Paris finishes the gruelling 100-mile ultramarathon with only 99 seconds to spare

British ultrarunner Jasmin Paris has achieved a historic feat by becoming the first woman ever to finish the renowned Barkley Marathon race in Tennessee. The 40-year-old athlete emerged victorious among five runners who completed this year’s gruelling event, consisting of five arduous 20-mile loops around Frozen Head State Park. Paris crossed the finish line with a remarkable time of 59 hours, 58 minutes, and 21 seconds, narrowly beating the 60-hour cut-off by a mere 99 seconds.

Paris, known for her previous triumphs such as winning the Montane Spine Race in 2019 and setting a course record, has etched her name in Barkley Marathon’s history alongside a select group of competitors who have conquered the challenge since its extension to 100 miles in 1989.

This year’s event witnessed Ihor Verys recording the fastest time, with the Canada-based Ukrainian runner completing the race in 58 hours, 44 minutes, and 59 seconds. American runners John Kelly and Jared Campbell also completed the race for the third and fourth time respectively, joined by New Zealand’s Greig Hamilton who also surpassed the cut-off time.

In a display of sportsmanship, Campbell offered Paris the opportunity to choose the direction for the final loop, a gesture appreciated by the remaining competitors as they prepared for the concluding stage of the race.

Paris, balancing her athletic pursuits with her roles as a veterinarian and research scientist in Edinburgh while also being a mother of two, initially competed in the Barkley Marathons in 2022, completing three loops. Despite facing challenges in previous attempts, Paris’s determination and resilience have solidified her status as a trailblazer in ultrarunning.

Often dubbed “the race that eats its young,” the Barkley Marathon is renowned for its unforgiving terrain, featuring an estimated 16,500 meters (54,000 feet) of vertical climb and descent. Created by Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell in 1986, the race remains a pinnacle of endurance and perseverance in the world of ultramarathons