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2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

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Re: 2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

#11

Post by champlinRyan »

rconti wrote: post #9

I don't get how the first person to complete 4 loops had the "choice" to decide which way to run the last one. Was he choosing for everyone? This doesn't make sense, because my understanding is runners can go ANY direction they want. If they have to reverse for the 5th loop, they have to reverse relative to their OWN race direction.

The first person to complete the 4 loops chooses which way he or she goes then the next person goes the opposite way that the first person went. It then follows an every other pattern where the 3rd finisher would follow the first and the 4th would follow the 2nd.

Re: 2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

#12

Post by dtparr »

rconti wrote: post #9

I don't get how the first person to complete 4 loops had the "choice" to decide which way to run the last one. Was he choosing for everyone? This doesn't make sense, because my understanding is runners can go ANY direction they want. If they have to reverse for the 5th loop, they have to reverse relative to their OWN race direction.

For the first two loops, everyone runs clockwise. For the next two, counter clockwise. For the last lap, the leader picks a direction and anyone left alternates, so odds follow the leader, evens go the opposite way.

In this case, John picked CW, so Gary had to go CCW. Although per twitter, they had discussed it during the 4th lap and decided it mutually.

Re: 2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

#13

Post by dtparr »

kazinator wrote: post #7

Who gives a damn about their official cutoff? Data point/fact: Garry Robbins finished in 60:00:06. Coming to the finish from the wrong direction is a problem; maybe they could figure it out somehow and translate that to a penalty of some number of seconds.

So, first off, I don't think anyone, least of all in the running community wants to take anything away from Gary's accomplishments. He ran an amazing race, no question about it.

That being said, this race has its allure and mythical status specifically because it has a variety of rules/challenges that must be precisely followed. Not meeting any of them means you are not a finisher of the Barkley Marathon. If we start bending the rules because someone was close or from the emotions of things we start to devalue the accomplishment itself.

Ok, so if we say 6 seconds, that's really close enough. What about 6 minutes? What about 60?

What if he ran the right distance but took a wrong turn? Should we give him time credit for the extra couple miles?

What if he had the wrong page from a book? He still made the checkpoint... What if he had 3 wrong pages?

Eventually, being a finisher becomes a very confused and confusing accomplishment to even understand. I think it's far better to be very clear as to the rules, and then follow them, even if heartbreak ensues.

Re: 2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

#14

Post by js2 »

I ran the Umstead 100 this weekend. It was my second hundred (my first was techically a 24h race where I got to 105 and called it quits). Umstead took me 25 hours and kicked my ass. And as far as hundreds go, Umstead is an easy one.

I can't even imagine the sufferfest that is the Barkley.

I don't know why we push ourselves this way. Maybe I'll figure it out one of these races.

Respect to Gary. If you didn't watch the video, he thanks Laz (the R.D.) and gives him a hug. What a fine and proud showing for the ultra community.

Re: 2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

#15

Post by williamscales »

With a title like this, I expected a true tragedy had occurred. It is brutal for Gary but such is the nature of the Barkley Marathons.

Knowing that humans push themselves to these limits for the sheer fact of having done it is something that gives me a lot of motivation. I have been following the Barkley Marathons for a while and I dream that someday I may subject myself.

Re: 2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

#16

Post by lsllc »

js2 wrote: post #14

I ran the Umstead 100 this weekend. It was my second hundred (my first was techically a 24h race where I got to 105 and called it quits). Umstead took me 25 hours and kicked my ass. And as far as hundreds go, Umstead is an easy one. I can't even imagine the sufferfest that is the Barkley. I don't know why we push ourselves this way. Maybe I'll figure it out one of these races. Respect to Gary. If you didn't watch the…

Congrats, that's damn hard effort. I've run 50K and I could see maybe pushing it out to 50 miles. But going on to 100 miles seems just so so so much farther. Don't know how you do it!

Re: 2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

#17

Post by js2 »

lsllc wrote: post #16
js2 wrote: post #14

I ran the Umstead 100 this weekend. It was my second hundred (my first was techically a 24h race where I got to 105 and called it quits). Umstead took me 25 hours and kicked my ass. And as far as hundreds go, Umstead is an easy one. I can't even imagine the sufferfest that is the Barkley. I don't know why we push ourselves this way. Maybe I'll figure it out one of these races. Respect to Gary. If you didn't watch the…

Congrats, that's damn hard effort. I've run 50K and I could see maybe pushing it out to 50 miles. But going on to 100 miles seems just so so so much farther. Don't know how you do it!

Same way you get to 50K. Training and stubbornness. :-)

I've only run north of 50K three times now, and only twice in races. The first time was 42 mi to celebrate my birthday a few years back. Getting to 26.2 mi, 50K and 50 mi require training and preparation. But getting beyond 50 mi, and especially beyond 100K require resolve. It certainly helps to be well trained of course, but I think mostly you just need to not quit.

The race I did is eight 12.5 mi laps. I finished lap 5 and thought: only 9 more hours or so of running. But, you just break it down into manageable chunks and keep going. Or you quit.

Re: 2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

#18

Post by TylerE »

lsllc wrote: post #16
js2 wrote: post #14

I ran the Umstead 100 this weekend. It was my second hundred (my first was techically a 24h race where I got to 105 and called it quits). Umstead took me 25 hours and kicked my ass. And as far as hundreds go, Umstead is an easy one. I can't even imagine the sufferfest that is the Barkley. I don't know why we push ourselves this way. Maybe I'll figure it out one of these races. Respect to Gary. If you didn't watch the…

Congrats, that's damn hard effort. I've run 50K and I could see maybe pushing it out to 50 miles. But going on to 100 miles seems just so so so much farther. Don't know how you do it!

Running 100 miles doesn't begin to describe the Barkley.

It's more like running 100 miles...on a section of the Appalachian Trail...that hasn't been maintained in 20 years.

Re: 2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

#19

Post by throwawaylalala »

lsllc wrote: post #16
js2 wrote: post #14

I ran the Umstead 100 this weekend. It was my second hundred (my first was techically a 24h race where I got to 105 and called it quits). Umstead took me 25 hours and kicked my ass. And as far as hundreds go, Umstead is an easy one. I can't even imagine the sufferfest that is the Barkley. I don't know why we push ourselves this way. Maybe I'll figure it out one of these races. Respect to Gary. If you didn't watch the…

Congrats, that's damn hard effort. I've run 50K and I could see maybe pushing it out to 50 miles. But going on to 100 miles seems just so so so much farther. Don't know how you do it!

50 miles is physical. 100 (or 100+) is mental.

Re: 2017 Barkley Marathon features one finisher, heartbreak for Gary Robbins

#20

Post by newmanships »

pdelbarba wrote: post #5

Interestingly, the 100mi road record is 11:46:37. I doubt that was done with ~10mi of vertical climb though...

I don't know the elevation gain on that run, but the 100mile track record is 11:28:03 so I would guess not much gain on the road record :) Interestingly the women's track record is slower than the road record.

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-fastest-time-anyone-has-ru... (these might have been broken by now)

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