Jasmin Paris made history by becoming the first woman to finish the notoriously difficult Barkley Marathons. The event, characterized by its 100-mile (approximately 160.9 km) length and 16,500 meters of elevation gain, took place in the rugged terrain known for challenging even the most seasoned athletes. Paris, who works as a senior veterinary lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, completed the race just 99 seconds before the cutoff time.

The Barkley Marathons have become infamous since their inception in 1989 for the extreme challenge they pose, with only 20 people having completed the course before Paris. The terrain features steep slopes and is littered with brambles and other obstacles that add to the difficulty.

Throughout the race, Paris experienced significant physical and mental challenges, including sleep deprivation and hallucinations, where she imagined seeing people and animals that were not there. Despite these challenges, Paris sustained herself with a diet that included bananas, pasta, and cheese sandwiches, and credited her rigorous training regime, which consisted of early morning runs and strength training sessions, for her success.

Paris is no stranger to endurance challenges, having won the 268-mile Montane Spine Race in 2019. She describes her motivation as a desire to test her limits and learn more about herself through these physically demanding experiences. Paris expressed hope that her achievements would encourage others to pursue their own goals and passions.

Looking forward, Paris is preparing for her next ultramarathon challenge, the Scottish Island Peaks race, further demonstrating her dedication to the sport and her pursuit of personal growth through extreme physical challenges.