Jasmin Paris at Longlands

© Steve Razzetti

Last Sunday the inspirational ultrarunner Jasmin Paris gave an evening presentation at Longlands near Keswick with over 70 people attending. The event raised funds for the Mountain Heritage Trust (MHT), based in the Field Studies Centre above Threlkeld, and for the heritage side of Mountain Rescue England and Wales. It was organised by MHT Patron Jeff Ford and his wife Fiona.

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Jasmin’s presentation focussed on her world record in March 2024 when she became the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathons at Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. This notoriously tough and secretive ultramarathon involves five twenty-mile loops in uncompromising forested, hilly terrain. Each loop must be completed in under twelve hours with an overall cut off time of sixty hours. Jasmin completed the overall time with only 99 seconds to spare!

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Jasmin also covered some of her many fell running achievements including Cumbria’s Bob Graham Round, The Spine Race, and the 2016 Sky Runner World Series. In recognition of all these achievements Jasmin was appointed MBE in the 2024 Birthday honours list. As if the drama of her achievements was not enough, Storm Ashley interrupted her presentation towards the end, and the event finished in the half light of emergency lighting powered by a generator!

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Funds were raised by a raffle and an auction supported by local and national businesses. Contributions were received from Needle Sports in Keswick, Rheged, The Lakes Distillery, The Lion Gallery in Penrith, Bookends in Keswick, Salomon, Vertebrate Publishing, Kong Adventure, Isola Press, and there was a second-hand book sale from duplicate MHT stock. The main item auctioned was a signed black and white print of the now famous photograph by David Millar of Jasmin by the gate at the end of the Barkley Marathons. The picture had been framed by Derwent Frames of Keswick.

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Altogether an absorbing and inspirational evening with an iconic runner.