The Barkley Marathons is a race designed to break people. Over 100 miles of unmarked trails, soul-crushing elevation, dense Tennessee wilderness, and a ticking clock that rarely shows mercy. Since its inception in 1986, this absurdly brutal event has spit out thousands of hopefuls, leaving them battered, lost, and defeated.
But in March 2024, Jasmin Paris did the impossible.
With just 1 minute and 39 seconds to spare, she became the first woman in history to complete the Barkley Marathons. And now, her three-year journey to that finish is the subject of a new documentary: The Finisher.
Premiering on the Singletrack YouTube channel, The Finisher brings us behind the scenes of one of the most legendary endurance feats of all time.
The Barkley Marathons: A Race That Wants You to Fail
To understand just how insane Paris’ achievement is, you have to understand the Barkley Marathons.
This isn’t your friendly neighborhood ultramarathon. There are no aid stations, no clear trails, and definitely no one holding up encouraging signs. Instead, runners must navigate the unforgiving terrain of Frozen Head State Park using just a map and compass, tearing pages out of hidden books as proof they hit each checkpoint.
The race’s mastermind, Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell, loves watching runners crumble. And historically, they do—most don’t even complete a single loop (out of five). Since the race started, only about 20 people have ever finished.
Which is why, for decades, people debated whether a woman could ever complete the full course. Paris answered that question loud and clear.
Jasmin Paris: The Mom, The Vet, The Legend
Before she took on the Barkley Marathons, Jasmin Paris was already rewriting the record books.
- In 2019, she won the Montane Spine Race, a 268-mile battle along the Pennine Way, smashing the record by 12 hours—while also pumping breast milk at aid stations.
- She’s a mother of two, a full-time veterinarian, and somehow still finds time to train for races most people wouldn’t even dream of attempting.
Her 2024 Barkley finish wasn’t a fluke—it was the result of three years of relentless determination, strategy, and sheer willpower.
And that’s exactly what The Finisher dives into.
The Documentary: Inside the Madness
Directed by Finn Melanson and produced by Camp Jewel, The Finisher follows Paris’ entire Barkley journey, from her first attempt in 2022 to that nail-biting, seconds-left-on-the-clock finish in 2024.
Featuring insights from Barkley legends like:
- Lazarus Lake (the race’s mastermind)
- Jared Campbell (a three-time finisher)
- Courtney Dauwalter (ultrarunning royalty)
- Amelia Boone (Spartan race champ turned ultrarunner)
- Beverley Anderson-Abbs (another Barkley pioneer)
The film captures the insanity, the suffering, and the euphoria of conquering the world’s hardest ultramarathon.
Where to Watch
The Finisher premieres on the Singletrack YouTube channel—so grab some popcorn and prepare to witness history (without having to suffer in the Tennessee backcountry).
For the rest of us who would probably get lost 10 minutes into Barkley, watching Paris push through sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and impossible odds is inspiring enough.
She’s not just the first woman to finish Barkley—she’s the kind of athlete who makes you rethink what’s possible.
Also on the Horizon: The Endurance Artist by Jared Beasley
For those who can’t get enough of the Barkley Marathons’ mystique, there’s more to look forward to. Author Jared Beasley is set to release The Endurance Artist: Lazarus Lake, the Barkley & a Race with No End on Sept. 16, 2025. This upcoming book offers a rare glimpse into the life of Gary Cantrell, aka Lazarus Lake, the mastermind behind the world’s most grueling ultramarathons.
Beasley delves into how an unassuming accountant from Tennessee’s backwoods transformed into Lazarus Lake, the enigmatic figure who redefined endurance racing. The book provides an all-access pass to the creation and evolution of infamous races like the Barkley Marathons and Big’s Backyard Ultra, exploring the intricate designs, the psychology of participants, and the broader implications on our understanding of success and failure.
The Endurance Artist is currently available for pre-order through major retailers. Whether you’re an ultrarunning nerd or simply intrigued by tales of human resilience and ingenuity, this book promises to be a compelling read.
