Scott Jurek is attempting to break what runners call the "FKT" for running the Appalachian Trail. In that sense, FKT means "fastest known time."
Purists will tell you that the FKT for a supported thru-hike on the AT is attributed to Jennifer Pharr Davis, a very nice lady who doesn't seem to live for such things, no matter how adventurous she might be.
Purists will also tell you that Jennifer didn't run the AT, she just got up early and hiked late into the evening, really fast. For 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes.
I will tell you that, in my dang book, that's close enough to running to win a Snickers.
It might not be your dream to run the length of the AT. That's OK. My neighbor, Frasier Fir, section hikes whenever he can. Some folks go SoBo. Others flip-flop. Bunches go NoBo from Joja.
Many people who express their thoughts and/or feelings in online forums refer to Scott as a jerk (or worse) and attribute ridiculously negative motivations to him for choosing to make this gargantuan effort.
Why he chooses to attempt such a feat is his business. How is his business. It's all his business. I'm thankful that he keeps us up to date on how he's doing. For whatever reasons he chooses.
Thanks to Delorme.com, we can find Scott's current position online by clicking here.
If you have a copy of David "Awol" Miller's 2015 edition of The A.T. Guide, it's pretty easy to plot Scott's latest position. Fun too.
More than 17 hours ... and fewer than 30 miles or so?
I think he'll make it.
We'll know tomorrow!
In 2011, Jenn Davis set the FKT at 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes.
Scott hit the Trail on May 27th at 5:56 AM. He is now into his 45th day on the Trail. To beat Jenn's time, Scott must survive and summit Katahdin before 5:15 PM on Sunday, July 12, 2015.
If he doesn't, he's going to come much closer than you or I ever will.
One thing is certain, if he succeeds, Scott's wife, Jenny, deserves a heaping helping of whatever honor is bestowed upon the man who could not have made it without his wife's help.
Blessings to them both.
Here's a link to the best story I've read about the expedition of Jenny and Scott Jurek.
Tags: Attractions, Appalachian Trail, News, Robert Sutherland Travel Writer, and Hikers
Scott Jurek's Appalachian Trail run to Katahdin will end today, Day 46, July 12, 2015. Fueled by a plant-based diet and the loving care of his wife, Jenny.
Long-distance runner & super-hero Scott Jurek seeks his "masterpiece" accomplishment: breaking the speed-hike record of the Appalachian Trail.
Scott Jurek has two days to break Jennifer Pharr Davis's 46-day record for running the entire Appalachian Trail. Scott is 135 miles away. Will he make it?
Scott Jurek ran, walked, crawled & dragged his butt from Georgia to Maine faster than all assisted Appalachian Trail hikers. But, did he shatter the record?
Published Sep 9, 2015. Scott Jurek, ultramarathon hero & poster child for Bad Boys in Baxter State Park, paid a $500 fine to settle 3 citations for celebrating on Mt. Katahdin.
Scott Jurek has hired lawyers to defend himself against three citations issued to him by Baxter State Park after his record-setting Appalachian Trail run.
Baxter State Park issued three citations to Scott Jurek for actions after setting the record for fastest known time for running the Appalachian Trail.
Published Jul 30, 2015. The goals common to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Baxter State Park are similar but are they compatible? Can their paths merge atop Mt. Katahdin?
Congratulations to ultramarathoner Karl Meltzer for breaking the fastest known time (FKT) for an assisted thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.
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