Search

RUN247 / Running News / Trail Running News / Tears and emotion from behind the lens when capturing Jasmin Paris’ iconic Barkley moment

Tears and emotion from behind the lens when capturing Jasmin Paris’ iconic Barkley moment

Jonathan Turner
News Director
Updated on

The photos of Jasmin Paris becoming the first woman to finish the infamous Barkley Marathons already look like becoming iconic sporting images.

She reached the famed yellow gate, which marks the end of the gruelling 100-mile test around Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee, with just 99 seconds to spare of the allotted 60 hours.

First slumped over the gate itself and then on the ground beside it, the sheer effort and willpower required was brutally evident.

Advertisement

‘She’s broken the cycle’

And David Miller, the award-winning photographer who we chatted to in the build-up to the Barkley, was right there to capture the moment – and witness something very special at the same time.

Many of David’s images feature on our Barkley coverage and speaking to BBC Scotland earlier today he called Paris’ feat the “greatest ultramarathon achievement of all time”.

Advertisement

No room for error

And he explained just how tense the atmosphere was on the ground as it went right down to the wire, saying: “There was a lot of anticipation at the finish line, and three minutes before the 60-hour cut-off, we heard shouting and a roar, and it was people cheering Jasmin on.

“She was sprinting and giving it her all as there was no room for error because otherwise she would not have made the cut-off.

“She touched the gate and collapsed in exhaustion. It was the best thing I have ever seen, it was unbelievable.

“Obviously I was very focussed on trying to capture Jasmin and a moment in history but at the same time I could feel a tear behind the lens because it was such an emotional moment.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  

Latest Running News

Kilian Jornet States of Elevation 2025
Kilian Jornet conquers the near impossible again with ‘States of Elevation’
Korir John wins Boston Marathon 2025 Photo credit: Boston Athletic Association / Boston Marathon
Chicago Marathon 2025: Start time, how to watch live and why world records could be at risk
Kilian Jornet States of Elevation Colorado section 2025
Kilian Jornet’s resting heart rate SOARS due to impact of ‘States of Elevation’
Jim Walmsley wins World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2025
World Mountain & Trail Running Championships 2025: Superstars Schide and Walmsley make it a USA double in Long Race
Trail World Championship 2025 women podium Alexandersson Alonso Lang
World Mountain & Trail Running Championships 2025: Tranchand and Alexandersson take Short Trail golds
trail running on your terms

Never miss out with our trail alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.

247 Endurance

The home of endurance sports

Share to...