Every ultrarunner has heard the legends of the Barkley Marathons—the race where more people have quit than finished. Five loops through the unforgiving terrain of Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee, over 60,000 feet (18,000 meters) of elevation gain, barely marked trails, and a 60-hour time limit. Most of us dream about it, but only a few even make it to the starting line.

Why? Because even signing up is its own challenge.

The Secret of Registration

For most ultras, you just go online and sign up. Not for Barkley. The only way to enter is by emailing the legendary race director, Lazarus Lake. The catch? His email address is a secret.

Every year, runners embark on a different kind of quest: searching for that email address. They scour old forums, dig through blog posts (like this one), and try to connect with past participants for hints. If you do find it, you’ll need to submit an application letter that convinces Laz you’re worthy. And the entry fee? A license plate from your home state.

How to Find the Secret Email Address

Honestly? There’s no easy way. But if you truly want to run Barkley, the journey to get there should be as tough as the race itself. Here are a few tips:

1. Read race reports and blogs. Some interviews or posts contain subtle hints. A great place to start is this detailed guide from former finisher John Kelly:

👉 How to Apply to Barkley – John Kelly

2. Talk to past participants. If you know someone who has run Barkley, ask them for guidance. But don’t expect them to hand over the email address easily.

3. Check official sources. While there’s no official sign-up page, some FAQ sites offer basic details about the race:

👉 Barkley Marathons Wikipedia Page

4. Run the Barkley Fall Classic. This shorter race is considered a stepping stone to the full Barkley. Doing well here might put you on Laz’s radar.

5. Get creative. Rumor has it that the email address is somewhere online—but hidden well. A deep dive into the internet might just lead you to it.

Final Thoughts

The Barkley Marathons isn’t just a race—it’s a quest. Even if you never make it to the start, just searching for a way to apply is an adventure in itself. And who knows? Maybe you’ll crack the code, send a killer application, and one day stand at the infamous yellow gate in Tennessee, ready for the race of a lifetime.

Until then: Keep running, stay curious, and embrace the pain.

If anyone has any hints, feel free to reach out to me at xxxxwelikethat@googlemail.com .

I promise not to share the email address publicly.