In a story titled “The 2026 Barkley Marathons Have Begun—Its Earliest Start Date Ever,” published by Runner’s World on Saturday, it was reported that “Runners set off after Lazarus Lake lit the ceremonial cigarette at 6 a.m. on Valentine’s Day.”
On a chilly morning in the rural mountains of Tennessee, a conch shell was blown and a cigarette was lit, signaling the start of the 2026 Barkley Marathons.
The famously secretive—and extremely difficult—race is a fan favorite every year. The Valentine’s Day start is the earliest start date in the race’s history, which dates back to 1986. Most years, the race is held in mid-to-late March or early April.
The 2026 edition officially began at 6 a.m. ET and will conclude at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.
The format of Barkley is unlike any other ultramarathon. Each year, around 40 people start the roughly 100-mile race. To finish, they must complete five loops of the course—which meanders through Frozen Head State Park—under the 60-hour cutoff. The course changes every year and participants aren’t allowed to use GPS to navigate. Typically, runners can expect north of 60,000 feet of elevation gain.
Only 20 people have completed the race, with Brett Maune, Jared Campbell, and John Kelly finishing multiple times. In 2024, Jasmin Paris became the first woman to complete the race, but last year, there were no finishers…
And, you know, in the same way very few runners are ever able find their way to the finish and complete this race that’s described as “extremely difficult,” very few people will be able to find their way to the “narrow gate” which leads to life.
You can be sure it’s not because they aren’t given the road map or the GPS coordinates to find it, though, because the Bible is clear that God’s word is a lamp into our feet and a light into our path.Which means the Lord will guide our every step and reveal the way in which we should go.
The problem, then, is not that people don’t know or can’t discover the way to eternal life but that they don’t want to follow the way. Why? Because the road requires a total surrender to Jesus Christ.
That means it requires sacrifice. It requires setting aside our will to take up God’s will—foregoing the pleasures and desires of this world to remain pure, holy, and devoted unto God. It requires following God even when the world mocks us, ridicules us, or even persecutes us for it. Most of all, it requires a total commitment to upholding and following God’s laws and standing on the Truth—something that will put us directly in opposition to the world and its false beliefs and narratives.
You see, “wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” It’s a broad road, because it’s the way that says there are many ways to heaven and that your truth is what you want it to be. Many will follow it, because it’s easier to follow the crowd than it is to follow Jesus. But Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
So, don’t be misled my friend. The broad road may look easy but the consequences of compromise have eternal repercussions that you won’t want to face.
So, choose to follow Jesus Christ while you still can. It won’t be easy. In fact, it will be very difficult. But it will be worth it in the end.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making it abundantly clear that You are the only way to heaven and that only those who choose to follow You in this world will be allowed entry. Lord, help us to be bold in sharing this message that no one would perish in account of us. And Lord, help us to stay in the narrow path no matter how difficult it might become. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
On a chilly morning in the rural mountains of Tennessee, a conch shell was blown and a cigarette was lit, signaling the start of the 2026 Barkley Marathons.
The famously secretive—and extremely difficult—race is a fan favorite every year. The Valentine’s Day start is the earliest start date in the race’s history, which dates back to 1986. Most years, the race is held in mid-to-late March or early April.
The 2026 edition officially began at 6 a.m. ET and will conclude at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.
The format of Barkley is unlike any other ultramarathon. Each year, around 40 people start the roughly 100-mile race. To finish, they must complete five loops of the course—which meanders through Frozen Head State Park—under the 60-hour cutoff. The course changes every year and participants aren’t allowed to use GPS to navigate. Typically, runners can expect north of 60,000 feet of elevation gain.
Only 20 people have completed the race, with Brett Maune, Jared Campbell, and John Kelly finishing multiple times. In 2024, Jasmin Paris became the first woman to complete the race, but last year, there were no finishers…
And, you know, in the same way very few runners are ever able find their way to the finish and complete this race that’s described as “extremely difficult,” very few people will be able to find their way to the “narrow gate” which leads to life.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
The problem, then, is not that people don’t know or can’t discover the way to eternal life but that they don’t want to follow the way. Why? Because the road requires a total surrender to Jesus Christ.
That means it requires sacrifice. It requires setting aside our will to take up God’s will—foregoing the pleasures and desires of this world to remain pure, holy, and devoted unto God. It requires following God even when the world mocks us, ridicules us, or even persecutes us for it. Most of all, it requires a total commitment to upholding and following God’s laws and standing on the Truth—something that will put us directly in opposition to the world and its false beliefs and narratives.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
You see, “wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” It’s a broad road, because it’s the way that says there are many ways to heaven and that your truth is what you want it to be. Many will follow it, because it’s easier to follow the crowd than it is to follow Jesus. But Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
So, don’t be misled my friend. The broad road may look easy but the consequences of compromise have eternal repercussions that you won’t want to face.
So, choose to follow Jesus Christ while you still can. It won’t be easy. In fact, it will be very difficult. But it will be worth it in the end.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making it abundantly clear that You are the only way to heaven and that only those who choose to follow You in this world will be allowed entry. Lord, help us to be bold in sharing this message that no one would perish in account of us. And Lord, help us to stay in the narrow path no matter how difficult it might become. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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