British Athlete Jasmin Paris made history this morning, becoming the first woman in history to begin the fifth loop at the famous Barkley Marathons in Frozen Head State Park, Tenessee.
In its 38 years, the Barkley Marathons has seen thousands begin its route, but only 17 athletes have finished the race. No woman has ever made it to the fifth and final loop until now.
The route follows five 20-mile loops through the state park, ascending more than 54,000 feet. Each loop begins and ends at the yellow gate, where support teams make camp. Those who complete three of the five loops are awarded ‘fun run’ finisher status.
However, the exact route changes yearly, and the lack of GPS makes it impossible for racers to get a full review before starting. Not to mention that there are no aid stations, with most of the route consisting of trails.
On route, competitors must find honesty books hidden around the course and tear out the page corresponding to their bib number (which changes each loop). If the runner fails to present the page from every book at the end of each loop, they are disqualified. Between nine and fourteen books have been hidden around the course, with the number changing annually.
Over the years, many incredible female athletes have taken on the race, including Nicky Spinks, Courtney Dauwalter, Amelia Boone, Liz Canty, Stephanie Case, Maggie Guteral, Nicki Rehn and Kaz Williams.
Jasmin Paris has improved her performance year after year at the Barkley Marathons. In 2022, she was the first woman in nine years to complete the ‘fun run’ status of 3 loops. Before her, it was Beverly Anderson-Abbs to complete the 3 loops in 2013.
Previous female athletes to achieve ‘fun run’ status include Suzi Thibeault (1991, 1994), Nancy Hamilton (1991, 1993), Sue Johnstone (2000, 2001) and Beverley Anderson Abbs (2012, 2013).
Last year, in 2023, Jasmin was only the second woman ever to start the fourth loop. However, she was timed out and unable to begin the last. Sue Johnstone previously started the fourth loop in 2001. This year, she has become the first woman to ever make it onto the first lap after finishing her fourth loop in 46:29:12.
This isn’t the first time we’ve witnessed Jasmin Paris achieve the impossible. In 2019, she won the Montane Winter Spine Race outright, solidifying a new course record for the time. Finishing in 83:12:23, Jasmin completed what is considered ‘Britain’s Most Brutal Footrace’ while expressing milk for her infant daughter.
With 60 hours to complete the course and Jasmin still out on her final lap, will she become the first female athlete in history to beat the Barkley Marathons – a race that has swallowed many an incredible athlete and spat them back out?
The finishers of the Barkley Marathons include:
1995: Mark Williams
2001: David Horton; Blake Wood
2003: Ted “Cave Dog” Keizer
2004: Mike Tilden; Jim Nelson
2008: Brian Robinson
2009: Andrew Thompson
2010: Jonathan Basham
2011: Brett Maune
2012: Brett Maune; Jared Campbell; John Fegyveresi
2013: Nick Hollon; Travis Wildeboer
2014: Jared Campbell
2016: Jared Campbell
2017: John Kelly
2023: John Kelly; Karel Saabe; Aurélien Sanchez
Out on the course with her, we have the highest amount of athletes ever to take on the fifth loop, including previous winners Jared Campbell and John Kelly, alongside Damian Hall, Greig Hamilton, Sebastien Raichon and Ukranian Ihor Verys.