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RUN247 / Running News / Trail Running News / Jasmin Paris on Barkley Marathons finale: โ€œI thought Iโ€™ll either pass out or Iโ€™ll finishโ€

Jasmin Paris on Barkley Marathons finale: โ€œI thought Iโ€™ll either pass out or Iโ€™ll finishโ€

Jonathan Turner
News Director
Updated on

Jasmin Parisโ€˜ wonderful achievement of becoming the first woman to ever finish the infamous Barkley Marathons has made headlines around the world since she reached the finish line on Friday evening.

Many have labelled it as the greatest ultrarunning achievement of all time.

And adding to the magnitude and drama was the fact that it was so desperately close โ€“ she had just 99 seconds to spare before the 60-hour cut-off point, after a race which had featured as much elevation as climbing and descending Mount Everest twice.

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โ€˜Everything was screaming for oxygenโ€™

It all meant a desperate sprint โ€“ if thatโ€™s even possible after 100 miles โ€“ for the line before slumping to the ground in sheer exhaustion.

And speaking afterwards to the Singletrack podcast, with her voice clearly showing the effects of what sheโ€™d been through, she explained what had been running through her mind in those closing stages.

She said: โ€œI think I was just telling myself โ€˜if you donโ€™t finish it now, youโ€™ll have to do it againโ€™.

โ€œI was channelling all that effortโ€ฆ and I couldnโ€™t believe I was still going.

โ€œEverything was screaming for oxygen and I was just making it go harder and harder.

And then I guess I thought Iโ€™ll either pass out or Iโ€™ll finish.

โ€œAnd then I got to the gate and it was really helpful and amazing having everyone cheer me in.โ€

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โ€˜Believe in yourselfโ€™

Asked if there was a message she would like to share, she added: โ€œI guess Iโ€™d say thank you for following me and cheering me on.

โ€œAnd whatever adventure you have, to believe in yourself and be willing to take some risks and give it a go.

โ€œI had to come back three times โ€“ I believed that it was possible. Itโ€™s worth putting the effort in if itโ€™s something you really want.โ€

Jasmin Paris climbing Barkley Marathons loop three 2023 photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram
Jasmin Paris at the Barkley Marathons [Photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram]

โ€˜It hasnโ€™t really sunk inโ€™

And back home in Britain the feat has been very much picked up by the BBC. It was the most read story on their website on Saturday and featured on the main news that night along with a video of the finish and an explanation of just what the Barkley entails and why itโ€™s so tough.

By now having lost her voice, Jasmin was unable to speak but told Sundayโ€™s BBC Breakfast by text message that she was โ€œoverjoyedโ€ to have finished the race.

She added: โ€œIt still hasnโ€™t really sunk in that Iโ€™ve finally done it.

โ€œThis year I had a strong feeling in the months of training and run up to the race that I could do it.

โ€œThose final moments have redefined for me what I am capable of.โ€

And itโ€™s not just the BBC but countless other huge media outlets who have grasped the significance of Parisโ€™ achievement, including the New York Timesโ€ฆ

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.  

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