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.
โEverything was screaming for oxygenโ
It all meant a desperate sprint โ if thatโs 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 sheโd been through, she explained what had been running through her mind in those closing stages.
She said: โI think I was just telling myself โif you donโt finish it now, youโll have to do it againโ.
โI was channelling all that effortโฆ and I couldnโt believe I was still going.
โEverything was screaming for oxygen and I was just making it go harder and harder.
And then I guess I thought Iโll either pass out or Iโll finish.
โAnd then I got to the gate and it was really helpful and amazing having everyone cheer me in.โ
โBelieve in yourselfโ
Asked if there was a message she would like to share, she added: โI guess Iโd say thank you for following me and cheering me on.
โAnd whatever adventure you have, to believe in yourself and be willing to take some risks and give it a go.
โI had to come back three times โ I believed that it was possible. Itโs worth putting the effort in if itโs something you really want.โ

โIt hasnโt 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 itโs so tough.
By now having lost her voice, Jasmin was unable to speak but told Sundayโs BBC Breakfast by text message that she was โoverjoyedโ to have finished the race.
She added: โIt still hasnโt really sunk in that Iโve finally done it.
โThis year I had a strong feeling in the months of training and run up to the race that I could do it.
โThose final moments have redefined for me what I am capable of.โ
And itโs not just the BBC but countless other huge media outlets who have grasped the significance of Parisโ achievement, including the New York Timesโฆ