In a remarkable feat of endurance, British runner Jasmin Paris has made history by becoming the first woman ever to complete the legendary Barkley Marathons. The grueling race, known as one of the hardest and most brutal foot races in the world, saw Paris cross the finish line just 99 seconds before the 60-hour time limit elapsed.

The 2024 edition of the Barkley Marathons witnessed only five finishers out of the challenging field. Ukrainian athlete Ihor Verys claimed first place with an impressive time of 58 hours, 44 minutes, and 59 seconds. Americans John Kelly and Jared Campbell secured second and third place respectively, while Greig Hamilton from New Zealand finished fourth.

Keith Dunn, who attends the race and provides updates on X (formerly known as Twitter), captured the words of Verys, who suggested, "Maybe you should add a sixth loop," showcasing the race's extreme difficulty. Campbell, who completed the Barkley Marathons for the fourth time, described the new section as "brutal," referring to the demanding nature of the course.

Jasmin Paris's name has become synonymous with extraordinary athletic achievements. In 2019, she made headlines by winning the Spine Race, a 268-mile ultra-marathon, and smashing the previous record by a staggering 12 hours. Her victory in that race made her the first woman ever to claim the top spot.

The Barkley Marathons, notorious for its seemingly impossible challenges, comprise five loops of approximately 20 miles each, totaling between 100 to 130 miles. Runners must tackle steep inclines, unforgiving terrain, and navigate the indistinguishable route. Furthermore, participants are deprived of aid stations, phones, and GPS devices, relying solely on their own navigation skills.

Athletes participating in the Barkley Marathons encounter unique unmanned checkpoints, each housing a paperback book. To prove their progress, runners must rip out a page corresponding to their bib number at each checkpoint and present them at the end of each loop.

The race's formidable reputation is evident in its history, with no finishers recorded between 2017 and 2023, resulting in a dropout rate of 99%. Paris's historic achievement not only highlights her exceptional endurance but also showcases the resilience and determination required to conquer one of the world's toughest foot races.

As the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathons, Jasmin Paris has undoubtedly secured her place in the annals of athletic history, inspiring future generations of trail runners around the world.