After the world’s deepest marathon, five runners set new world record for the highest

Five intrepid runners have just completed the challenge of a lifetime – the highest marathon in history to set a new Guinness World Record (subject to verification).

From the summit of Ojos del Salado, the world’s highest volcano at 6,893 metres, they descended through some of the planets most unforgiving terrain.

The thin air, freezing temperatures as low as -12°c (-30°c with windchill), and relentless winds tested every ounce of their strength and resolve, as they pushed themselves to complete 42.2km with just 44% of the oxygen at the summit (when compared with sea level).

Getting to the start line was a feat in itself, with the team spending nearly two weeks acclimatising and taking on a 12-hour overnight climb in ferocious winds before the run began.

This challenge was set up by learning and development company BecomingX, and builds on their recent success of organising the World’s Deepest Marathon, where two official world records were set 1,119 metres below sea level in a Swedish mine.

‘Moving at that altitude is so draining’

Running through the night down towards lower altitudes, the group had to make sure they were changing kit appropriately throughout and staying hydrated – none of which would have been possible without an incredible support team of climbers and guides who trekked up the volcano too, and drove behind the runners in their range of offroad Ford vehicles to provide critical aid throughout.

Given the challenges faced by the team throughout the day, they decided to cross the finish line in two small groups. BecomingX CEO Paul Gurney, adventurer and TV personality Aldo Kane and ultra-endurance athlete Mark Beaumont crossed the line first at 5.01am after 16 hours and 34 minutes. Combined with the 12-hour overnight climb to the start line they had been on the move for over 28 hours, with no sleep for over 48 hours and minimal food.

In the second group South African adventurer Sibusiso Vilane and ultra-runner Sara Storey crossed at 6.30am.

Gurney said afterwards: “This event has to be one of the toughest on Earth, pushing people to the absolute limits of human
performance. This challenge was about showing what’s possible when people commit fully to a goal, however challenging it may seem.

And Kane added: “That was one of the toughest things I have ever done in my life. We had such incredibly difficult
conditions to climb Ojos del Salado before we’d even started the marathon. Even moving at that altitude is so draining.

“I can’t explain how much it took out of me and the team to pull that off, but I am so proud to have been part of this and get a world record in the process.”

What was the previous record?

The previous title for the highest marathon was widely acknowledged to gave been held by the Everest Marathon.

That takes place on May 29 each year from Mt. Everest Base Camp, and celebrates the historic Everest ascent by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953.

Participants climb Kala Patthar, a view spot at 5,545m, before the race before heading through Gorakshep and head down towards Dingboche where runners will make a loop at Bibre. From there, the tracks will descend to Namche via Kyanjuma.

The height of Everest Base Camp is 5,364m and another contender until now had been the Ladakh Marathon which is held in Leh, a town in the Indian Union Territory of Ladakh.

It claimed to be the highest marathon in the world, held at a height of 11,500 to 17,618 feet (3,505 to 5,370 m).

But after this latest addition – at more than 1,500m higher than both, that particular dispute is over.