Following in the Footsteps of Fugitives

Races that Wonder If You Can Endure the Escape

Author

The Déjà Digest
March 26, 2024

Background: They call it the Race That Eats Its Young, but this year, a mama bear showed them who's boss!

The Barkley Marathon, hosted in Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee, is one of the most challenging ultra-marathons in the world. The race consists of five loops, totaling approximately 100 miles. Participants navigate through thick brush, steep inclines, and treacherous descents, with a cumulative elevation gain that rivals climbing Mount Everest twice. The race is so difficult that years often pass without a single finisher.

In this year's race Jasmin Paris became the first woman to conquer the Barkley. She finished with 99 seconds to spare.

The race was created by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell in 1986, inspired by the escape of convict James Earl Ray from nearby Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in 1977. Ray only made it 12 miles in the 2+ days he was on the loose. Cantrell believed he could make it at least 100 miles in that time, and the race was born.

What is it about prison breaks that make for good endurance challenges?

Deja Vu: The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon is one of the most iconic and challenging triathlon events in the world, known for its unique and demanding course that takes athletes through the cold, choppy waters of San Francisco Bay, over the hilly terrain of San Francisco itself, and along the rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean.

It first took place in 1981 (a few years before the first Barkley Marathon), making it one of the longer-running triathlons in existence. The event draws its name and inspiration from the infamous and historical Alcatraz Island, once home to the notorious federal prison that housed some of America's most dangerous criminals until its closure in 1963. Perhaps the most famous “Escape from Alcatraz” was that of Frank Lee Morris. Morris and two others escaped from Alcatraz on June 11, 1962, and they were never to be seen again.1

The Barkley Marathon is shrouded in mystique and exclusivity, with only a couple dozen participants a year. The Alcatraz Triathlon attracts thousands of participants. Both are a bucket-list event for many in the endurance sports community.

Lap 1: About Alcatraz

The race starts with a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the shore of San Francisco. Participants jump from a ferry into the cold, strong currents of San Francisco Bay.

  • Sharks: According to the organizers, the sharks that live in the Bay are small and “have no interest in triathletes.”

  • Wetsuits: In the early years of the triathlon, competitors could not wear wetsuits for the swim segment, but this rule has since changed.

  • Wait List: The 2024 race takes place in June, but the 2,000 spots are already sold out. A waitlist is available.

Lap 2: Barkley Bits

Not only is the Barkley Marathon hard, but it’s quirky, too.

  • Application Process: Shrouded in mystery: potential participants must first figure out how to apply, and include a "Why I Should be Allowed to Run in the Barkley," essay in their application.

  • The Conch: The race's start time is not fixed and can begin anytime within a 12-hour window. A conch shell is blown to signal the race will start in one hour.

  • The Cigarette: The start itself is marked by Cantrell lighting a cigarette.

  • The Books: Participants must find a series of hidden books along the course and tear out a page corresponding to their race number to prove they completed each loop.

  • Bib #1: Dubbed the "human sacrifice," race bib #1 is given to the person deemed to be the least likely to finish one lap.

Lap 3: Sand Ladder

The Sand Ladder is a notorious and distinctive feature of the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, particularly challenging for its participants. It's essentially a set of wooden logs embedded into a sandy, steep hillside, acting as makeshift stairs. The Sand Ladder consists of approximately 400 steps, though the exact number can feel variable to competitors depending on the condition of the sand and their level of fatigue.

Athletes often use the cables that run alongside the steps for additional support as they navigate this tough part of the course. Despite its difficulty, or perhaps because of it, the Sand Ladder is a beloved and iconic part of the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. It embodies the spirit of the event, highlighting the natural obstacles that make this race uniquely challenging and memorable.

Lap 4: This Was a Mistake

It is anticipated that this enterprise will amount to nothing more than an extended period of unspeakable suffering, at the end of which you will ultimately find only failure and humiliation. At best, you might escape without incurring permanent physical damage and psychological scarring, which will torment you for the remainder of your life.

Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell

If you’re selected to run in the Barkley Marathon, you are sent a Letter of Condolence from Lazarus rather than a letter of acceptance.

Lap 5: Another Race?

  • The World Bog Snorkelling Championship (Wales): This unique competition in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, sees participants race through a 55-meter trench filled with peaty bog water.

  • The Marathon des Sables: Often considered the toughest footrace on Earth, this ultra-marathon takes place in the Sahara Desert, with participants running the equivalent of over five marathons in six days, under scorching temperatures.

  • The Spartathlon: - This ultramarathon in Greece retraces the footsteps of Pheidippides, the ancient Athenian messenger who ran from Athens to Sparta to seek help against the Persians in the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE. (At least that’s what legend says).

  • The Gettysburg North-South Marathon: Run near the historic Civil War battlefield in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, this marathon commemorates one of the most significant and pivotal battles in American history.

Recommended Watching: The Race That Eats Its Young (2014)

Award-winning, oddly inspiring, and wildly funny documentary reveals the sports world's most guarded secret.

Available on YouTube

(Not and Ad): Patagonia: Whether you're battling the unforgiving terrains of the Barkley Marathons or braving the cold, choppy waters of the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, Patagonia has got you covered. Our range of high-performance, sustainably sourced gear is designed to withstand the toughest conditions, keeping you comfortable, protected, and focused on your goal.

1 The most likely scenario is they drowned, but don’t tell any of the triathletes that.