“They say one lap is 20 miles, but I think in all actuality it’s 26 miles,” said Poplar Bluff Detective Dan Mustain.
Mustain, who is no stranger to marathons, has signed himself up for the upcoming Barkley Fall Classic.
The BFC, which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17, is a race designed to give runners a sample of the original Barkley Marathons.
The race, held in the Brushy Mountains of Tennessee, is basically a smaller version of what is known as the Big Barkley Marathon. It is touted on being designed to test not only the limits of physical endurance, but also mental fortitude.
The Barkley Marathons were originally inspired by the 1977 escape of seven other convicts from the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary.
According to a documentary about the event called “The Barkley Marathons,” police discovered the escapees two and a half days after they climbed the wall to make their escape. The group had only managed to make it eight miles away from the penitentiary.
Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell, an endurance race designer and director, along with close friend and runner and Karl Henn created the race after learning convicts had only covered about 12 miles of land despite the fact that they had been running for over 50 hours.
According to a published article in themarathonhandbook.com, Cantrell said to himself, “I could do at least 100 miles,” and with that, the Barkley Marathons, named for Cantrell’s long-time neighbor and running companion, Barry Barkley, began its yearly tradition.
When asked why he wanted to take part in such a physically demanding race, Mustain said, “My dad was always big into running. He got us into it as kids, so my older sister and I still take part in that a lot. My sister ran like 50 miles so she’s tough, but she still didn’t finish it.”
“They don’t reveal the course until the night before the race,” Mustain said, adding a portion of the trail runs under the old penitentiary.
Mustain completed two other marathons called the Cowbell Marathons in St. Charles, Missouri, one of which he won first place.
“I still have three months to prepare for. I run around 20 miles a week now. It’s about time to start doubling that,” said Mustain. “This will be the longest I have ever run. I just hope to be able to finish the race.”
Over half of participants are unable to complete the grueling race according to information given on the sign up website. Anyone interested in signing up or just reading more about the race can do so at https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=79789
According to the documentary and sign-up information, proceeds from the race are utilized for the local athletics program in the county.
As of last year, the Morgan County community has received over $190,000 in fees from the BFC race.