Who is Ioana Barbu? The 37-year-old who went from podcasting to running 1,287 km across the world’s toughest terrains

Ioana Barbu did not plan to become an ultra-endurance runner. Her journey began during a casual conversation while she was working in television and podcasting.

Today, the 37-year-old is among a small group of athletes to complete the Beyond the Ultimate (BTU) Global Race Series. She is recognized for becoming the first British woman to complete the race in one calendar year.

Barbu’s entry into the sport was unexpected.

Speaking to CNN, she recalled meeting a fellow broadcaster who was training for a jungle ultra-marathon. “He was training for this Beyond the Ultimate Jungle Ultra, and that’s all he’d talk about,” she said. Curious, she searched for the race online. The challenge was intense, but she was drawn to it. “I’d love to do something like this someday,” she told him. His response stayed with her. “I’m two months older than you. Why not now?”

Barbu signed up soon after. She gave herself seven months to train.

Her first race was the Jungle Ultra in Peru’s Manu National Park. The event covers 230 kilometers over five days. Runners move through dense rainforest, cross rivers, and climb steep terrain. They carry their own supplies and face high humidity and exhaustion. For Barbu, it was a defining experience.

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After completing the race, she began working with a coach who specialises in ultra-marathons. She then set a new goal. She wanted to complete the entire BTU Global Race Series within one year.

The series includes races in extreme environments. These range from Arctic conditions to deserts and remote mountain regions. Barbu completed the four core races, covering 940 kilometers. She also finished two additional BTU races in Kenya and the Scottish Highlands. In total, she ran more than 1,287 kilometers across six events.

The races come with significant risks. Runners face extreme temperatures, wildlife, dehydration, and difficult terrain. Barbu experienced this firsthand during a race in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

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Speaking to CNN, she described a sudden attack by a wild dog. “The first thing I knew of this dog, it had its teeth in me,” she said. She fought the animal off using her trekking poles. She was bleeding and far from help. The finish line was still three miles away.

Barbu made a quick decision. She used her GPS tracker to call for help, then continued running. She did not wait for assistance.

Her determination has become a defining part of her story. It reflects the mindset required to complete such races.

Despite the challenges, Barbu has also spoken about moments of beauty during her runs. One of her most memorable experiences came in the Arctic.

Speaking to Make Some Noise, she described running across frozen lakes in extreme cold. “You run across big open frozen lakes at times, which are some of the coldest parts as there is no tree cover,” she said. During one stage, she experienced a moment that stayed with her. “I had a moment coming off one of the lakes at the end of one of the stages, with the sunset above the tree line I was running into,” she said. She added that the experience still gives her goosebumps.

Barbu’s achievements place her in a rare category. Only seven people had completed the full BTU Global Race Series before her. She has become the first British woman and only the second woman overall to do so. Most participants complete the series over several years. Barbu did it in one.

She often reflects on what the experience has taught her. Speaking to Make Some Noise, she said, “If you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way.” She added that she had no background in ultra-running when she started. “I had no idea what I was doing,” she said. She credits learning from experts and building the right support system.

Barbu also highlighted the importance of environment. “Surrounding yourself with the best people was life changing,” she said.