In the Spell of the Barkley cover art

In the Spell of the Barkley

Unravelling the Mystery of the World's Toughest Ultramarathon

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In the Spell of the Barkley

By: Michiel Panhuysen
Narrated by: Rupert Holliday-Evans
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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents In the Spell of the Barkley by Michiel Panhuysen, read by Rupert Holliday-Evans.

'A wonderful, compelling read'
Vassos Alexander, radio presenter and ultrarunner

Welcome to the Barkley Marathons, a fever dream of an ultra event, inspired by a prison break, heralded by a conch blast, paid for in cigarettes and socks, and completed only by a select few. A race in which competitors haul themselves up mountains, through extreme weather conditions, beyond pain and exhaustion, mile after mile. Completed 60 miles? That’s just the fun run.

Journalist and ultrarunner Michiel Panhuysen is a multiple-time Barkley entrant, having fallen under the spell of this most enigmatic of races – and its presiding philosopher-genius organizer Lazarus Lake – in the early 2010s. On each occasion, the Barkley won. The Barkley nearly always wins.

In the Spell of the Barkley is a story of sporting obsession, exploring what drives individuals to challenge themselves at the limits of what is possible – and what it takes to succeed.

©2023 Michiel Panhuysen (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Extreme Sports Running & Jogging Sports Inspiring Thought-Provoking Sports Running Biography

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All stars
Most relevant
Enjoyed the narration and the story, and how it links to different people’s journeys. Would listen again

Magical ultra story

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Well written and narrated. A fascinating insight into the Berkeley Marathon. Proof that clinical insanity loves flogging itself.

Excellent Listen

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I liked it all,aside from the narrator doing "voices" of people. The narration didn't need that. otherwise I loved it

How fascinating

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As a whole Really enjoyed the whole story. The Barkley is a fascinating race . Was a nice surprise to have the same narrator from the Shantaram book 👏

Excellent insight to the Barkley

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the book gave a great overview from starting on the endurance journey, the sacrifices made and the rewards earned

a really good story of human endurance

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