#17 – TO FINISH THE BARKLEY MARATHONS
This documentary offers an unprecedented look into the psyche of Karel Sabbe in his attempt to finish the legendary Barkley Marathons. As the first documentary focusing on a finisher, it unveils Sabbe’s mental fortitude and physical resilience in tackling the brutal course. Through intimate interviews and captivating footage, viewers gain invaluable insights into the mindset required to endure the grueling challenges of the Barkley, making this documentary a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the intersection of human determination and athletic prowess.
PACING THE PACIFIC
46 days. That might seem like a reasonable amount of time to try a new diet, read every day, or work out each morning. For Karel Sabbe, this is the amount of time he took to complete a supported run of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in record time, averaging over 50 miles a day, from Mexico to Canada. Karel’s ability to endure and overcome sufferfests is an experience that is unknowable to almost every other human. Yet, unlike most world-class athletes who exclusively train and compete for a living; Karel is—on the surface—an ordinary man. A husband, father, outdoor enthusiast, and a man with a day job. He schedules his runs around his appointments as a dentist, not around physio and nutrition experts’ recommendations. The beautiful thing about supported running records like this one is that Karel got to share this experience with his incredible crew, consisting of his wife, child, and closest friends. Karel’s gratitude for this opportunity is palpable throughout his journey; he even spends his last mile of trail reflecting on his favorite moments.
SOLACE
In the summer of 2021, ultrarunner Karel Sabbe ran the Via Alpina trail in just 30 days. the trail spans 2650 km and crosses 8 nations. The total elevation is 150.000 meters. That’s 17 Mount Everests. Karel Sabbe ran it in 30 days, averaging two marathons and 5.000 altimeters on a daily basis, he navigated the route 14 days faster than anybody else. As well as the Alps, Karel overcame sleep deprivation, illness and extreme weather. And he did it all with a camera crew in tow, documenting every step.
OUT THERE – A JOURNEY TO THE BARKLEY MARATHONS
The Barkley Marathons – one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons, has been held annually in the Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, since 1987. The race is so brutal that, since the inception of the race, only 15 people have managed to finish. Runners are to run five 20-mile loops, within a 60 hour time limit and with more than 20.000m of elevation change. The course is unmarked, no electronic devices are allowed and most of the race is off-trail. Out There – A journey to the Barkley Marathons is the story of Belgian ultrarunner Karel Sabbe, who holds the world records on two of the most epic trails in the world: the 4279km long Pacific Crest Trail and the 3500km long Appalachian Trail. How did setting these world records prepare Karel for a race as brutal as “the Barkley”? How did these adventures help Karel to find the necessary mindset to do well at this Spartan challenge? Out There is a story of persistence, endurance and a passion for the great outdoors, and the film inspires the audience to reconnect with nature and to find courage for personal challenges.