Atop volcanos and under mineshafts: the marathon runners racing at Earth’s greatest peaks
Running a marathon is hard enough – yet doing so on top of a volcano? That’s certainly not a walk in the park.
Nevertheless, five dedicated athletes were able to battle the extreme winds and brutal conditions at Ojos del Salado – the highest active volcano on Earth – this 11 February, as part of their greater quest to complete the highest marathon ever recorded.
The race was arranged by learning and development company BecomingX (UK), who returned to the record books with this event after claiming the title for the deepest marathon in a 3,669 ft 10 in (1,118.56 m) mineshaft and the deepest underground marathon distance run (team) just a few months before.
Co-founded by legendary adventurer Bear Grylls, the group hosts these expeditions to help people build confidence and realize their potential – and they’d argue that there’s no better time to believe in yourself than when you’re running roughly 22,614 ft (6,893 m) above sea level!
“Doing anything at altitude is tough – breathing, moving, even thinking becomes harder,” said Paul Gurney, CEO of BecomingX and one of the five marathon runners. “So to run a marathon from nearly 7,000 metres was always going to push us to our limits.
“What this challenge really showed us is that resilience and potential are built through experience. It’s not about comfort or control – it’s about preparation, mindset, and the willingness to keep going when everything is telling you to stop.”
After spending nearly two weeks acclimatizing to the dry Chilean desert weather and advanced altitude, the runners had to complete a 11.5 hour push for the summit before even reaching the starting line for the race.
Facing winds of up to 62 mph (100 km/h) and temperatures as low as -22℉ (-30℃), they began their race in the middle of the night – and as their camera crew and fellow runners began to drop out due to the extreme conditions, only those five athletes and a straggling group of witnesses were able to complete the trek.
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In total, the marathon took between approximately 16 and 18 hours to complete, with participants spending over 28 hours continuously on their feet when including the summit ascent. Their route continued for approximately 26.7 mi (43 km) down the volcano towards Laguna Verde, passing several high-altitude refuges and checkpoints along the way, as well as an endless display of natural beauty.
Meanwhile, the extreme altitude, low oxygen levels, cold exposure, logistical constraints, and isolation combined to make the race a highly complex and demanding endurance challenge, both physically and operationally.
The five runners who reached the end each had impressive athletic backgrounds, including: Paul Gurney (UK), CEO of BecomingX; Mark Beaumont (UK), endurance cyclist and world record holder; Aldo Kane (UK), former Royal Marine and expedition leader; Sibusiso Vilane (South Africa), mountaineer and Everest summiteer; and Sara Storey (UK), Paralympic champion.
BecomingX and their tour operator Adventure Alternative (UK) both claimed the overall highest marathon title, as well as the record for the highest marathon distance run (team). The previous record was 19,340 ft (5,895 m), achieved by EP Global Events Limited and World's Highest Marathon (both Gibraltar) on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania in May 2022.
“I was genuinely relieved to see that everyone made it back safely, given the extreme conditions involved,” said Guinness World Records Adjudicator Anouk de Timary, who witnessed the attempt.
“I’m incredibly impressed by the BecomingX team’s ability to organise both the Deepest and the Highest Marathons within such a short timeframe, and by the determination shown by Paul and the four runners in completing this challenge in such a demanding environment.”
And the BecomingX team certainly agreed, with Paul saying that he was incredibly honoured to be a part of such an amazing experience.
“This wasn’t just about breaking a record, it was about showing what’s possible when individuals come together with the right support, the right mindset, and a shared goal,” he said. “I can't tell you how proud I am of every single person who took part in this and helped make it happen, and to all of our sponsors.
“This really showcased every aspect of what BecomingX is all about – ambition, dedication, leadership, teamwork, and resilience. What we do every day to help our clients.”
So congratulations to everyone who took part in these unbelievable marathons – you are all Officially Amazing!