Jasmin Paris, renowned for becoming the first woman to finish the iconic Barkley Marathons earlier this year, recently received an Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her contributions to fell and long-distance running. Receiving the honor from Prince William at Windsor Castle, Paris emphasized how important female role models are in sports.
“You need to see it to believe itโs possible,” she said.
At 40, the Scotswoman from Gorebridge, Midlothian, has conquered some of the toughest races in the world. Earlier this year, Paris made history by becoming the first woman to complete the infamous 100-mile Barkley Marathons in Tennessee with just 99 seconds left before the 60-hour cutoff.
“It feels like Iโm receiving this not just for myself but for women everywhere who are pushing boundaries and breaking glass ceilings,” she said.
Paris is also passionate about making sports more accessible for women and girls. She advocates for more media coverage of womenโs sports, improved facilities, and practical support like period products and pregnancy deferrals in races. “Itโs about role models, equal visibility, and giving womenโs sports the same funding and attention as menโs,” she added.
During her conversation with Prince William, they discussed running, and Paris offered him a race suggestionโthe Wasdale Horseshoe Fell Race, a 23-mile classic. Her piece of advice for beginners (including Prince William himself): focus on “little steps.”
Whether itโs a 100-mile race or just getting started, Paris says the key is to break it down into manageable parts.
“Even when Iโm running a 100-mile race, I donโt think about the whole thing, I just think about the next hill that Iโm climbing or the next descent that Iโm doing โ so you never overwhelm yourself with the whole picture. For the person thatโs starting out, I would say just get out there and make a start โ if you walk and then just run a few steps and walk again, youโll gradually find youโre running more.โ
Paris, a two-time winner of the British Fell Running Championships and former record-holder for both the Bob Graham and Ramsay Rounds, is also a senior lecturer in small animal medicine at the University of Edinburgh and a mother of two.