From Vet to Ultramarathon Queen: A 99-Second Triumph
Jasmin Paris, a 40-year-old British veterinarian and mother of two, just made history as the first woman to conquer the Barkley Marathons – often called the world’s toughest footrace. With just 99 seconds to spare under the brutal 60-hour cutoff, she collapsed at the iconic yellow gate finish line, shouting: \"Every fiber of my body screamed at me to stop!\" 🏔️⏱️
Why This Race Is *Not* For the Faint-Hearted
🥾 160km distance with 60,000ft elevation (≈2x Mount Qomolangma!)
🌲 No marked trails, no aid stations (just 2 water spots)
💀 Only 20 finishers since 1989
Paris, who also works as a research scientist, had failed twice before. But this year, she joined an elite group of 5 finishers, proving resilience trumps youth in ultrarunning.
\"Barkley’s impossibility is what makes me want to run it,\" she said, still breathless post-race.
A Race Born From a Prison Break 🚨
Inspired by MLK assassin James Earl Ray’s 1977 escape, the Barkley requires runners to memorize unmarked routes. Want in? Submit a $1.60 fee + a heartfelt essay – plus a ‘letter of condolence’ if accepted! 🐚
