Last week, Jasmin Paris made headlines across the globe, becoming the first ever woman to complete the Barkley Marathons, a 100-mile cult running challenge that’s commonly referred to as the world’s toughest ultra event. She completed the elaborate course in just 59 hours and 58 minutes – only 99 seconds within the cut-off.
One picture from the finish line, which was featured in the New York Times, on the BBC and in the Guardian, shows her slumped on the floor, overcome with exhaustion and relief, and here at Outdoors Magic, we couldn’t help focusing on the gear she’s wearing in it. Why? Because it provides a fascinating insight into what an elite, record-breaking runner chooses to wear and carry when they’re not under any obligations from sponsors.
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A former Inov8 athlete, these days Paris shuns brand support and instead runs for the Green Runners, a campaign group she co-founded with 24-hour GB ultra runner, Dan Lawson and Damian Hall who was also on the Barkley Marathons line-up this year.
The group’s aim is to encourage people to be environmentally considerate in how they go about their running, promoting four key pillars to being a greener runner, including thinking about how you move, how you eat, advocate and how you kit up.
“As a Green Runner, try to question every new purchase,” the group states on its website, “Do you need it to run, or do you just want it? Do you already own something that serves the same purpose?”.
As the pictures from the Barkley Marathons show, Paris has been practising what she preaches. She took to the race wearing and carrying products from a hotchpotch of different brands, including a number of items that are now out of production by the companies that made them.
Here are some of the products Paris opted for.
Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest
Paris’s pack appears to be a number of years old. It’s a long-discontinued version of the Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest which has a 6-litre capacity, bungee storage on the front of the pack and multiple closed and open storage options.
View the pack here: ultimatedirection.com
Inov8 Mudclaw G260 V2
The Inov8 Mudclaw has been a popular shoe amongst fell runners for a number of years, owing to its highly aggressive and long-lasting sole. It’s now been discontinued by Inov8 and replaced by the Talon collection but you can still find the Mudclaw at a few specialist retailers.
View the shoe here: runnersneed.com
Black Diamond Distance Z
These appear to be the same poles that Paris used back in 2019 when she became the first and only woman to have won the 268-mile Spine race across the length of the Pennine Way in England. They’re made from aluminium and weigh a lightweight 172g per pole. Interestingly, Black Diamond also makes a lighter carbon version, which Paris doesn’t appear to have opted for.
View the carbon poles at: ellis-brigham.co.uk
Inov8 Base Elite Top
This lightweight running top from Paris’s former sponsor is designed for lightweight durability. Its sweat wicking polyester fabric is derived from 6 x 500ml PET bottles. Paris was pictured wearing a short sleeve version of this during her win of the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa in 2021. Inov8 has updated this shirt with a new colourways and the brand’s revamped logo.
View the top at: ellis-brigham.co.uk
Inov8 Race Elite 3 QTR Tights
Just a pair of simple running tights, again from Inov8 – though featuring the brand’s old logo. They feature a zipped pocket on the backside, a stretch mesh pocket on the thigh for gels and flat locked seams throughout to prevent any irritation against the skin.
View the tights at: ellis-brigham.co.uk
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