Scott Jurek Attempting to Break Appalachian Trail Record

[UNC71-00]

If you read Born To Run, you probably remember this guy. He's attempting to break the thru-hike (supported) record of 46.5 days currently held by Jennifer Pharr Davis of Asheville. He's keeping a log on Facebook and Instagram and supposedly you can see his itinerary online, although I can't find it.

The Asheville newspaper had a good if somewhat brief article about Jurek and his quest few days ago. And also, if you didn't read Born To Run, I can't recommend it enough, regardless of your opinion of running.

You may return now to your regularly scheduled programming.

@hawkit3113 - didn't think this would be noticed on the CBB board

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

He's got a good shot at it if he can keep it together. Karl Meltzer tried last year but had to quit early. A friend of mine, Matt Kirk of Marion (now in Florida) has the self-supported record, which in some ways is more impressive than the supported record.

He should be hitting Damascus, VA about Friday from what I've heard...

Side note: Will Harlan of Asheville WON the Copper Canyon race featured in Born to Run, just not in the year the book was about.

 

[UNC71-00]

He's got a good shot at it if he can keep it together. Karl Meltzer tried last year but had to quit early. A friend of mine, Matt Kirk of Marion (now in Florida) has the self-supported record, which in some ways is more impressive than the supported record.

He should be hitting Damascus, VA about Friday from what I've heard...

Side note: Will Harlan of Asheville WON the Copper Canyon race featured in Born to Run, just not in the year the book was about.

Really? I thought he was supposed to be in TN for 5 days. Would love to find his itinerary- I would like to go tag along for a short while

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

I have been told that thru-hikers (even the non-famous ones) don't publish their schedule and usually fudge their updates a little bit. Apparently, there are people who target them and cause trouble.

A friend who's hoping to do like you and catch him on the trail told me he was about 126 miles from Damascus at the end of yesterday and he's averaged 50 miles a day so far, so that's where they got Friday for Damascus. I've not seen anything official, though.

We helped Diane Van Deren set the Mountains-to-Sea Trail record a few years back (each hiked with her a couple days when she was near our area.) It's kind of cool to be a part of someone's quest.

 

[Raising Heel]

I think these people are nuts but respect their abilities.

I used to be part of an outdoors club, and there was a guy who would insist on running 16-mile trails when the group was deciding where to hike. Um, no thanks. (Probably didn't help that he was a Puerto Rican guy built like a miniature bulldog...Napoleon complex with an overdose of machismo for good measure.)