Marcus began his endurance sports journey after losing over 40 lbs through trail running and weight lifting. In 2007, he signed up for his first off-road triathlon, XTERRA Uwharrie, and surprised himself by finishing 3rd overall in the Sport class. That moment kicked off what would become Speedy Lizard Racing, a name inspired by a nickname from his track-bike days and a growing passion for testing limits in wild places.
In 2015, a friend introduced him to the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship and Norway’s Rockman Swimrun. The idea of combining trail running and open-water swimming across wild landscapes felt like the perfect evolution. Since then, Marcus has taken part in more than 60 swimrun races, 79+ off-road triathlons, 18 adventure races, and countless trail and road events across the U.S., North America and Europe.
From 2008 to 2025, Marcus built one of the most accomplished resumes in off-road multisport. He’s a three-time USAT Off-Road National Champion (2013, 2016, 2017), an 7-time USAT All-American (2013–2019), and has represented Team USA at the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships in 2011, 2012, and 2015. Along the way, he’s earned multiple XTERRA wins (Clemson, Panther Creek, Whitewater), regional titles, and national podiums.
In swimrun, Marcus was part of the top American team to finish the ÖTILLÖ World Championship in 2015 and has since completed the legendary race four times. He’s earned Top American Team honors on three occasions, and in 2022 achieved a Top 10 Men’s Team finish. His very first swimrun was Rockman Swimrun in 2015, and he’s returned four more times, earning podium finishes in 2018 and 2022. In 2022, Marcus began volunteering to help mark the Rockman course, and in 2023, he was invited to join the team as co–race director, helping shape and deliver one of the most iconic and demanding courses in the sport.
Over the years, Marcus has raced alongside many fantastic partners, each bringing their own strengths, humor, and grit to the course, making every race not just a competition, but a shared adventure. With teammates and fellow Envol athletes, he’s earned wins and podiums at a wide range of swimrun events, including SwimRun NC, Swimrun Lake James, Juniskär Swimrun (Sweden), Casco Bay, Mackinac Island Swimrun, Whistler, Austin and many more.
Marcus is also an experienced adventure racer, with standout performances in 8- to 24-hour formats. He’s taken top 3 podum finishes at 1st at the Uwharrie 18-Hour, 1st at Long Creek Adventure Race, 2nd at the Oak Mountain 24-hr AR, and 3rd at the BEAR 24-hr AR, racing with top U.S. teams like Checkpoint Zero and Mountain Goat Adventures. Whether navigating by map and compass or paddling through the night, he thrives on the complexity and grit required in team-based endurance events.
Through it all, Marcus remains most passionate about helping others take the leap, whether it’s their first 10K or an international swimrun. As an Envol Coach, mentor, and proud ambassador for the sport, he hopes this site offers a glimpse into what’s possible when you get off the couch and onto the trails. If you’ve got questions or need a little push, he’s always happy to chat.
Name: Marcus Barton
- Sports: Swimrun, Triathlons, Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Road Running, Duathlons
- Hometown: Marion, AL
- Current Residence: Atlanta, GA
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“The goal of this site is simple: to share great race stories, connect with fellow athletes, and, hopefully, inspire a few people to start their own journey toward a healthier, more adventurous life.”
Speedy Lizard 