Doing something for the first time is hard, also historic and memorable.

Think of the first sub four-minute mile, Joan Benoit’s first women’s Olympic marathon victory and the first Barkley Marathons finish by a woman.

Last Friday, British ultramarathoner Jasmin Paris completed more than 100 miles of punishing Tennessee backcountry running to become the first woman to finish the Barkley Marathons. It’s no small feat for anyone since in the event’s 38-year history, more than 1000 runners have started, but only 20 (including five this year) have officially finished.

Over the years, several women have attempted the Barkley Marathons, but none have finished — until this year. Paris finished dramatically in 59:58:21 with less than 2 minutes to spare before the 60-hour cutoff time.

Although relatively unknown to the general American public, she is well known in ultrarunning, especially in Europe. Paris has been a national fell running champion and a women’s world record holder in several ultras. In 2016, she ran a fastest known time for Ramsey’s Round, a Scottish hill run of 58 miles with 28 summits and more than 28,000 feet of elevation gain.

The 40-year-old research scientist and mother of two had attempted Barkley in 2022 and 2023. Last year, she completed four loops of the event.

Barkley Marathons is a race like no other. After discussing a 1977 Brushy Mountain Prison break and capture, ultra runners Gary Cantrell (a.k.a. Lazarus Lake) and Karl “Raw Dog” Henn conceived an adventure challenge through the rugged Frozen Head State Park in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee. They named the event Barkley after a fellow running friend.

The first Barkley Marathons was held in 1986 with more than 50 miles, over than 25,000 feet of elevation gain and a 24-hour cutoff. While 13 runners, including Cantrell, started, no one finished. It took another two years before Frozen Ed Furtaw became the first to finish the race in 1988.

In 1989, the course distance was increased to 100+ miles. After no one could finish the five loops with elevation gain equaling two Mt. Everest climbs in 50 hours, the cutoff became 60 hours in 1995. There was one finisher that year.

The distance and difficulty of Barkley are only part of its lore. There’s no website for signup. Registration info is passed by word of mouth. Runners must submit an essay on why they should be considered for participation and pay the registration fee of $1.60. Only about 40 are accepted each year. Virgins must also bring an old license plate from their home state or country and veterans are asked to bring an item such as socks, shirts, etc. of the race director’s choosing.

There’s no online course map but entrants can view and copy the master map to make notes to follow the unmarked route. The race’s start is arbitrary but in March, weather in the Tennessee backcountry can be freezing, frosty, flooded or sweltering.

There’s also no set start time. The race begins an hour after a warning conch shell blast when the race director lights up a cigarette.

No GPS or phone is allowed and only water is offered at two aid stations on five loops run alternately clockwise or counterclockwise. Runners must also tear pages corresponding to their bib numbers from 10-15 books placed at locations on the course or be disqualified. No spectators are permitted, and one crew member may monitor their runner’s location from a fire tower in the park.

We congratulate Jasmin Paris on her inspiring first and encourage those who follow in her footsteps.

For more information about Barkley Marathons, check out the documentary, “The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young.”

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Martha’s Run 10k or 1 Mile Run/Walk & Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Mt. Lebanon. Easter Egg Hunt for ages 10 and under beginning at 11 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Pittsburgh/MarthasRun

Sunday, 9:15 a.m.: Rotary Lake 5k Trail Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run, Barnesville, OH. Part paved, part not. Hoodies to first 100 registered. Free kids fun run at 10:45 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleParkRotaryLake5kTrailWalkRunKidsFunRun

Sunday, 10 a.m.: MKG Half Marathon, Sandy Lake. Run on paved trail around Lake Wilhelm in Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Race 3 in MCTA 26.2 Series. 724-301-6775

April 6, 8 a.m.: Eagleton Trail Race 10k/25k/50k, Lock Haven. Also 25k Ruck. Loop course. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=112661

April 6, 10 a.m.: 45th Annual Fool’s Run 10k and 5k, Black Lick. Run on Ghost Town Rail Trail starts at Saylor Park. 814-749-8556 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Blairsville/FoolsRun10K5K

April 6, 10 a.m.: Venango County CASA Superhero 5k Run, Walk and Kids Race, Oil City. Free Kids Mini Fun Run. Held on Samuel Justice Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/VenangoCountyCASASuperhero5k

April 13, 8 a.m.: Tapped for Sap 25k Trail Race, Beaver Falls. Challenging loop on Brady’s Run Park trails. 3riversoutdoor.com/blogs/events/tapped-for-sap-25k

April 13, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Half Marathon and 10k, Hollidaysburg. Run on Canoe Creek State Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/DirtyKiln

April 13, 9 a.m.: Dyngus Day Dash 5k Run/Walk, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. Post-race polka party. 412-327-6074 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=138563

April 13.: Helicon Brewing Food Truck 5k and 1 Mile Walk, Oakdale. Flat out-and-back on Panhandle Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/HeliconBrewingFoodTruck5K

April 14, 3 p.m.: Run or Walk for Someone Special, Sykesville. 5-mile race or 1-mile walk. 814-591-6800 or www.jcarc.org/events-1

April 20, 9:15 a.m.: Whole Life Services Pace at the Point 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk, Hermitage. Held at Linden Pointe. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/WholeLifeServicesPaceatthePoint

April 20, 10 a.m.: Phenomenal Hope 5k, Pittsburgh. Run at Riverfront Park on Pittsburgh’s Northshore. Discount for ages 6-12, free for kids under 5. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/phenomenalhope5k

April 21, 9 a.m: Run to Breathe Half Marathon & 5k, Portersville. Run on Moraine State Park paved trail. Finisher medals to all half marathoners. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunToBreatheHalfMarathon5K?rsus=100-200-7bd9093b-51c4-4f64-af0d-e4d0f9e46640

April 27, 9 a.m.: 12th Annual Run for the Titan Trail 5k Run/ 1 Mile Walk/ Tot Run, Glenshaw. Run through Shaler neighborhoods. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Glenshaw/TitanTrail5K

April 28, 9 a.m.: ATP 5k Run, Walk and Ruck, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. 724-967-1628 or caleb@adventurestraining.org

April 28, 9 a.m.: Can’t Sit Still Run/ Walk, Carnegie. 5k or 1 mile run/ walk on Panhandle Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Carnegie/CantSitStillRunWalk

April 28, 9 a.m.: 2.2 or 4.4 mile Tutu Run, Erie. Tutus encouraged but not required. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ERCPokerRun

May 4-5: Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend, Pittsburgh. Running and walking events for all: Pet Walk, Toddler Trot, Kids Marathon and 5k on May 4, Marathon, Marathon Relay and Half Marathon on May 5. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/races

Punxsutawney Groundhog Jog 4-Miler, Feb. 3: A.J. Kelly, 1st Overall M, 22:53; Amy O'Donnell, 1st Overall W, 26:18; Timothy Wyant, 1st 50-54 M, 28:39; Todd Sudik, 2nd 35-39 M, 30:50; Vanessa Johnson, 1st 35-39 W, 32:07; Mitch Radella, 2nd 55-59, 35:59; Tyler McDonald, 2nd 25-29 M, 37:39; Madison McDonald, 3rd 20-24 W, 50:32; Sheri Lazer, 1:11:25

Butler Cupid’s Chase 5k, Feb. 10: Jake Szul, 1st Overall M, 20:15; Zari Golojuh, 1st Overall W, 21:29; Camden Schaefer, 2nd Overall M, 21:32; Ethan Hrach, 3rd Overall M, 22:58; Leslie Kramer, 2nd Overall W, 24:09; Elliette Smith, 3rd Overall W, 25:27: Catherine Hrach, 1st 50-54 W, 25:34; Amanda Barclay, 1st 25-29 W, 25:41; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 1st 45-49 W, 25:50; Mitch Radella, 1st 55-59 M, 26:30; Tabitha Bowser, 1st 40-44 W, 28:04; Liam Breski, 2nd 13-15 M, 28:30; Tricia Schaefer, 2nd 45-49 W, 28:40; Megan Winters, 1st 35-39 W, 28:51; Jennifer Rottman, 3rd 45-49 W, 29:17; Cassidy Spirk, 1st 20-24 W, 29:41; Edie Sawyer, 2nd 50-54 W, 31:45; Tyler Boyer, 1st 20-24 M, 32:49; Sarah McAfee, 2nd 35-39 W, 32:51; Dianna Craig, 2nd 40-44 W, 32:53; Brianna Bailey, 2nd 30-34 W, 32:56; Paul Johnson, 1st 70+ M, 33:00; Tasha Werner, 3rd 50-54 W, 34:55; Peg Harper, 1st 55-59 W, 35:10; Camryn Bowser, 1st 12 & Under M, 35:14; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 35:41; Eli Nickerson, 3rd 30-34 M, 35:47; Austin Pittman, 2nd 20-24 M, 35:47; Randy Bowser, 2nd 40-44 M, 36:09; Jasper Schnelle, 3rd 13-15 M, 37:43; Erin Kohlmeyer, 3rd 35-39 W, 37:43; Beth Ann Skinner, 2nd 55-59 W, 38:24; Greg Deal, 3rd 40-44 M, 39:15; Violet Deal, 2nd 12 & Under W, 39:28; Stephanie Rouda, 2nd 20-24 W, 39:35; Evan Nolte, 2nd 35-39 M, 43:11; Violet Nolte, 3rd 12 & Under W, 43:12; Margaret Kasunic, 1st 60-64 W, 43:42; Kevin McAfee, 3rd 65-69 M, 50:32; Destany McCune, 2nd 25-29 W, 51:10; Thomas Hawk, 2nd 12 & Under M, 52:03; Karen Hull, 3rd 55-59 W, 52:18; Troy Hull, 2nd 50-54 M, 52:37; Carol Austin, 3rd 65-69 W, 54:34; Timothy Hawk, 3rd 12 & Under M, 1:00:59; Mark Yansky, 1st 25-29 M, 1:04:47; Corey Williford, 2nd 25-29 M, 1:04:48; Renee Yost, 29:41; Ashley Teuteberg, 40:33; James Fogel, 51:12; Tiffany Updegrove, 52:18; Kim Kenetz, 54:23; Lori Shane, 55:53; Timothy Hawk, 1:01:00; Hannah Hawk, 1:01:00; Susan Bowser, 1:04:45; Monica Yost, 1:04:47

Pittsburgh Cupid’s Chase 5k, Feb.10: Steve Kirkland, 1st Overall M, 15:27; Carolina Lucci, 1st Overall W, 23:13; Chelsea Rech, 2nd Overall W, 23:30; Will Bailey, 1st 25-29 M, 17:45; Devan Evanovich, 2nd 25-29 M, 18:10; Matthew Sudak, 1st 40-44 M, 19:49; Nolan Horvath, 2nd 13-15 M, 23:39; Mads Horvath, 1st 20-24 W, 24:04; Joe Klimchalk, 3rd 50-54 M, 24:33; Logan Diaz, 1st 12 & Under M, 24:40; Dylan Dickey, 2nd 12 & Under M, 24:57; Christopher Horvath, 3rd 45-49 M, 30:20; Jeffrey Elms, 26:10; Aleyna Yilmaz, 27:38; Sophia Hernadez, 27:48; Mark Ho, 28:28; Jason Ledon, 30:14; Michelle Reider, 32:33; Kim Dickey, 33:04; Abby Wolford, 33:31; Robyn Fox, 34:34; Teresa Buckingham, 34:40; McKensie Sanchez, 35:36; Alyssa Howlend, 35:58; Meagan Summerville, 37:00; Christine Black, 37:24; Claire Evans, 40:05; Kate Edwards, 40:09; Kristin Horvath, 40:25; Erin Miller, 52:57; Ameraa Dicola, 1:00:50

MCTA Marathon Series Epicenter 8.5, Feb. 17: Dan Dygert, 1st Overall M, 56:26; Jammie Clark, 1st Overall W, 1:11:36; John Armstrong, 3rd 50-59 M, 1:16:17; S Mark Courtney, 2nd 60+ M, 1:16:17; Debbie Courtney, 2nd 60_ W, 1:29:55; Jeremy Dicus, 1:23:53

One Big Run 5k, Feb. 17: AJ Kelly, 1st Overall M, 18:01; Doug Basinski, 3rd Overall M, 21:50; Emily Zuetell, 1st Overall W, 22:04; Brent Baldauf; 24:55; Carl Kondrach, 27:34; Timothy Brawdy, 27:48; Rod Brest, 28:15; Mitch Radella, 28:31; Liam Baldauf, 29:06; Erin Kohlmeyer, 30:53; Anthony Sunseri, 34:15; Paul Johnston, 34:36

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle