This race is unlike any other: entry is by written application and a $1.60 fee, with only about 40 participants selected, often with condolences from the race director. Set in the rugged Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee, the course features brutal landscapes and challenging conditions, requiring runners to complete five 20-mile loops. Completing just three laps earns the title of 'fun run,' while the total elevation gain is equivalent to two ascents of Mount Everest. Since its inception in 1986, only 15 individuals have finished the race. This remarkable publication honors their extraordinary feats. Previously known only to a select few, the race has gained mythical status with the rise of trail running and its exclusivity. Ultrarunning photographer Alexis Berg and L'Equipe journalist Aurelien Delfosse document these remarkable athletes—many of whom remain unknown in mainstream sports—who have conquered the race. Their journey took them across the U.S., from New Hampshire to Oregon, capturing breathtaking photographs and conducting in-depth interviews with finishers. The stories shared within inspire awe, respect, and contemplation about the limits of the human spirit.
