The Barkley: A Love Story - Episode 2, "The Edge of Possible"

The Barkley: A Love Story continues. In Episode Two, we go to Frozen Head State Park.

This episode is anchored by audio captured live at the 2025 Barkley Marathons: the conch blow, Laz's pre-race speech, the reading of the names of those no longer with us, taps, and the lighting of the cigarette. You hear the race begin. Then you hear what happens to the people who go out into those woods.

We hear from runners who trained for years and came up short. From crew members who waited at the gate for 16 hours with no information. From a Swedish war photographer who recovered from PTSD by running trails at night and found himself crying at the Barkley finish line in 2024. And at the end, a name. 99 seconds to spare. More on her in Episode Three.

Part two of three.

Guests Featured

• Finn Melanson — Single Track Podcast, 2024 Barkley media
• Jacob Zocherman — Swedish war photographer and photojournalist, 2024 Barkley
• Damian Hall — British ultra runner, 3× Barkley competitor
• Multiple 2025 Barkley runners and crew members including Kelly Halpin, Richard Shannon (first Zambian to run the Barkley), Ben Wernick, Chris Fisher, Dena Carr, Tomo Ihara, and more
• Jamil Coury — race director and Barkley competitor
• Mike Wardian — marathoner, Barkley competitor
• John Kelly — four-time Barkley finisher

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