At 6:32 AM I rode my bike from Trillium Gap Trailhead 12 miles to Porters Creek Trailhead and stashed it in the woods. At 7:43 AM I started the route up Brushy Mountain, up Trillium Gap, across the Boulevard, down the AT to Newfound Gap, down Newfound Gap Road to Alum Cave, up Alum Cave, down Bullhead, up Rainbow Falls, and finally down Trillium Gap to finish at 9:13 PM.
I completed this attempt unsupported, carrying all my food and filtering creek water along the way.
It was an absolutely perfect weather day! My effort was consistent but depended upon the terrain of each trail. By the last climb I was worn out but saved enough energy to bomb the last downhill. I had three separate bear encounters, one of which I had to scoot past a mom and her cubs and another bear growled and swiped toward me. That might sound scary but the sketchiest part was running down Newfound Gap and through the Morton Tunnel while cars passed by. Amazing route!