Watch the full new inov-8 film which follows the British ultra-runner's attempt to become the notorious event's first-ever female finisher

The Barkley Marathons is among the world’s toughest ultra-distance races. Only 15 runners have completed the full 100-plus miles since it was first staged in 1986. This year saw the UK’s Nicky Spinks attempt to become the first-ever female finisher.

Made famous by a 2014 Netflix documentary, the Barkley Marathons sees runners self-navigate their way around an unmarked course, tearing pages from hidden books as they go and returning them to enigmatic event organiser, Laz Lake.

Staged in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, USA, the course features five laps, each involving around 10,000ft of brutally-steep, obstacle-laden, muddy mountain ascent through thick woodland and viscous undergrowth.

A new film by inov-8 – Last Women Standing: The Barkley Marathons 2019 – follows Spinks as the 52-year-old ultra-running record-holder and breast cancer survivor tackles one of the world’s most notorious and secretive sporting events.

"The Barkleys is a relentless race of ups, downs and where the hells!" – Nicky Spinks

During the film, Spinks – who earlier this year became the first person to complete a 122-mile Double Paddy Buckley Round in the Welsh mountains – forms an allegiance with fellow female ultra-runner Stephanie Case, from Canada. Can the two women beat the Barkley Marathons?

» Spinks is an inov-8 ambassador and wore the brand’s Graphene-Grip MUDCLAW G 260 shoes for the Barkley Marathons

» This post was updated on November 22 to include the full film, replacing the trailer

» Look out for an interview with Spinks in the forthcoming AW ultra-running guide