What's it like to run the Barkley Marathons?

The Barkley Marathons is widely regarded as being the world's toughest ultramarathon, completed by only 17 people in its 35-year history. Author and ultrarunner Michiel Panhuysen knows firsthand how difficult it is, having competed in it multiple times, and his new book In the Spell of the Barkley (Bloomsbury, £15.29) offers some hard-won wisdom on "the race that eats its young". On this week's episode, Panhuysen provides some illuminating insights into the Barkley, its characters and the qualities required to succeed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices