The Barkley Marathon includes many traditions, including the blowing of a conch shell — in this instance, by Carl Laniak.
Somewhere deep in the East Tennessee woods, there’s a race with no finish line — at least not one most people will ever reach. There’s no official website, no posted start time, and the course changes every year.
Runners carry pages torn from books as proof they’ve completed each loop. And it all begins with the lighting of a cigarette.
The Barkley Marathons isn’t just an ultramarathon. It’s a ritual. A myth. A myth that the Niche to Meet You podcast had to explore. You can hear an except above or listen to the full episode and learn more about the show at www.nichetomeetyou.show.
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