The Most Hellish Marathon on Earth

The world's top ultrarunners fight to compete in the Barkley Marathons, an ever-shifting race designed by a madman to break their spirits through 100 miles of hellish Appalachian mountains. So far, only 14 people have completed it. [Image] [Image]( The Masochist's Marathon A man is begging on the side of a Tennessee mountain. He's crumpled on the ground, his clothes are soaking wet, and he's sucking air hard. His wife weeps as she huddles over him, her hands resting softly on his arm. Above them stands a bearded figure in a wide-brimmed hat and a worn-out oilskin duster. "I got all my pages!" pleads the man on the ground. His voice is shrill, hysterical. "I dropped down the wrong side of the mountain in the fog. I had to swim a river." He gasps for air again. "I got all my pages!" A small group of onlookers cover their mouths and stare. They look from the broken man on the ground to the inscrutable face of the bearded figure looming over him. "He got all his pages," repeats a voice in the crowd. "He got all his pages." [Read the Full Story]( [Image] [Image]( If You’re Criticizing Simone Biles, This Is the Company You Keep When Simone Biles withdrew from the gymnastics team finals at the Tokyo Games to focus on her mental health, we saw the usual crowd attack Biles from the comfort of their phones, either saying that she should've pushed through it, couldn't handle the pressure, or grossly accused her of having a victim complex. (Another refrain: Get rid of her if she doesn't want to be there.) Forget that Biles has done far more than most of us can hope to do for this country in five lifetimes—aside from her impossible achievements on the mat, Biles [continues to put pressure]( on USA Gymnastics to find resolve for victims of Larry Nassar's sexual abuse. That's all in addition to Biles reminding people that gymnastics isn't golf, tennis, hoops, YouTubing, political pundit-ing, whatever your hobby is—because if you have a slip of mind in what she does for a living, you might leave with a broken neck. Those who thought they had something to say still said it anyway. [Read the Full Story](  [Image]( 27 Coffee Table Books That Are as Cool and Stylish as You What does your [coffee table]( say about you? If it says, “I’m worthless at building IKEA furniture,” or, “I never remember to use a coaster,” you’re in trouble, and we can help. We’ve taken the liberty of rounding up some of our favorite reads from our own coffee tables, ranging from lavish, show-stopping books about fashion and [interior design]( to unassuming gems about city life and hot sauce. Whether your coffee table is a mid-century modern masterpiece or a secondhand joint, a curated selection of books will take it to the next level. Your guests will be striking up conversations about your passions in no time. [Read the Full Story]( [Image]( The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Is Here. These Are the 49 Best Deals to Shop Now. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is beloved by fans, first and foremost, because it's a kind of reverse approach to marking things down. Instead of offering discounts on old, out-of-season stock, the team at Nordstrom knocks a very respectable percentage off a bunch of brand-new merchandise. For the guys who can't wait to Really Start Dressin', that translates to a golden opportunity to stock up on fall-friendly pieces like jackets, overcoats, jeans, and boots. For the people who only care about making sure they're not naked and their clothes aren't falling apart when they step outside, it's the perfect time to stock up on basics like socks, underwear, tees, and everything else that doesn't necessarily get better with age. And, needless to say, the entire spectrum of shopping personalities between these two extremes is likely to find some discounted new arrival that piques some interest or raises an eyebrow (in a good way). [Read the Full Story](  [Image]( The 37 Best Books of 2021 (So Far) Summer may be winding down, but have no fear: there's still time to reach your summer reading goals. Whether you're looking to read more, read outdoors, or cross a big literary project off your list, the final push toward the finish line begins now—and we've got you covered with the very best books of the year. 2021 has so much to offer for your literary diet, meaning that even if you’re missing the normal rhythms of social life, you'll have plenty to keep your mind occupied. Our favorite works thus far come from authors both emerging and established, meditating on everything from life online to life in the intersections of identity. Set everywhere from the all-too-real world to the distant past, and even peering into the speculative future, these books offer escape, education, and spiritual enlargement—whatever you’re looking for. [Read the Full Story]( [Image]( Spoiled by Poems: James Salter Remembers Arriving at West Point The celebrated fiction writer flew over 100 combat missions for the Air Force before quitting to become a novelist. In a remarkable essay from 1992, he recalls his time as a cadet. [Read the Full Story](  Follow Us       [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Notice/Notice at Collection](  esquire.com ©2021 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019   Â