The Endurance Artist
Book review by Antonio Codina
Very few people have had as much influence on the sport of ultrarunning as Gary Cantrell, the enigmatic race director also known as Lazarus Lake, or simply Laz. Although he is an unassuming accountant from rural Tennessee, he revolutionised the sport of ultrarunning with his unconventional races. As an amateur ultrarunner and avid follower of his work, I nearly devoured this book.
In case you’ve never heard of Laz, he is the race director behind the secretive Barkley Marathons, considered to be the hardest footrace in the world — and the now-global phenomenon of the Backyard Ultra, a race with virtually no finish, now organised in over 500 venues across 61 countries.
In the Barkley Marathons, runners must complete five loops around the brutal terrain of Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. They navigate the route with a map and compass, and to prove completion, they must find books scattered throughout the forest and tear out the page corresponding to their race number. The Barkley is designed to be nearly impossible, with a set of rules and variables that challenge both the mind and body. The route is so difficult that only 20 people have finished it in its 39-year history.
The Backyard Ultra, by contrast, could not be simpler. Runners must complete a 4.16-mile circuit every hour until only one runner remains. The format means runners cover 100 miles every 24 hours. The current record stands at 119 hours, set by Phil Gore at the Dead Cow Gully event in Australia. As Gary is quoted in the book: while Barkley is man versus the course, the Backyard Ultra is man versus himself.
As the title suggests, this is not just Gary’s biography. The book moves between his life, the history of both races, and the 2023 editions of the Barkley Marathons and Big’s Backyard Ultra. Jared Beasley, a journalist who has written for The New York Times and Runner’s World among others, is a skilful storyteller. He guides the reader through these intertwined narratives, revealing the events that shaped Gary Cantrell’s personality and his ability to create some of the most extreme endurance events. Covering the races as a journalist gave Beasley the opportunity to speak with Laz, learn about his life, and interview those close to him. He gradually builds a vivid portrait of Laz’s life and persona. At the same time, Jared introduces the history and concept of both races — and the world of endurance running — in a way that even non-runners can follow and enjoy.
The book is divided into four distinct parts. In the first, Jared describes how he obtained a press pass to cover both races in 2023. In parallel, we learn about Laz’s early race organising efforts in the late ’70s. Ultrarunning events were emerging across the US, but none near Tennessee, so he decided to create his own. The Strolling Jim race, first held in 1979, is still going strong 45 years later.
In the second part, the author is at Frozen Head State Park covering the 2023 Barkley Marathons. He describes the race loop by loop, while weaving in the history of the event and episodes from Laz’s life.
The final two parts focus on the Backyard Ultra. The original race, Big’s Backyard Ultra, began on a trail Laz built in his own backyard. It was named after his rescue dog, Big, whom Laz adopted after he’d been abandoned and wounded. Big’s story is deeply entwined with the race and is told in detail in this section.
Jared concludes the book with the 2023 edition of Big’s Backyard Ultra. Lap after lap, some of the world’s best runners continue until they either choose not to start the next lap or fall asleep mid-race. He speaks with Laz and others in the camp, capturing the atmosphere and energy in vivid detail. It’s a race where speed can be your downfall, and where the oldest and slowest may triumph — as happened when Harvey Lewis was the last runner standing after 108 laps, or 450 miles, over nearly five days.
This is a truly brilliant book. Even if you’re not a runner, you’ll discover a fascinating story of sport and human endurance. Written in a beautiful style, it’s a joy to read and a fitting homage to Gary Cantrell.
Links
Laz Cantrell Information about Laz’s events
Jared Beasley jaredbeasleyny.com.