Jasmin Paris Makes History First Woman to Conquer the Brutal 100-Mile Barkley Marathons, Collapses from Exhaustion
In a remarkable feat of endurance and willpower, Jasmin Paris, a 40-year-old British athlete, became the first woman to cross the finish line of the notoriously grueling Barkley Marathons in Tennessee. Known for its treacherous terrain, bizarre rules, and intentionally harsh conditions, the race has become a legend in the world of ultramarathons. Paris completed the race with just seconds to spare before the 60-hour deadline, joining the elite group of only 19 finishers since the race began in 1986.
The Barkley Marathons, set in the wilds of Frozen Head State Park, is a test of human limits, with a course that’s estimated to be between 100-130 miles and includes elevation changes equivalent to climbing Mount Everest twice. The race is infamous for its sadistic twist; participants must navigate the course with minimal guidance, finding hidden pages in the wilderness to prove their journey.
The race’s creator, Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell, designed the marathon to be almost impossible, inspired by the escape route of James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., who managed to cover only 12 miles in 54.5 hours in the same mountains.
Paris’s victory is not just a personal triumph but a monumental moment in the history of the Barkley Marathons. Her journey to the finish line was fraught with the race’s unique challenges, from the unpredictable start time dictated by Cantrell’s smoking habit to the undercooked meat served to runners before the race, intended to throw them off balance. The race’s obscure application process, the conch shell warning, and the unconventional “starting gun” of a lit cigarette add to the mystique and mental torture of the event.
Despite the adversities, Paris’s determination and previous accomplishments in the world of ultrarunning, including records in the Bob Graham and Ramsay Rounds, positioned her as a formidable contender. Her completion of the Barkley Marathons on her third attempt, after becoming the first woman to finish four loops last year, underscores her extraordinary resilience and capability.
As word of Paris’s historic finish spread, the running community and beyond celebrated her achievement as one of the greatest in ultramarathon history. Photographer David Miller, who captured the moment of victory, described the scene at the finish line as one of intense anticipation, followed by jubilation as Paris emerged from the wilderness, her triumph redefining the limits of endurance running.
Paris’s victory at the Barkley Marathons, against all odds and the race’s notorious design for failure, is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for perseverance and the power of hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.