Gary Cantrell, aka Lazarus Lake, is the man behind the Barkley Marathons, a race with a powerful air of mystery and a reputation for insane levels of toughness.  A race that strips it’s runners to the bone, pitting them against the wilderness in a fight that heavily favours the hills.

Since it’s 1986 inception, only 15 runners have ever reached the finish and yet runners all over the world muddle through the obscure application process each year in the hope that it might be their time.

In this episode, Will chats to Laz about Gary Cantrell’s early ultra-running days, about how a lack of races led to him setting up his own, about his recent trans-continental trek across the US, and about how the now world-famous Barkley Marathons came to be the race that it is.

To listen to the full inspiring Podcast click here…

The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young – Trailer

The Race That Eats Its Young. A famous prison escape sparks the idea for a cult-like race that has seen only 10 finishers in its first 25 years. This award-winning, oddly inspiring, and wildly funny documentary reveals the sports world’s most guarded secret. Click on the pic to buy:

Further reading:

Will Roberts was the host talking to Laz on the Everything Endurance Podcast. You can check out Will at his website https://baldlygo.uk and on Instagram @willbaldygo

Also check out the Beyond The Ultimate website at https://beyondtheultimate.co.uk/ lots of exciting stuff going on there, also on Instagram @beyondtheultimate

WHERE DREAMS GO TO DIE – Gary Robbins and The Barkley Marathons – The Ginger Runner

Last Women Standing: The Barkley Marathons 2019 – Inov8 – Nicky Spinks