Every couple of years there’s a new Barkley Marathons documentary. 2023 is no exception with the latest one released a couple months ago.
It’s available on YouTube with the link below this review. I promise I won’t give any spoilers!
It opens with Lazarus Lake talking about Barkley runners doing “stupid sh*t”. Nothing new here!”
I was immediately drawn in. I love Laz! He’s a crafty, wise soul who loves to play with Barkley participants’ minds. And I love watching it all unfold.
This 40-minute documentary follows new Barkley victim ultrarunner Joe McConaughy as he tries his skills and luck on the course.
But Barkley isn’t like a regular ultra race. In fact, I don’t liken to an ultra race at all. It’s more an orienteering-slogfest through some of the toughest terrain you’ll ever find.
The best Barkley racers will be those who can find their way through thick woods without trails or GPS or teams or pacers or anything. That’s what makes it so hard. It’s a niche race that uses different skills than Western States or Hardrock or UTMB. You won’t find Jim Walmsley on this course, although Courtney Dauwalter tried her luck last year. She finished two laps, which is not shabby at all, considering the weather was horrible.
This year’s documentary shows sides of the race that haven’t been seen before and that’s what makes it truly special. You see more of the crews left at the start and finish. Crews aren’t allowed on the course; they wait impatiently and helplessly on the sidelines, hoping their loved one makes it OK.
The film holds the viewer in suspense for the finish…… will the race win this year, will there be a finisher?
You’ll just have to see that for yourself. It’s worth watching and you can see it for free on YouTube.