Jasmin Paris makes history as first woman to conquer Grueling Barkley Marathons race

• Jasmin Paris, a British runner, has become the first woman to complete one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons.
• Paris completed the Barkley Marathons in Tennessee with just one minute and 39 seconds to spare of the 60-hour cut-off.
• The course, located at Frozen Head State Park, spans 100 miles, encompassing 60,000 feet of climb and descent.

In a historic achievement, a British runner has become the first woman to finish one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons. Jasmin Paris from Midlothian completed the Barkley Marathons in Tennessee with just one minute and 39 seconds to spare of the 60-hour cut-off.

Speaking to the news, she expressed being “overjoyed” and revealed that during training, she had a “strong feeling” that she could complete the race. Exhausted, she slumped to the ground after completing the race, which drew inspiration from a famous prison escape.

The course, located at Frozen Head State Park, changes annually but spans 100 miles, encompassing 60,000 feet of climb and descent—approximately twice the height of Mount Everest.

Since its extension to 100 miles in 1989, only 20 people have successfully reached the end of the race within the allotted 60 hours. Navigating through extreme and often pathless terrain, the 40-year-old vet persisted in running through the night.

Pictures taken at the race finish line on Friday revealed her legs scratched from pushing through sharp bushes and scrubbing in dense forest on steep slopes.

Having lost her voice from heavy breathing during the race, Jasmin was unable to speak but communicated via text message to BBC Breakfast that she was “overjoyed” to have completed it.

She said: “It still hasn’t sunk in that I’ve finally done it.

“This year I had a strong feeling in the months of training and run up to the race that I could do it.

“Those final moments have redefined for me what I am capable of.”

David Miller, a professional photographer at the race, informed the News Scotland that he had witnessed the “greatest ultra-marathon achievement of all time.” “There was a lot of anticipation at the finish line and three minutes before the 60-hour cut we heard shouting and a roar and it was people cheering Jasmin on.

“She was sprinting and giving it her all as there was no room for error because otherwise, she would not have cut off. “She touched the gate and collapsed in exhaustion. It was the best thing I have ever seen, it was unbelievable.

“I was very focused on trying to capture Jasmin and a moment in history but at the same time I could feel a tear behind the lens because it was such an emotional moment.”

The race, renowned for its physical gruel and peculiar traditions, is not only challenging but also unconventional. Each year, the course changes but typically consists of roughly five loops of 20 miles, with a strict limit of 35 participants allowed annually.

Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell and Karl Henn conceived the Barkley course.

The inspiration for the race struck when they learned about the 1977 escape of James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., from the nearby Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary.

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