Jasmin Paris Makes History as First Woman to Complete Grueling Barkley Marathons
In a remarkable display of endurance and determination, Jasmin Paris, a 40-year-old ultrarunner from Scotland, became the first woman to finish the Barkley Marathons, a grueling 100-mile footrace through rugged terrain in rural Tennessee. The race, which must be completed in under 60 hours, has only seen 20 finishers since it was extended to 100 miles in 1989.
Paris crossed the finish line with just one minute and 39 seconds to spare, joining the ranks of the elite few who have conquered the Barkley. Out of 40 entrants this year, she was one of only five to finish the challenging course, which consists of five roughly 20-mile laps.
After pushing her body to the limit, Paris collapsed at the finish line, her legs covered in cuts and scratches from the treacherous terrain. Reflecting on her experience, she described the final moments of the race as intense, with every fiber of her body urging her to keep going.
This was not Paris’s first attempt at the Barkley Marathons. She had previously tried in 2022 and 2023, becoming the first woman to reach the fourth lap since 2001. Drawing on her past experiences, she felt more confident and prepared going into the race this year.
Paris is no stranger to extreme challenges. In 2019, she made history by winning the Montane Spine Race, a 268-mile ultramarathon in the UK, despite having to stop at checkpoints to pump breast milk for her newborn. Her incredible feats of endurance have solidified her reputation as a formidable athlete in the world of ultrarunning.
The Barkley Marathons, founded in 1986 by Gary Cantrell, are shrouded in mystery and challenge. The race route, which can change every year, takes runners through pathless terrain and includes the equivalent of 60,000 feet of ascent and descent, making it one of the toughest races in the world.
Participants must navigate the course without any path markers, relying on their memory and wits to find hidden books along the way. Each runner must tear out a page from the books to prove their progress to Cantrell, adding an extra layer of complexity to an already grueling race.
As Paris reflects on her historic achievement, she emphasizes the importance of pushing boundaries and testing one’s limits. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Barkley,” she said, “it’s that you never know what you are capable of until you try.” Her groundbreaking accomplishment serves as an inspiration to athletes everywhere, proving that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.
