For the primary time in 38 years, a Canadian has completed the Barkley Marathons. Ihor Verys of Chilliwack, B.C., completed his remaining loop on Friday afternoon at Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg, Tenn. He accomplished 5 loops of the 20+ mile course in 58:44:59 and is the primary runner to complete.
Ihor Verys approaching the end of the #BM100. pic.twitter.com/vDiJdEgJcu
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 22, 2024
What Verys has achieved is nothing wanting outstanding. The Barkley Marathons course is extremely lengthy and gruelling, with 1000’s of metres of elevation acquire, equal to up and down Everest twice, after which some.
This was Verys’s first time on the Barkley Marathons in solely his fourth yr of competing professionally. Final yr, he was runner-up at Huge’s Yard Extremely World Championships, which was received by American Harvey Lewis, who ran a mind-boggling 724 km over 5 days; Verys set a Canadian document of 107 “yards,” smashing his earlier private finest by 267 km. Verys additionally has wins at B.C.’s Fats Canine 120 and the Canadian Dying Race.
Lewis, who was additionally a part of this yr’s Barkley however dropped out of the race after the primary loop, was out on the course to cheer on Verys as he took on his remaining loop. Verys reportedly smiled and mentioned to Lewis “It’s solely 60 hours, not 107,” referencing the elapsed time restrict of the Barkley Marathons, in comparison with how lengthy he was on the course at Huge’s Yard, which is a last-runner-standing occasion.
Ukrainian Ihor Verys is the primary on loop 4 to guide on the #BM100
Photograph credit score: @howiesternphoto pic.twitter.com/orAckYJTCi
— Keith (@keithdunn) March 21, 2024
Verys, 29, was considered one of seven runners to tackle loop 5–a brand new document on the Barkley. Per Barkley guidelines, runners who head out on loop 5 concurrently could not journey collectively; they have to go in reverse instructions. Verys, being the primary runner to move out, determined to go clockwise (the popular route); John Kelly, the second runner, subsequently needed to go counterclockwise. Six runners stay on the course on the time of publication.
The race might be over and any finishers decided by 5:17 p.m. ET Friday.
What’s the Barkley Marathons?
The Barkley Marathons is 5 loops of a 20+ mile course (distances differ; the race is regarded as about 120 miles, or 192 km) that includes 1000’s of metres of elevation acquire, with a time restrict of 60 hours. GPS watches usually are not allowed; every runner is issued an inexpensive watch set to “Barkley time,” i.e., the 60-hour restrict. Runners should accumulate pages similar to their bib quantity from 13 books hidden on the course (they obtain a brand new bib for every loop); lacking pages imply disqualification. There may be water accessible on the course, however no assist stations. Runners could solely obtain assist from their crew between loops, in camp, the place they’re on the clock.
