In this week’s episode we’re traveling to the rugged Mahoosic mountains of southern Maine, home of the hardest mile on the AT. Host Heather Anderson talks with Jeff Colt who recently set the overall unsupported time on the Northeast’s “Hardest 50K” completing the route in 6 hours, 40 minutes, and 53 seconds—taking an hour off of the previous men’s …

In this week’s episode, host Heather Anderson talks with Brittany Haver and Carrie Henderson, who each set FKTs on Arizona’s rugged Tonto Trail. Carrie established the initial supported female time in 1 day, 9 hours, 20 minutes, while Brittany logged the first female unsupported time in 1 day, 9 hours, and 58 minutes. Tune in to journey along this …

The 272-mile Long Trail is one of our premier routes for good reason. With an impressive history of competitive FKTs, this trail has once again seen stout records fall. Tune in to join host Heather Anderson as she talks all things LT with Tara Dower, who set the overall and women’s supported time in 3 days, 18 hours, and 30 minutes, and Tori Consta…

This week we head to the well-trodden premier route across Arizona. Host Heather Anderson is joined by Sadie Curry who set the women’s self-supported northbound time on the iconic Arizona Trail by covering the 800 mile distance in 17 days, 12 hours, and 27 minutes, taking 7 hours off of the previous time. Tune in to hear how she accomplished her fi…

This week we’re headed to the rugged Adirondacks of New York where Scott Benerofe recently set the unsupported FKT for tagging all 46 4,000-foot peaks in one go. Tune in to hear how he pulled together his experiences with trail running, thru-hiking, and peakbagging to push deeper into the realm of endurance adventure. He shares the highs and lows o…

2025 was a stunningly busy year on the Appalachian Trail. There were many high profile FKT efforts and several DNFs in the final days. Three long-held records did fall, however. Sarah Baker set the women’s self-supported northbound time in 74:04:42. Lyla Harrod set the women’s southbound time in 52:18:37. And Jeff Garmire took down the men’s self-s…

Stretching from Washington to California along the Pacific Ocean, the 400+ mile long Oregon Coast Trail is a mix of road, beach, and forested trail that challenges travelers with tides, estuaries, and frequent bad weather. Join host Heather Anderson this week as she chats with Katie Gunvalson who recently smashed the women’s overall record with her…

On today’s episode we’re traveling to the High Sierra of California where Caroline Himbert recently set the women’s unsupported northbound record on the premier John Muir Trail. Her first long, unsupported effort was a way for her to go back to her roots as a long distance hiker. Along the way she dealt with excruciating foot pain, a knee injury, a…

Bears, sheepdogs and snakes…oh my!When you think of Armenia, you probably don’t think of a wild long distance mountain trail. However, today’s guest, Katya Guryeva, shares stories from her 21 day supported FKT on the country’s 820 kilometers of the Transcaucasian Trail. Over the course of the record, Katya encountered a wide variety of challenges f…

This week we’re heading to the Show Me state where Tim Beissinger set the unsupported FKT on the 230 mile long Ozark Trail in a time of 4 days, 9 hours, and 24 minutes. Tune in as he and host Heather Anderson discuss methods and motivations for this former triathlete as he pushed his limits to set his first fastest known time. Tim accomplished the …

In today’s episode, Chris Roberts shows us what it takes to run the longest rail trail in the United States in just 1 day 21 hours and 37 minutes. Missouri’s Katy Trail stretches 238 miles almost the entire east-west distance across the state. Chris shares how his mom joined in on bike for her first ever multi-day, no sleep adventure and how his tr…

Join host Heather Anderson as she talks all things Grand Canyon with Allison Baca on this week’s episode. Allison recently set the women’s unsupported FKT for the Rim to Rim to Rim route at the Grand Canyon, covering the 44 mile double crossing in just a tad over 7 hours and 31 minutes. They talk specifics of gear, fueling, and fluids as well as na…

The tiny European country of Andorra, with a population of about 80,000 people, is home to a wide array of mountains. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Pau Capell about his experiences as a Spanish mountain runner who relocated to the Ordino region. He shares the ins and outs of the technical Estripagecs route around the Ordino Valley where he s…

Today we’re traveling to possibly the most remote mountain range in the 48 contiguous US states–Wyoming’s Wind River Range. These rugged mountains have more bighorns than people and yet our guest Kelly Halpin finds great joy in traversing them solo and unsupported. Join host Heather Anderson in this week’s episode and learn what drove Kelly to retu…

What does the infinity symbol have to do with FKTs? Well, if you’re in the state of Washington it’s indicative of one of the most challenging mountain routes in the state–Mount Rainier’s Infinity Loop. Join host Heather Anderson and guest Gian Dalle to hear about his adventure that combines summiting the iconic volcano twice and completing the 90+ …

Near the Norwegian border, mostly above the Arctic Circle, lies Sweden’s mountainous Kungsleden Trail. Tune in to today’s episode where host Heather Anderson chats with prolific FKT setter Liz Derstine about her recent self-supported effort on this iconic trail. She shares the logistical challenges of completing a 480-kilometer trail in just over s…

This week we travel to New Zealand to catch up with the world’s fastest dentist, Karel Sabbe. In early 2025 he smashed the supported record on the iconic Te Araroa Trail by taking over 17 days off of the previous time on the 3,000 kilometer route. Tune in as Karel and host Heather Anderson talk about beach running, wild dogs, fording rivers, and mo…

The Munro Round is a classic peakbagging list in Scotland with a strong history of FKT attempts. In today’s episode, we’re catching up with Jamie Aarons to hear all about her self-powered journey to all 282 summits in just 31 days!Join host Heather Anderson and learn from Jamie about Scotland’s unique public access to the land policy, as well as th…

This week we’re heading to Massachusetts and Connecticut with Marc Kelly to learn the ins and outs of the New England National Scenic Trail. This hidden gem runs 215 miles through the rooty, rocky, hills of southern New England. The NET is known for its challenging river crossings, access to towns, and limited camping options. Join Marc and host He…

Today’s episode takes us to the highest mountain in Japan via a lesser-used route. Join host Heather Anderson as she chats with Simon Pfreundschuh about his self-supported FKT on Mount Fuji. He talks about how this route with 12,000 vertical feet ascent (and descent) became his first FKT, as well as the ways the Paul Deckret route surprised him. He…

Tune into today’s episode to hear Bob Stewart chat with host Heather Anderson about his experiences on Pennsylvania’s numerous state trails where he has set many FKTs. They dive into the particulars of his unsupported FKT on the notoriously difficult and remote Tuscarora Trail as well as why Bob enjoys the modality of unsupported more than other ca…

Our podcast takes us to the Ouachita region of Arkansas today where Christine Reed joins host Heather Anderson and shares the story of setting her first FKTs despite several years of attempts. Learn what it’s like to train and compete with dysautonomia (POTS) and how that has impacted Christine’s journey. She also talks about her experiences with o…

Recently, Fastest Known Time has approved new guidelines for para-athletes. Athletes who have any “Eligible Impairment” listed by the International Paralympic Committee may submit an FKT by checking the “Para athlete” checkbox on the FKT submission form. Our first para athlete is Shawn Cheshire, a fully blind athlete. Join host Heather Anderson as …

The desert is a unique environment full of extremes. These can lead to high stakes during long adventures. Throw in some canyons and waterfalls and you’ve got the makings and an epic adventure. Tune into today’s show and hear how Nadja Heine set an FKT in Capitol Reef National Park on the 26 mile-long Four Canyon Loop while she was on vacation. Her…

In today’s episode host Heather Anderson is joined by our 2024 Men’s FKT of the Year winner, Kilian Jornet. Kilian shares the story of his massive human powered 82 4,000-meter peaks link up in the European Alps which took him just over 19 days. Tune in and hear about his flow state moments, how he modified his fueling to maximize recovery, and what…

Southern California’s Mount San Jacinto rises steeply above the Palm Desert–towering 10,400 feet above Palm Springs. This week, we’re grinding up the incredibly varied, sometimes technical, and always relentless Cactus to Clouds route with Helen Mino Faukner. Helen shares her experience running not just up the mountain, but all the way back down in…

Just a year after setting a stout unsupported time on Vermont’s iconic Long Trail, Will Peterson came back and achieved a stunning supported FKT. Over Labor Day Weekend 2024, Will, accompanied by 30 crew people broke John Kelly’s previous time and shattered the 4 day barrier. Drop in to today’s episode where Will shares his strategy, motivation, fu…

Join host Heather Anderson on the FKT Podcast as she dives into the standout fastest known times of 2024 with special guest Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy. Joe, a renowned runner and FKTer with record-setting achievements on trails like the Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, and Arizona Trail, brings his unique perspective to this year’s incredible accomp…

Though Georgia Porter grew up in a family of runners, she didn’t start running until age 25. Her journey from roads to trails then ultras led her to reclaiming her joy in running and to setting a stout time on the Arizona Trail as her first FKT. Drop in to today’s episode, hosted by Heather Anderson, to hear about how Georgia’s supported run of the…

The 130-kilometer Cape to Cape Track in Western Australia is a popular route for backpackers and trail runners alike. Today’s guest, Mike Lori, took on his longest ultra distance challenge by running it solo and unsupported in just 14 and a half hours. Join host Heather Anderson as they talk trail, chronic fatigue, snakes, quicksand and more. Mike …

“If you have a strong why, you can do the impossible.” Today’s episode dives deep into the mental side of long distance running as host Heather Anderson talks with Sophie Power about her supported FKT on the Head to Head Route Across Ireland. Sophie shares her highs and lows of running a hundred miles a day for three and a half days on only 2 hours…

Colorado’s LA Freeway isn’t a misnomer. It’s a 34 mile link-up between Longs Peak and Arapahoe Peak along the Continental Divide. Join host Heather Anderson as she chats with Anton Krupicka about his unsupported FKT on this remote, technical, and exposed route. He shares his motivations and training for his 13 hour and 20 minute push that included …

When you think about the Netherlands, you probably call to mind canals, windmills, and shoes. But in the east the nearly 500 kilometer Pieterpad Trail traverses a wide variety of landscapes as it travels from the sea in the north to the hilly terrain of the south. Sometimes referred to as the Dutch Camino, this trail offers a little bit of everythi…

It was a busy season on the Colorado Trail as records were broken in nearly every category beginning with Kyle Curtin’s smashing success in June–bringing the record under 7 days for the first time. Today’s episode brings together record setters Brent Herring, DJ Fox, Jeff Browning, and Kyle Curtin. They discuss their route choices as well as modali…

For the first time ever, the Appalachian Trail Fastest Known Time has gone under 41 days–taken there by Tara Dower. On today’s episode, Tara and her crew chief Rascal join host and previous AT FKT record holder Heather Anderson to talk trail. Tara opens up about the difficulties of the rainy conditions she had in Maine and New Hampshire including h…

Today we’re diving deep into the oak and hickory lined ridges of eastern Oklahoma and central Arkansas as we catch up with Isaac Robinson to hear about his unsupported FKT on the 223 mile Ouachita Trail. Join host Heather Anderson to learn how this resident of North Texas handled the rocks, roots, and ruggedness of this lesser known route. After a …

When you hear sandy pine forest trails do you think of Florida? I bet you don’t think of New Jersey. Yet, on this week's episode, host Heather Anderson chats with Rachel Bambrick about her unsupported FKT in the sand laden Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Her 12 hour 35 minute record set a stout bar for the women’s unsupported category. Tune in and disc…

This week we're traveling to the Midwest for an excursion along Lake Superior. Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail is a popular route for FKTs and today Andrea Larson and Alan Chapman will be joining host Heather Anderson to talk about their independent, unsupported FKTs. Find out how Andrea made the last-minute decision to go unsupported and how tha…

West of Toronto, Canada’s 550 mile long Bruce Trail travels along the Niagara Escarpment, from the famous falls northward onto a peninsula that juts into the Great Lakes. This ribbon of wilderness is a well-maintained gem of predominantly hardwood forest. In 2016 a team of 18 women completed the trail relay style in what they called the Wild Bruce …

The Colorado 14ers are a prominent mountain list in the United States with a long history of FKTs on them. This week’s guests have been a huge part of that history, with each of them having established multiple FKTs in these mountains over the years. In this episode, we learn how Andrew Hamilton and Andrea Sansone decided to contribute to the 14ers…

This week we’re taking a trip to the land of mud, moose, and rocks in northern New Hampshire where Phoebe Seltzer set the supported FKT on the 170-mile Cohos Trail in 3 days, 10 hours. The southern terminus of the Cohos Trail is located at Crawford Notch in the heart of the uber-popular White Mountains. From there it quickly leaves the busier backc…

In today’s episode we’re traveling to remote Nevada to travel the crest of the Toiyabe National Forest with Jessica Johnson and Cryptic. This non-binary team established a stout unsupported time on this roughly 65-mile long trail through classic basin and range terrain. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, this National Recreatio…

There are not a lot of firsts left to be done in the world of trail running, but recently Jasmin Paris accomplished just that by becoming the first woman to finish the Barkley Marathons. Tune in to hear about her training for this infamously difficult race as well as what she did differently on this, her third time there. She also shares her passio…

What route has tea houses, prayer flags, yak jams and is all above 3,000 meters? Join host Heather Anderson on today's episode to travel Nepal's Namche Bazaar to Everest Basecamp route with Rachel Boim. This direct route is well-traveled and only has a few technical sections, but plenty of other obstacles...including the four-legged kind. Hear all …

In this week’s episode, we’re traveling across 4 state borders with Meg Landymore. She recently set the women’s unsupported FKT for the AT Four State Challenge. This 43 mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail touches 4 states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. Meg’s familiarity with the local-to-her route brought her within minutes…

This week we’re traveling to a park where the trees have a name. The Joshua Tree National Park Traverse is a 37 mile long route in southern California. The park, eponymously named for the large yucca plants that grow there, is more well known as a rock climbing mecca than ultra-running scene. Yet within a few days of one another Darren Thomas and J…

In this week’s episode, host Heather Anderson is joined by ultrarunner and body positivity activist Callie Vinson to discuss her supported Maricopa Loop FKT. The Maricopa Loop is an urban trail system connecting all the major and municipal parks that ring the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Despite its accessibility, it is chock full of wild and remote t…

There’s only one FKT that is over 7,000 miles long and takes seven and a half months to complete and in 2023 Billy Meredith crushed the self-supported record on it. The Triple Crown of Thru-Hiking consists of the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Each of these is over 2,000 miles long. Attempting to complete …

This week we’re traveling to Alabama to retrace Martin Luther King Junior’s march from Selma to Montgomery with Sika Henry. 59 years ago nonviolent activists marched between these two cities to protest segregation. Earlier this month Sika, the first Black female professional triathlete, ran this 51-mile historic route in 7 hours 6 minutes. The gran…

Host Heather Anderson delves into Kristian Morgan's epic Appalachian Trail FKT, an endeavor filled with grit, determination, and unexpected challenges. Join us as we uncover the remarkable story of Kristian, who embarked on this daunting journey supported by an unlikely ally – his own mother, serving as his dedicated crew. Through numerous setbacks…