Barkley Marathons 2018

Neady83

As one of our own is heading to Atlanta this morning to take on the Barkley Marathons, I thought we could have a thread to keep all the info. on the race and Eoins progress together but mods, feel free to move or merge of there's already a thread I haven't spotted.

The race starts some time on Aprils fools day and one hour after Laz lights his cigarette and blows the conch shell.

Our super endurance athlete Enduro is winging his way to take on the Barkley Marathons. If you've never heard of this race, check out the documentary on Netflix or this feature length movie.

Eoin popped a post up on his blog here about his preparation for the race.

Hopefully we'll get some updates on Eoins FB page here.

Outsider magazine popped up an interview that they did with Eoin yesterday here.

al87987

Only watched the documentary last night.

All credit to him, I just hope he's not this years sacrificial lamb.

Best of luck.

Djoucer

I reckon the race starts this weekend. Else a lot of people going over very very early.

Neady83

Djoucer wrote: »

I reckon the race starts this weekend. Else a lot of people going over very very early.

I wondered why people were going so early and the only reference to April 1st I've seen is on Enduros blog but it's only a reference as he says

"As time marches forward towards the traditional Barkley date of April 1st (Yes, fool’s day) the clock is ticking ever more loudly and the level of terror is rising with it!"

.... you're probably quite right about it being on this weekend.

Djoucer

Gary Robbins started his taper on March 8th for this year's race.

Last year he started taper on March 15th for April 1st start.

Both roughly 2 weeks of taper.

Djoucer

Yup, it's this weekend. Few French athletes have said this weekend along with Billy Yang podcast.

Let the dot watching....let the barrier waiting begin.

Testosterscone

al87987 wrote: »

All credit to him, I just hope he's not this years sacrificial lamb.

Best of luck.

Usually it's a Crossfit/Marine/Seal/Fitspo type they select for this rather than an ultra runner with a distinguished background

DubOnHoliday

Testosterscone wrote: »

Usually it's a Crossfit/Marine/Seal/Fitspo type they select for this rather than an ultra runner with a distinguished background

They deemed Enduro to be in the crazy category

Singer

It'll be fascinating to hear how he gets on. Is he the first Irishman to do it? Surely the first from boards

You'd imagine he'd be somewhat competitive, then again the standard and DNF rate are both insanely high, so who knows. Maybe there'll be an open-top bus down O'Connell St. if he wins.

sideswipe

I'll be interested to read his nutrition plan- I'm thinking 2 sips of water and a hand full of trail mix:D

Neady83

This mornings 10 o clock reading with your cup of coffee is a new Blog post from Eoin here

"Preparing for Barkley (Striving for Optimal Idiocy)"

Kellygirl

This looks like some challenge! Will be following with interest. Best of luck!

The Black Oil

And then there’s Barkley. A race that needs no videos to psych people out! This is the first running race that I’ve entered that intimidates me.

I like the number plate too.

4Ad

Thanks for posting this, I have subscribed.
To get selected is an achievement.

Baby75

Neady83 wrote: »

This mornings 10 o clock reading with your cup of coffee is a new Blog post from Eoin here

"Preparing for Barkley (Striving for Optimal Idiocy)"

What a great blog post, I enjoyed reading it this morning and have been following Eoin on facebook, it is great to have one of our own taking on The Barkley

Exciting stuff and I love his number plate

ariana`

Just watched the Netflix documentary last night - an amazing event, what a challenge to take on. Looking forward to reading his blog over the next few days.

Baby75

I followed Gary Robbins on youtube last year before his Barley attempt poor guy took a wrong turn and missed the cut off by 6 seconds! worth watching on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMgaW6F59tU



Seen the update on Facebook this morning, looks like it is very cold over there, here's hoping all the snow here has Eoin well prepared

Neady83

As well as Enduros entourage giving us updates, Canadian Running Magazine seem to be broadcasting live videos also. You can find their facebook page here.

Baby75

Neady83 wrote: »

As well as Enduros entourage giving us updates, Canadian Running Magazine seem to be broadcasting live videos also. You can find their facebook page here.

Excellent thanks, Neady, I am going to check that out

Djoucer

Baby75 wrote: »

I followed Gary Robbins on youtube last year before his Barley attempt poor guy took a wrong turn and missed the cut off by 6 seconds! worth watching on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMgaW6F59tU

He would've been disqualified if he got under the time limit.

He went the wrong way and cut 2 miles off the course.

The 6 seconds thing has since become a bit of a myth.

Neady83

Facebook says that the Conch was blown about 48 minutes ago ...... it's almost time!!!

I'm only a little bit excited

Edit: maybe it was a pretend conch. I wish I was there.

mloc123

I can't warm to Robbins at all... I am not sure why tho.

Ultraman100

Enduro better not come home with a beard....

The Black Oil

Neady83 wrote: »

Hopefully we'll get some updates on Eoins FB page here.

Bottle of Jameson has made its way to Tennessee.

RacoonQueen

Neady83 wrote: »

Facebook says that the Conch was blown about 48 minutes ago ...... it's almost time!!!

I'm only a little bit excited

Edit: maybe it was a pretend conch. I wish I was there.

That was the fake one.

Was blown 8:33 am...not long now

Baby75

RacoonQueen wrote: »

That was the fake one.

Was blown 8:33 am...not long now

Eeek so exciting !

Kellygirl

Will have just started a few mins ago! Really exciting! Hope the weather doesn’t get too bad.

Baby75

Kellygirl wrote: »

Will have just started a few mins ago! Really exciting! Hope the weather doesn’t get too bad.

The forecast is crap :eek: their poor feet will be in ribbons

Baby75

They are away!!

TFBubendorfer

mloc123 wrote: »

I can't warm to Robbins at all... I am not sure why tho.

Many, many years ago, long before anyone knew him, he did an FKT on some Canadian trail, before FKTs were even a thing, and for some reason I left him a message and he responded straight away and we ended up chatting for a while.

He's a genuinely nice guy without any airs about him, and an excellent ultra runner to boot. On top of that, his reaction at the end of last year's Barkley was top class, immediately telling where he had taken a wrong turn without even anyone asking questions, never pretending to have finished. I have tons of time for him.

Bugsy2000

https://mobile.twitter.com/CanadianRunning/status/977558270134161408/video/1

Everybody covered head to toe with multiple layers, then there's one lad in shorts and t-shirt.

The Black Oil

Like something from a Steven King adaptation.

https://twitter.com/BarkleyMarathon/status/977630921913401344

Neady83

Update two hours ago on Eoins FB page

Out at Rat Jaw.. Gary Jamille in lead... em we are hearing Eoin may have dropped his compass... I'm at halfway..so waiting to see if he has managed to pair with someone..

Nooooooo!!!!

Baby75

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Many, many years ago, long before anyone knew him, he did an FKT on some Canadian trail, before FKTs were even a thing, and for some reason I left him a message and he responded straight away and we ended up chatting for a while.

He's a genuinely nice guy without any airs about him, and an excellent ultra runner to boot. On top of that, his reaction at the end of last year's Barkley was top class, immediately telling where he had taken a wrong turn without even anyone asking questions, never pretending to have finished. I have tons of time for him.

I could not agree more, I have followed him a long time and like him, he runs the Squamish 50/50 and makes sure he is at the finish to welcome every competitor across the finish line.

I saw an update on FB any new's if Eoin did really lose his compass :eek:

Baby75

Neady83 wrote: »

Update two hours ago on Eoins FB page



Nooooooo!!!!

Oh no, I hope that is not true, or he has someone to keep him company back down so he can get a spare one

Bugsy2000

https://mobile.twitter.com/DublinRunners/status/977658121639350272

Phew!!

The Black Oil

Must be very tough out there.

https://twitter.com/keithdunn/status/977659867149295621

Slow_Runner

Gary Robbins already out on loop 2, just 7 mins rest!!
No word on Eoin yet

Baby75

Update on facebook Eoin got another compass but weather conditions are very bad

The Black Oil

Bloomin' heck!

https://twitter.com/keithdunn/status/977887307389915136

Gary Robbins has finished loop 2.

rom

Time limits
1 loop 13:20
2 loops 26:40
3 loops 36:00
Cut off for loop 3 40:00 for it to count as a "fun run".

Currently 11 runners on loop 2 and 3 on loop 3.

My bad maths make it
Race began at 9:33 a.m. EDT (1:33 p.m. Irish time)
Loop 2 cut off to start is 12:13 p.m (5:13 p.m Irish time)
Loop 3 cut off to start is 10:13 p.m (to be allowed to do loop 4) (3:13 a.m. Irish time)
Loop 3 to count is if doing "fun run" (3 laps) 2:13 a.m. (7:13 a.m. Irish time)

Last update on FB

"
It's 9:45. We need Eoin in and out for 12:13 exactly... the feeling here is noone will finish this year as the 3 leaders head out on loop 3. Lastnight was a total whiteout.. visibility had people questioning if they were going up or down. Occasionally the lightning would light up the fog but not often enough."


1st,2nd,3rd on loop 3
Gary
Ally
Guillaume

rom

10 mins ago
"Johan now in, 4th. Looking good, very hungry, says he got horribly confused out there. Says, ‘it's the bad weather causing me to make the most simple of mistakes...The lightening did help. But when the weather is so bad u can't even track back your steps.’

At the finish line it has just been discussed Jamille is lost, never made it to the tower.

Eoin and Johan were an hour apart.. so now I'm hopeful he will appear soon. 1hr 4 minutes and counting...."


http://www.mattmahoney.net/barkley/

The Black Oil

There was bit of argy bargy on Twitter yesterday evening re people expecting updates, and that it's a race about runners, not the spectators. That settled down, afaik. I was a little surprised at the amount of people with cameras at the gate in some of the pics yesterday, presume most are family or crew. Anyway.

https://twitter.com/warrenswords/status/977931674012012549

rom

twitter
Valery finishes loop 2 in 26:26:26, doesn't want to go back out. Crew have 13 mins to convince him. he went back out. Now only 5 mins to cut off for fun run.

Hurrache

I think the cut off has passed and 9 runners still out on loop 2 will be tapped out upon return.

Van.Bosch

Hurrache wrote: »

I think the cut off has passed and 9 runners still out on loop 2 will be tapped out upon return.

Why would only two be tapped out if all 9 missed the cut-off?

Hurrache

The 2 is as in loop 2.

Van.Bosch

Hurrache wrote: »

The 2 is as in loop 2.

Cheers, read it again and have no idea why I was confused!

Slow_Runner

Quote from twitter:

One of recent DNFs reports that, of the 7 left on loop 2, one pair are working together to collect all pages no matter how long it takes. Could be here within an hour or two. The other 5 are in one big group, intentions and ETA unknown.

jamule

Enduro has just arrived. All we can wait for now is the story

Baby75

What a brutal race! any word on Jamil is he still lost