Reaching new heights in marathon running.
History awaits.
The Challenge
In February 2026, ten runners will embark on a once-in-a-lifetime challenge: to run the highest marathon ever attempted. From the summit of Ojos del Salado, the world’s tallest volcano at 6,893 metres, they will descend through some of the planet’s most unforgiving terrain. The thin air, freezing temperatures, and relentless winds will test every ounce of their strength and resolve, as they push themselves to complete 42.2km at a staggering altitude where oxygen levels are only 44% than those at sea level.
Supported by a dedicated team of twelve climbers and guides, who will trek to the summit and provide critical aid throughout the race, these runners will be battling not only the distance but the extreme altitude that has never before hosted a marathon of this magnitude.
Organised by BecomingX, the learning and development company co-founded by adventurers Paul Gurney and Bear Grylls, this record-breaking expedition embodies the very essence of human potential. It is a testament to those who dare to go beyond the ordinary, redefining what is possible in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. From the roof of the world, these trailblazers will prove that with grit, determination, and a belief in the extraordinary, limits are there to be shattered.
A marathon like no other
Imagine a marathon that takes two weeks of ascent just to get to the start line. It is not surprising that no marathon has ever reached above 6,000 metres. Starting at 6,893m, at the summit of the world’s highest volcano, ten runners will attempt to make history. Organised by learning and development company BecomingX, the World’s Highest Marathon is a feat of human endurance and a celebration of pushing beyond perceived limits. This groundbreaking event is a relentless test of physical and mental resilience – a race where oxygen is scarce, the winds bite, and every step is a battle against the elements. It’s a marathon where the finish line is as elusive as the summit itself, and where every step is a testament to the extraordinary.
Extreme adventures call for extreme support. We needed vehicles that can handle the harshest terrain, high heat and freezing temperatures, that will run on the thinnest of air and remain completely dependable at over 6000m altitude, up a volcano, in the middle of the Atacama desert. Because there’s no backup, no spares and no going back.
We’re proud to have Ford as the headline sponsor of World’s Highest Marathon and to use their vehicles as the backbone of the expedition.
The world’s highest volcano
Towering at 6,893 metres, Ojos del Salado is the highest volcano on Earth and the second highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, second only to Aconcagua. Straddling the border between Chile and Argentina, this colossal giant rises from the heart of the Atacama Desert, one of the driest and most extreme environments on the planet. Despite its arid surroundings, the mountain harbours the world’s highest lake – a crater lake nestled at over 6,390 metres, where temperatures can plunge to -30°C.
First summited in 1937 by Polish climbers Justyn Wojsznis and Jan Alfred Szczepański, Ojos del Salado remains a formidable challenge even today. Its steep, volcanic slopes and relentless winds create an otherworldly landscape that tests even the most seasoned adventurers. Here, where the air is razor-thin and every step demands unyielding resolve, the mountain stands as a symbol of untamed potential – a place where the extraordinary is not just possible but inevitable.
On the highest volcano on Earth, conditions are relentlessly unforgiving. Ferocious winds, searing sun, sub-zero temperatures and oxygen-thin air demand clothing that performs without compromise. Every layer must protect, regulate and endure when the margin for error disappears. When you’re running above 6000 metres on a remote Chilean volcano, there is no room for failure. That’s why we trust Montane to equip us for the extreme as our Official Suppliers.
The Participants
Ten extraordinary individuals are preparing to push the limits of human endurance as they take on The World’s Highest Marathon. Elite climbers, an ultra-endurance cyclist, a former Commando and TV personality, and several world record holders are taking part alongside amateur runners… each driven by a shared determination to complete a marathon in one of the world’s most extreme environments. Guided by renowned mountaineer and BecomingX interviewee Gavin Bate, the marathon attempt will be supported by twelve trekkers and guides, themselves pushing their limits and demonstrating the grit, resilience, and unyielding spirit of those willing to tackle a challenge few would dare to attempt.
Ventures like this don’t happen without long-term vision and solid foundations. At extreme altitude, every decision matters and every resource must be managed with care and responsibility. Wheaton Precious Metals supports this expedition with the same commitment to resilience, precision and sustainable thinking that defines our approach to the world’s highest marathon. Their backing helps make the extraordinary possible in one of the world’s major mining regions, and their support will help us inspire young people to dream big, and seek out a better future.
Frequently asked questions
-
Sadly not - the expedition is completely sold out. Although there may of course be a next year…
Please contact us at whm@becomingx.com if you are interested in joining a BecomingX trip in the future. -
Yes! We have a number of corporate sponsorship opportunities available, ranging from just $5,000 to $250,000+. Some of our sponsorship packages includes the final places for participants. Please contact whm@becomingx.com and we can send you the details and customise an opportunity.
-
Yes! Please sign up to BecomingX’s contact list (below) and we’ll keep you updated with any events we are organising. You can also go to www.becomingx.com to see what we are up to!
-
Please get in touch with us at whm@becomingx.com where we can provide you with press releases, imagery and can discuss potential interviews and quotes.
Official Suppliers
Telling this story requires trust and experience. Chrome Productions are long-time collaborators, capturing the reality of extreme environments and human limits with honesty, sensitivity and world-class filmmaking.
On volcanic rock, loose scree and frozen ground, footwear is critical. La Sportiva are providing us with the grip, protection and confidence needed to move efficiently and safely at extreme altitude.
Recovery is survival at 6000m. In freezing desert nights and relentless wind, Vango sleeping bags provide vital warmth and rest, allowing the team to recover, adapt and perform each day.