Justin Barbu | ES 100 Redemption and Friendship

Race morning started as usual for me with eagerness, excitement, and a little nervousness, especially this being my second attempt at this beastly race. I came more prepared this year having run Hyner 50k and Worlds End 100k and beefed up training. Stan the Man Roberts showed up and got me in and out of the aid stations quickly and smoothly. And I found the perfect pacer from the ES 100 pacer FB page, Kent Thompson.

And we're off...as we were sent off from the start, the blessings were abound, I was running with my friend Mike D. down the first road portion and into Little Pine Campground where we caught up to Kyle Benjamin and headed up the steps and onto the trail

to begin our journey around this magnificent and demanding course in the PA Wilds. From there we began the first climbs of the over 20,000 feet of elevation gain. Over the course of the next 43.3 miles to the Hyner Aid Station, Kyle and I maintained a 30hr-ish pace while managing some intensely technical trails and trading countless stories. We arrived in Hyner just after 5pm and just off the 30hr pace. Up to this point the race had been hot and humid with the mitigating factor being ice bandanas. The heat and exertion was also causing me to dry heave every so often (36) I think Kent said. But between the humidity, ice bandanas, and sweat my feet quickly turned south and had wrinkled from the developing trench foot. The amazing Dr. Bill fixed up my feet and off I went with my pacer extraordinaire Kent Thompson.

From Hyner we climbed out and had a good pace going in into Tomb Flats and forded the creek in my socks for some sweet relief on the feet and legs. At this point we were slightly behind the 30hr pace but foot care was paramount. *Somewhere along the way near dusk, on the way to Tomb, (if I'm remembering correctly) I took a step and there was a rattle beside me which sent me flying up and forward in a hilarious jump away from the sound. Kent then found our little friend's eyes in the brush before it slinked away. The heaves continued. During this stretch is where I started caffeine (coke and coffee).

As we made our way out of Tomb Flats, I reminisced about last year (2025) and the spot where the sweepers caught my pacer and I (about 2 miles up). Passing that spot was a great boost in moral and we pushed on to Blackwell as daylight came. Foot care again, caffeine (coffee) and off to Sky Top!

Sky Top at mile 85.4 was another incredible moment as there were at least 5 other Marines at the aid station, Ooorahh! I had a breakfast beer with a fellow Marine, then Kent and I pushed on to Barrens. At this point, we were power hiking most of the sections, as it was just more economical than trying to run our way through the technical sections, while we took advantage of downhill and flatter sections for some running.

Barrens...another amazing aid station! Louis (pardon the spelling bro) fixed up my feet for the final 10 mile push, Kent had to help push my legs down so I could get my shoes on, since my quads were destroyed. The grind was on! Watered up at Hackett and set ourselves to the task of descending to the finish.

This last 3.8 mile section is the last thing your quads want at the end but we picked our way down, past the 2 BIG black rattlers at the dens and finally came out of the wilds onto the road. As Kent and I hit the grass of the park, I gave him a fist bump and sprinted my way to the finish for a couple of Tiggery skips before ringing the bell and being caught by Kyle for a finish hug!!! We finished at 34:31:30 with blessings from above 🙏🏻

I was overcome by all the feels with so much closure coming from this finish that I fell to my knees for what seemed like for ever. After I regained my faculties, Stan, Kent, Kyle, and I grabbed a great post race photo!

I cannot speak highly enough about the good men that joined me on this journey. They are three of the best guys I have come to know and am blessed to call them friends. Stan Roberts, Kent Thompson, and Kyle Benjamin.

To conclude...for the incredible organization and people that put on this event. I'm thankful, grateful, and blessed to have been able to participate and finish. The level of dedication and commitment to every aspect of getting all these crazy people through 103 miles of the PA wilds is nothing short of epic! 🙏🏻 Thank you!