Staff news

Edinburgh vet wins epic endurance race

An Edinburgh vet has become the first woman to win one of the world’s toughest endurance races, breaking the course record by 12 hours in the process.

Edinburgh vet wins epic endurance race

Jasmin Paris won the 268-mile Montane Spine Race ultramarathon in a time of 83 hours, 12 minutes and 23 seconds.

The performance was all the more extraordinary because she expressed breast milk at aid stations along the route for her 14-month-old daughter.

Jasmin – who is a qualified vet – is currently studying acute myeloid leukaemia at the University’s MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine.

Running challenge

The Montane Spine Race takes place along the Pennine Way National Trail, which begins in Edale in Derbyshire and finishes in Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.

The previous record of 95 hours and 17 minutes was set in 2016.

A successful endurance athlete, Jasmin won the British women’s fell running championships in 2018 and holds records in several other ultrarunning challenges.

Background

Jasmin graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2008. She joined the University of Edinburgh after a spell working in Minnesota in the US.

After completing her training as a specialist small animal veterinarian at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, she was awarded a fellowship to undertake a PhD.

The Edinburgh Clinical Academic Track – or ECAT – programme is for medical and veterinary clinicians who have demonstrated the potential to pursue a career as an academic clinician.

Jasmin has undoubtedly delivered one of the greatest ultra-running performances of all time and I am delighted to see that she is receiving such widespread public recognition for her success and dedication to the sport. What is perhaps less well known is the tremendous academic success Jasmin has enjoyed alongside her staggering accomplishments in ultra-running. She is a wonderful role model to young athletes, scientists and clinicians across the world.

Professor Richard MellanbyRoyal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Jasmin is an ambassador for running brand inov-8.

Related links

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine

Homepage image credit: Pete Aylward (runphotos.co.uk)