Barkley Marathons finisher
Completed all five loops in 59:53:33, inside the 60-hour limit.
Source-checked athlete record · Updated Aug 17, 2026
Karel Sabbe
Barkley finisher, trail speed-record setter, and 2020 backyard world champion
Karel Sabbe is a Belgian ultrarunner whose record spans a Barkley Marathons finish, major long-trail speed records, and a backyard world title.
BelgiumRonseM35–39
The record so far
Karel Sabbe is a Belgian ultrarunner whose achievements cross unsupported race formats, organized ultras, and multi-week trail projects. In 2023, he became one of the small group of athletes to complete all five loops of the Barkley Marathons, finishing in 59:53:33.
Sabbe has set fastest-known-time benchmarks on the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Via Alpina, and Te Araroa. He also won the 2020 Backyard Ultra satellite world championship with 75 yards, a world-best distance at the time.
Defining performances
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Pacific Crest Trail speed record
Covered the route in 46 days, 12 hours, and 50 minutes. Aurelien Sanchez went faster in 2026, so the mark is a former supported record.
Backyard Ultra world champion
Won the satellite championship with 75 yards and a then-world-best distance.
Appalachian Trail speed record
Completed the trail in 41 days, 7 hours, and 39 minutes, still the supported record on the Fastest Known Time route board.
Performance history
| Date | Event | Performance | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTMB174 km mountain ultra | 25:09:57 | 52nd overall | View ↗ | |
| Te AraroaLong-trail speed recordThe athlete’s achievement record lists the year and elapsed time; January 1 is used as the season reference date. | 31d 19h 40m | Fastest known time | View ↗ | |
| Ultra-Trail Cape Town 100 Mile100-mile trail | 26:09:53 | 8th overall | View ↗ | |
| Barkley MarathonsFive-loop mountain ultra | 59:53:33 | Finisher · 3rd overall | View ↗ | |
| Backyard Ultra Satellite World Championship — BelgiumBackyard ultra | 75 yards · 502.950 km | Winner · then-world-best distance | View ↗ |
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