Tosh Show My Ultrarunner Hero - John Kelly
Dec 3, 2024
In this engaging conversation, ultrarunner John Kelly, renowned for his remarkable feats in endurance running, shares his journey through the notorious Barkley Marathons. He reveals the grueling challenges of this 100+ mile race, including its unique entry process and the mental fortitude required to finish. With humorous personal anecdotes, he touches on the joys and struggles of balancing intense training with family life, and offers quirky insights about the absurdities of ultrarunning. A truly captivating glimpse into the world of extreme endurance!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Barkley Marathons Race Insight
- The Barkley Marathons is a 60-hour, 100+ mile unmarked ultramarathon race in Tennessee with only 20 finishers ever.
- Participants must navigate with map and compass, finding and ripping out a page from books to prove course completion.
First Female Finisher Story
- The first female finisher of Barkley Marathons in 2024 was Jasmine Paris, finishing with only 30 seconds left.
- Her finish surprised everyone as most had given up, making it an incredible sports moment.
Barkley Entry Essay Importance
- To enter Barkley Marathons, you must write a motivating essay showing you have the credentials and desire to compete.
- Lack of motivation or unwillingness to complete this shows you likely won't finish the race.