Ultrarunner and data scientist John Kelly sits down with Doc to talk some serious Type II Fun. Settle in and buckle up as this eight-time Barkley Marathon competitor shares the highs and lows of this year's Barkley and his 35 days on the Appalachian Trail. Along the way, you'll hear about in-line filters, lost compasses, four guys in a privy, Scottish Hill-Runners, payphones, Ranger hitches, and all the tea on his Barkley and AT experiences. Epic. (This is Part II. Be sure to listen to Part I.)

Show Notes

In this episode, Doc talks with John Kelly, eight-time Barkley Marathons competitor. They discuss his experiences with the peculiar and challenging ultra-marathon, the race’s unique and arbitrary rules, and his recent participation in the 2025 event. The conversation covers the race dynamics, the intriguing stories of other participants, and the race's increased difficulty level. John shares his thoughts on the mental and physical demands of the Barkley Marathons, his attempts at the Appalachian Trail FKT (Fastest Known Time), and his future plans. They also touch on John’s preparation hacks and advice for ultra-runners and hikers alike.


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