Extreme Athletes Conquer Ojos del Salado Marathon

Five athletes have set a new Guinness World Record for the highest marathon ever, completing the race on Ojos del Salado, the world's highest active volcano. The event, held on February 11th, saw participants navigate treacherous conditions at an altitude of approximately 22,614 feet (6,893 meters).

The expedition was organized by BecomingX, a group co-founded by Bear Grylls, known for its challenging extreme events. This initiative aims to foster confidence and help individuals realize their potential through demanding experiences. Paul Gurney, CEO of BecomingX and a participant, highlighted the immense difficulty of performing any task at such extreme altitudes.

Before the marathon, runners spent nearly two weeks acclimatizing to the high-altitude desert environment and undertook an 11.5-hour climb to reach the starting point. They faced formidable weather, with winds reaching 100 km/h and temperatures plummeting to -30°C, alongside the significant challenge of low oxygen levels.

Starting at night, the marathon covered about 43 km down the volcano towards Laguna Verde. Due to the extreme conditions, many support team members had to stop, but the five athletes, accompanied by a few witnesses, completed the full course. The race duration was 16 to 18 hours, with the total time on their feet exceeding 28 hours when including the ascent.

The record-setting five runners included Paul Gurney, Mark Beaumont, Aldo Kane, Sibusiso Vilane, and Sarah Storey. BecomingX and their partner Adventure Alternative also set the record for the highest marathon distance run by a team.