For the first time, a woman completes the most difficult race in the world

At Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee, a group of adventurers were preparing for a challenge that would push the limits of endurance and determination.

The Barkley Marathon is a race that, according to legend, "eats its young." You run five laps of difficult terrain, covering a total distance of at least 160 kilometres and 18,000 metres of elevation gain in 60 hours. GPS watches are prohibited and the only person who knows the exact course profile is race director Lazarus Lake.

This year, four runners went through the ordeal of the race, but everyone was waiting for the fifth person. British, Jasmin Paris, reached the finish line after 59:58:21 hours, becoming the first woman to complete this brutal race.

Paris, a 40-year-old veterinarian and mother of two, made history by completing a challenge that only 17 runners have completed since 1989. Her triumph is not only a personal achievement, but also an important moment for women in ultra sports.

"I feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I know it will be very difficult, maybe even impossible, but that's why I want to do it." She has tried before: In 2022 and 2023, she managed to complete three of the five laps in the required time of 40 hours. In the Barkley Marathon world, it's called a "fun run." 

Before this year's edition, a woman had never reached the fifth lap. There were also years in which none of the maximum 40 starters crossed the finish line or even completed the last lap. The fact that five runners achieved it this year is a record.

The Barkley Marathon has its roots in history. It was invented in 1986 by Gary Cantrell, pseudonym Lazarus Lake, and Karl Henn. The inspiration was James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., who escaped from the nearby Brushy Mountain State Prison and covered only 12 miles in 55 hours. Cantrell set out to create a race that would demonstrate that it was possible to run at least 100 miles.

Registration for the race is difficult and mysterious, just like the race itself. The rules are unconventional, from finding books along the route as proof you've completed a certain route, to no GPS watches or refreshment stations. Each runner must rely on their own navigation skills, endurance and determination.

Paris' triumph in the Barkley Marathon is not only proof of her steadfastness, but also a symbol of how far women have come in ultra sports. Her success shows that even in the most difficult challenges, women can triumph.

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This article was originally published on Onet Travel.