Being “lucky” enough to participate in the Barkley 100 is no easy task. With no “official” website for this ultra-marathon and a 40 runner limit, The Barkley 100 is one of the most secret races in the world. To apply, runners are required to write an essay loosely titled “Why I Should Be Allowed to Run the Barkley” which will be reviewed by the race director. There are no aid stations and only two water stations along the course. There are, however, 9-11 books along the route that runners must find to remove the page corresponding with their race number, as a show of completion of the course. Runners have 60 hours to complete the race, but just to get an idea of how difficult this marathon is: only 14 out of 1000 racers have finished in the 60 hour time frame.