishes.

The Barkley Marathons application process

Jasmin Paris became the first woman to make it all the way to the finish line in just under 60 hours in 2024 (Simone Luciani/@escoacorrere/Instagram)

There also happens to be a very secretive and difficult entry process.

Given that there is no official website or public registration, getting in requires inside knowledge.

How the Barkley Marathons starts

Runners are presented with a cake that reads, 'Good luck, morons', before the marathon starts.

But apparently they aren't told exactly when the race is beginning, and are kept on high alert from noon to night.

The race only starts once a race official lights a cigarette.

Last year, Jasmin Paris became the first woman to make it all the way to the finish line in just under 60 hours.

Paris' 2024 run made history (Simone Luciani/@escoacorrere/Instagram)

With just 99 seconds to spare, the Manchester born runner was able to make history.

"You’re really tired and still feel that you’ve got a real way to go and I ended up really struggling to eat on the fourth loop," she told LADbible.

"I felt really sick and inside, all my guts were really hurting. I just wanted to curl up on the floor in the forest and stay there so it was pretty hard to keep going.

"Inside I thought I’m going to give it everything, I’m either going to finish or I’m going to collapse - I was that committed.

"I just emptied myself out completely. I did believe I was going to do it and that stayed with me all the way through but that last kilometre I doubted."

Paris completed the Barkley Marathons, just in the nick of time, at 59 hours, 58 minutes and 21 seconds.

As you can imagine, she collapsed in a heap just after the finish line.