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Top 5 marathons offered… to the few
The popular success of running and its accessibility is often praised, yet rarity still has a way of seducing, fascinating… and sometimes dividing. When one thinks of a marathon, images of crowded masses, bustling refreshment stations, and an electric atmosphere come to mind. However, certain events completely defy this image. From polar races to absurd challenges in a micro-nation, these ultra-confidential races gather just a handful of carefully selected participants.
➜ How far can the quest for exclusivity in running go? Amidst athletic achievements, assumed elitism, and environmental controversies, here is a (small) global tour of the most secretive and exclusive marathons on the planet… where finishing last might sometimes be a victory.
| 1. The Barkley Marathons (Tennessee, United States)
Let’s start with a prestigious and unique race. A legend in the ultra trail running community. Driven by its creator, genius or twisted depending on whom you ask, Gary Cantrell, the race is attempted each year by around forty runners selected for their capability. Since 1986, Lazarus Lake, Gary Cantrell’s nickname, has endeavored to offer a true nightmare to the few participants… Only 15 finishers have been noted since the race’s inception. In 2024, Jasmin Paris became the first woman to complete the race, which is extremely demanding in terms of time limits. She was likely “motivated” by a 2015 video in which Gary claimed as a “fact”: “they simply aren’t strong enough to do it”. Jasmin proved him wrong, giving Lazarus the chance to be less misogynistic and outdated…
For those who need reminding, the race covers 160.9 kilometers with elevation changes… between 18k and 24k depending on the editions! These are mind-boggling figures, surpassing all the wildest benchmarks we know. The distance is distributed over five laps, to be completed in a maximum of 60 hours (approximately 12:00 hours per lap). Runners receive no assistance and must rely solely on their map and compass for navigation; GPS and altimeters are prohibited… Oh, and one more thing: the course isn’t marked. Many editions don’t have any finishers! It’s simple, before 1994 no one completed the race. Well, we’ll stop torturing ourselves and gladly accept that the race is exclusive. Thank you, Gary!
| 2. North Pole Marathon (Spitzbergen, Norway / North Pole)
The North Pole Marathon is one of the most exclusive—and controversial—events in the running world. Visiting the race’s website can be an ordeal in itself if one holds certain values. While running on the pack ice, with temperatures dropping below -30°C, is an athletic feat, it’s hard to see the future of running in such exclusivity. With the ice melting, isn’t it somewhat childish to run at the North Pole just for a photo? This parallels the ethical questions surrounding Everest, increasingly desecrated by glory-seeking explorers. With helicopter flights and impacting a fragile environment, this race raises clear ethical concerns: does such an event still have its place in the era of climate change? It takes all sorts to make a world, but here… one can only imagine the unforgettable experience, but the price is steep. Both figuratively for the planet and literally for the participants!
| 3. Antarctic Ice Marathon (Antarctica)
The Antarctic Ice Marathon is the twin brother of the North Pole Marathon, but in an even more hostile setting: fierce winds, complete isolation, and a landscape of endless ice. On the organizer’s website, one can revel in the stunning images offered by the race. With only about fifty runners annually, it’s one of the most confidential marathons globally. Unfortunately, numerous questions surround such an event since organizing it requires cargo flights and substantial logistics in the heart of the white continent. Like the North Pole or Everest, it’s a real paradox: nature lovers seeking a unique challenge… but one that’s hardly sustainable. Let’s hope the pioneers remain so. And too bad for the rest of us.
| 4. Great Wall Marathon / private edition (China)
The Great Wall Marathon standard attracts thousands of runners, but there exists a “private” version, reserved for a handful of the privileged, often celebrities. Far, very far from popular China… Far from the thousands of participants in this prestigious marathon. To access the “VIP” race, one first needs the sponsorship of a runner who participated in a previous edition. The services during the event are top-notch, aimed at an audience accustomed to luxury. The entry fee is unspeakable: rumors suggest it runs into hundreds of thousands of euros. Does this rarity inspire runners? Not sure. This marathon raises another question: does Bling Bling inspire anyone? Unless for the organizers of this luxury version, it’s another way to view trickle-down economics.
| 5. The Sealand Marathon (Principality of Sealand)
To conclude, we set sail on the chilly North Sea towards England. A few nautical miles off the coast, opposite Ipswich, lies an old military offshore platform. Not exactly a paradise island… Imagine that in 1967, this construction at sea was annexed by Paddy Bates who proclaimed it a nation! The Principality of Sealand is not recognized by the international community but still offers nationality to anyone willing, financially of course. One man was drawn to this metal patch on the water. Simon Messenger, a passionate runner and author of the blog Around the world in 80 runs, set himself the challenge in 2015 to run a half-marathon in Sealand, with the support of the regent prince Michael Bates, son of Paddy Bates, who passed away in 2012. Imagine running on a platform the size of a tennis court in the middle of the North Sea—not the most welcoming of places. Charming? So British 🇬🇧.
11/04/2025
24/03/2025