reaching new heights in marathon running. History awaits.
The Challenge
In February 2026, five 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 40% than those at sea level.
Supported by a dedicated team of ten climbers, 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.
The World’s Highest Marathon is a challenge that showcases our belief that we all have the potential to achieve extraordinary things. Climbing the world’s highest volcano is a feat in itself, but completing a marathon from its peak? That’s a real test of grit, courage, and the never give up spirit. This isn’t just about setting records – it’s about demonstrating that when we push beyond what we think is possible, we discover what we’re truly capable of.
Bear Grylls OBE
BecomingX co-founder
A Marathon Like
no other
Imagine a marathon that takes two weeks of ascent just to get to the start line. It is no surprise that no marathon has ever reached above 6,000 meters. Starting at 6863m, just below the summit of the world’s highest volcano, five 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.
Ojos del salado
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.
The ParticipanTs
Five extraordinary individuals are preparing to push the limits of human endurance as they take on The World’s Highest Marathon. A ground breaking climber, an ironman, a CEO… 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 ten trekkers, themselves pushing their limits and demonstrating the grit, resilience, and unyielding spirit of those willing to tackle a challenge few would dare to attempt.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Potentially yes! We can have up to 2 additional participants in the marathon and up to five more in the support team who will trek to the summit of Ojos del Salado. One way to guarantee a space is to become one of our headline sponsors - please see question below!
Please contact us at whm@becomingx.com if you are interested in joining us. -
Yes! We have a number of corporate sponsorship opportunities available, ranging from just $5,000 to $50,000 to help cover costs. One 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.
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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!
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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.