• In a world-first endurance feat, five runners successfully completed a full marathon starting from an altitude of 6,893m/22,614ft on Ojos del Salado – setting a new Guinness World Record (subject to verification).

• The team faced temperatures as low as -12°c (-30°c with windchill) as they took on this challenge, organised by learning and development company BecomingX.

• Getting to the start line was a feat in itself, with the team spending nearly two weeks acclimatising and taking on a 12-hour overnight climb in ferocious winds before the run began.

• Ford vehicles supported the mission throughout and got the team to an incredible height of 5,890m/19,324ft ahead of their final climb.

Ojos del Salado, Chile, 13th February:

History has been made on the slopes of the world’s tallest volcano. Five runners have successfully completed the World’s Highest Marathon, on track to set a Guinness World Record for The Highest Marathon – pending final verification. The team descended 42.2km from an extraordinary starting height of 6,893 metres on Ojos del Salado, together pushing themselves further than ever before and showing the world what is possible.

Starting high above the clouds, with oxygen levels at less than half that of sea level, the runners battled thin air where every breath is felt, highlighting just how important it was to have nearly two weeks of acclimatisation prior to a final, brutal, 12-hour overnight climb to the start line. Only five of the sixteen strong running and support team made it to the start line as winds gusting up to 100kph resulted in extreme challenges and -30°c windchill.

Running through the night down towards lower altitudes, the group had to make sure they were changing kit appropriately throughout and staying hydrated – none of which would have been possible without the incredible support team of climbers and guides who trekked up the volcano too, and drove behind the runners in their range of offroad Ford vehicles to provide critical aid throughout.

Given the challenges faced by the team throughout the day, they decided to cross the finish line in two small groups. BecomingX CEO Paul Gurney, adventurer and TV personality Aldo Kane and ultra-endurance athlete Mark Beaumont crossed the line first at 5.01am after 16 hours and 34 minutes. Combined with the 12-hour overnight climb to the start line they had been on the move for over 28 hours, with no sleep for over 48 hours and minimal food. In the second group South African adventurer Sibusiso Vilane and ultra-runner Sara Storey crossed at 6.30am.

Ford supported the expedition by transporting the team, vital equipment, and medical support all the way up to a height of 5,890m with a fleet of capable off-road trucks and SUVs – including the Ranger Raptor, Everest, and Expedition Tremor. The Ford vehicles represent a critical lifeline throughout the expedition, capably moving the team high up on the mountain in extreme conditions, powering communications and offering a margin of comfort in one of the most remote, hostile and unforgiving environments on Earth.

The event was created and delivered by learning and development company BecomingX, and supported by Adventure Alternative, an award-winning expedition and logistics company. This extraordinary challenge follows BecomingX’s record-setting World’s Deepest Marathon. The two projects combined represent an unprecedented exploration of human performance - from more than a kilometre below sea level to almost 7,000 metres above it.

For those who want to see what it was really like up there, Ford is also supporting the development of a documentary about the expedition, produced by award-winning Chrome Productions.

BecomingX hopes to inspire people everywhere to challenge their own assumptions of what they can achieve, and to prove that with commitment, support and belief, people are capable of much more than they imagine.

Paul Gurney (UK), CEO and Founder of BecomingX, and runner:

“This event has to be one of the toughest on Earth, pushing people to the absolute limits of human performance. This challenge was about showing what’s possible when people commit fully to a goal, however challenging it may seem. Completing this marathon at such extreme altitude required trust, teamwork, and resilience at every level. What we’ve achieved here will hopefully encourage others to challenge the limits they place on themselves.”

Aldo Kane (UK), TV adventurer and Ford ambassador:

“That was one of the toughest things I have ever done in my life. We had such incredibly difficult conditions to climb Ojos del Salado before we’d even started the marathon. Even moving at that altitude is so draining – attempting a marathon at that altitude is unlike anything I’ve experienced. I can’t explain how much it took out of me and the team to pull that off, but I am so proud to have been part of this and get a world record in the process.”

Sibusiso Vilane (South Africa), adventurer and first black person to summit Everest:

“The World’s Highest Marathon confirms what I have always believed. That we have no limitations other than those we place on ourselves, and that we can go so much further than we believe. This was the toughest physical and mental challenge I have ever done and reinforces my belief that our potential is limitless.”

Mark Beaumont (UK), multi-world record holding ultra endurance athlete:

“That is the closest I’ll get to an expedition on Mars!  I wasn’t sure if a marathon from 6,893m was possible, and I am struggling for words to describe how incredibly hard both the climb and marathon have been. I’m just so proud of the team, the depths of endurance they went to and how we supported for what is a truly unique piece of history making.”

Sara Storey (UK), ultra-runner:

“This was an incredible experience and I’m so grateful to my team mates for their support - climbing Ojos and then completing a marathon under extreme conditions, in one of the most inhospitable places in the world, was only possible as a team effort. This was the hardest thing I have ever done - it took every bit of determination and every ounce of effort I had to complete it.”

Gavin Bate (UK), elite climber and expedition logistics lead:

“In the world of expeditions and challenges, there are few things more exciting than doing things for the very first time. This challenge was truly extraordinary and it required the highest level of planning, preparation and teamwork in such an extreme environment. The potential for the unknown is very high and it requires a certain attitude and faith to carry it through and I’m so proud to have been part of the World’s Highest Marathon.”

Alongside Ford, the adventure also has support from Official event Partner Wheaton Precious Metals, who are supporting the social impact goals of the expedition in South America, as well as Official Kit Suppliers Montane who provided vital climbing and running kit, La Sportiva who provided boots and running shoes, and Vango who provided sleeping bags for the team.

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