MỹJasmin Paris today, March 23, became the first female athlete to conquer the Barkley Marathon in the 3-year history of this harsh ultra trail race.
Paris completed the race after 59 hours, 58 minutes and 21 seconds, only 99 seconds before COT (Cut-off time - the prescribed time the athletes must complete the race).
Paris finished at the Barkley Marathon amid cheers from the audience. Image: Howie Stern
She is one of five people recorded at the finish line of the 2024 Barkley Marathon. The remaining four include: Ihor Verys (58:44:59), John Kelly (59:15:38), Jared Campbell (59:30: 32) and Greig Hamilton (59:38:42).
Barkley Marathon is considered the toughest ultra trail on the planet, with a distance of 160 km, and a total cumulative gain of 19.200 m, held in Frozen Head National Park in Tennessee. Before 2024, only 17 athletes, all male, completed this race in 37 years. This year, five finishers is a record number, breaking the record of three runners completing last year.
Jared Campbell was the first person to complete the race four times. Ihor Verys conquered the first time participating. John Kelly is the second person to conquer the Barkley Marathon three times after Campbell, and Greig Hamilton finished for the first time after three participations.
From left are Greig Hamilton, Jared Campbell, Ihor Verys, Jasmin Paris and John Kelly - five athletes completing the 2024 Barkley Marathon. Photo: Howie Stern
To conquer the Barkley Marathon, runners must complete 5 laps, each 32 km, through the forests of the Cumberland Range. Paris, 40 years old, came to jogging quite late. She had a "Fun Run" at the Barkley Marathon in 2022 - the year no runner completed the race. To be certified as "Fun Run", runners only need to complete three laps within 40 hours.
Last year, Paris excited ultra trail fans by becoming the second woman to reach the fourth round, after Sue Johnston. But she finished this round 48 hours after the COT mark, so she was eliminated. The mother of two ended 2023 with a knee injury, which affected her training plans.
However, Paris was still lucky because her body was able to recover when she returned to Frozen Head this year. The female runner, who is a veterinarian, said she was supported by coaches Damian Hall and Kelly in the first four rounds. At the Barkley Marathon, runners ran in opposite directions on the fifth lap, so they had to fend for themselves.
The course of the Barkley Marathon is revised slightly each year, making it increasingly more difficult. The track does not have any trails. Runners will have to find their own way using a compass or map, and are not allowed to use phones or smart watches. Having allergies, scratches, slipping on slopes, being exposed to pouring rain or fog blocking the path has become a specialty of the tournament. Not stopping there, the organizers also increased the difficulty of the race by placing 9-13 books scattered along the forest. The athlete must find the book and tear off the page number corresponding to the bib number as proof that they have completed the round. If missing, they will be disqualified. After completing one round, the athlete will have their bib number changed and must continue to look for books.
Paris took a nap after completing the fourth of five laps of the Barkley Marathon 2024. Photo: BM100
Each year, the tournament only accepts about 40 athletes to participate. To be selected, runners must write an essay with the topic "why should I be chosen to participate in the tournament?" sent to the organizing committee. Those with the most impressive essays will enter the race for a fee of just over a dollar. Someone once bribed $1.000 to participate, but Cantrell flatly refused.
Thuy Hanh
