Athletes must rip out a page corresponding to their bib number and have all the book pages in hand at the end of each loop to prove they reached each checkpoint.īecause of the array of unique challenges the race presents, only 17 individuals have completed the race since it started in 1986. The ultramarathon is marked with unique unmanned checkpoints, each of which contains a paperback book. Getting lost – as well as falling and getting injured in the brush – is par for the course. Athletes run the course over three sleepless days and nights – and there are no aid stations, phones or GPS to help with navigation. The race consists of five loops of around 20 miles each, for a total of between 100 to 130 miles through brushy mountains with an elevation gain of around 63,000 feet. The route was inspired by the 1977 prison escape of James Earl Ray, who assassinated the Rev. The famed ultramarathon, the brainchild of runner Gary Cantrell (better known by his nickname Lazarus Lake or “Laz”), takes place in Tennessee’s Frozen Head State Park. Japan’s Tom Ihara was another tap-out on loop four.The infamous murderer's prison escape that inspired a near-impossible ultramarathon
Sanchez, who is best known as the holder of the record for the self-supported fastest-known time for the south-to-north route on the John Muir Trail, had made a big push over the course of loop four, which he started more than 50 minutes behind the leading trio of Kelly, Hall and Albert Herrero Casas.īelgian Sabbe then improved on his effort last year as he made it three runners on loop five, coming home in 46:36:57 and turning things around in around 23 minutes.Ĭasas would tap out part way through loop four and with Kelly out in front, recent Spine Race winner Hall had a battle to make it back to camp inside the 48-hour window.īut he emerged at the gate with half an hour remaining and was back into the thick of it with five minutes to spare. Kelly was under pressure from France’s Sanchez, who finished loop four only seven minutes later and was back out less than five minutes adrift. The American completed loop four in 45:50:23 and was back into action after less than 13 minutes, with those behind him running in alternating directions for the final loop. Comrades Marathon: Route, live tracking & how to enter
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