Do Not Block Gate: The 2024 Barkley Marathons

by David Miller (Photographer)

The low hum of anxious mumbling is shattered by a cry – she’s coming! In the distance, the vibrant red top of Jasmin Paris emerges from the browns and greys of the forest with singular determination and only the yellow gate in her sights. Great cheers go up and celebration bursts into life. The first woman to ever complete the Barkley Marathons. A new chapter has just been written in the history of long-distance running.

The 2024 Barkley Marathons is one that will never be forgotten. In Do Not Block Gate, award-winning sports photographer David Miller takes you on a visual journey through the thorny undergrowth of Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee to witness the pain, the suffering, the tears and the triumphs of one of the most iconic editions of the world’s most infamous race.

Shot exclusively in monochrome using a Leica Q2 Monochrom, this curated collection of 200 images conveys the atmosphere and the spirit of the Barkley Marathons. David’s image of Jasmin Paris slumped under the famous gate – blocking the gate – will go down in history as one of the most iconic sport photographs of all time.

160 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Alix A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved following the Barkley Marathon over the last however many years, with just the main access being through Keith’s Twitter feed (he’s now moved over to BlueSky) and it adds to the mystery and the joy of the supporting process, the rest is left to your imagination and then added to by images released following the event.

This book however takes it to a new level. I was absolutely hooked by the 2024 event, and this book is perfect for bringing the event to life and remembering what it was like watching the tweets come in and willing the finishers along and the magic of the awesome finish by Jasmin. The photos capture the event perfectly. I really enjoyed looking through the pictures, watching the event unfold; the emotions captured on faces and the scene set and shared. I love the fact the photos are all in black and white, and the forward, introduction and cover blurb are all the words that are needed.

A must if you are into Barkley. Fabulous photos, and thank you for sharing the event, David.

[Lina Arthur]

Iconic photography, well-presented, and giving a never-before-seen insight into the Barkley Marathons and a year like no other.

The 2024 Barkley Marathons was a rendition of this race like no other. Five finishers for the first time in history, and Jasmin Paris the first woman to ever complete the course.
This book is probably worth having just for the iconic image of Jasmin slumped beneath the eponymous gate, but David Miller has taken a journalistic approach, documenting in black and white the raw challenge of this iconic event, creating a visual diary.

It is perhaps worth noting that the image captions are listed at the end of the book in an "Index" which is actually a list in page order, so one must flick to the back to identify what one is seeing. This slightly detracts from the immersion experience which the book would otherwise provide, and aims this book more at those who are already afficionados of the Barkley.

[Neil S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A photo montage which perfectly captures the arduous nature of a famous race. The book is a series of B&W images which tell the story of this brutal race by following the Barkley Marathon in 2024. After a scene setting (sorry for the pun), foreword and introduction it's onto the images. David Miller manages to capture the nature and raw scenery of this testing race route, the characters who organise and support the runners and of course the struggles of the competitors, enduring as they do the toughest of challenges. The medium of B&W is perfectly suited to the bleak forest scenes and seems to convey the obvious pain that many of the athletes must be suffering. Included is that iconic image of Jasmin Paris just as she crosses the finish line becoming the first woman to complete the course. An awesome performance and a fitting book.

[Mathew Bourne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are into following Ultras, the Barkley Marathon is unique, especially if you know its history and unforgiveness of trying to complete it within the allotted time, as well as having no woman ever completing it – until Jasmine Paris and her last gasp success to write her name into the history books.

David Miller’s book, through his B&W photographs, detail this epic race and take you on a tour of the race, from those who help, the town made famous by it, but also the competitors and their ultimate highs and lows. The images are superb, bringing out the extremities of the race, as you only get messages from Keith to understand what is happening, so to see the photographs, brings the race alive.

The only downside for me, would be to have the Index with each picture so I could read the text as the story develops through the photos, otherwise, a definite treat.

[Chloe Shuttlewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of beautiful and raw images that capture this iconic race. David Miller has managed to record all the small moments that make up a race; moments that would perhaps otherwise go unnoticed, such as the participants getting ready before the race, sitting together planning; then the competitors resting or eating during the race, and also going 'behind the scenes' with the organisers to show the sheer level of effort that the organisers, the participants and their supporters put in during the race. It really is these small, usually unseen moments that capture the essence of the Barkley, and this book makes you feel a part of the event as if you were there. This is a beautifully produced book which looks stunning, and would make a great gift for runners or anyone into adventure.

[pete munford · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A picture is worth a thousand words” they say. In this case many more, beautifully illustrating one of the most challenging ultra-endurance events on the planet. The Barkley Marathons are only updated during the event by one individual occasionally posting on social media, few spectators are present and even then only permitted to access certain areas. The race is an enigma in many respects, and those few souls who complete it attain legendary status amongst the endurance community.

David Miller captures the struggles and successes of the 2024 event in classic monochromatic journalistic style. If you like human endurance and quality imagery, this is the book for you. It is a book which needs few words, the images speak for themselves.

[Rachel Fryer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photographs are a lovely black and white documentary style. There are no accompanying words until an image of Jasmin Paris at the end (first female finisher of this race in it's history so far) and the index. I don't think it needed more words, I enjoyed just looking through the images start to finish, and following the story/experiencing the race atmosphere from small details, from pre-race, during, to the finish. It's a lovely way to get insight into the race and remember the year that will be so important to so many.

[Jim Hulbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Some beautiful black and white photography really tells the story of the 2024 race. Its great that of all the races this seminal one was the one chosen to photograph. It would be a great gift for anyone already knowledgeable about the race as the book contains very little context, which would be great for any future editions. But even without any knowledge it would be a great gift to peruse and has some lovely images.

[Tal Taran · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Most parts of my mind had abandoned me."

A beautifully collected visual diary of the 2024 Barkley Marathons.

[Dennis Rieke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful black and white photos that try to capture the beauty and pain and insanity of the 2024 Barkley marathons. Well done!

[Dagautier · Rating 5 out of 5]

La Barkley pure 🤍🖤
🏃🏽‍♂️‍➡️👹