Fastest Known Podcast

Courtney once ran 279 miles ... and received a "DNF"!  Huh?  How did that happen?  

"They ring a bell when it's time to start, and if you don't go right then, you're out.  That's it."

"It takes two to tango, two to keep the game going, to see what's possible."

From choices of candy, to Bronchitis on the Colorado Trail, and the amazing world of Big's Backyard Ultra, Courtney offers wonderful, simple, and helpful insights.

We receive 50 FKT submissions per day but this one immediately caught my eye: the Wind River High Route is big, wild, and rough, and a woman just did it alone, faster than anyone except one male.  Women have always been athletic equals of men, but we don't often see them alone on the high routes.  Turns out Kelly Halpin does a lot of the big routes. WHO IS SHE?

Damian is highly respected in the UK, and it's easy to see why: besides a 5th place at UTMB and numerous big FKTs, his team collected trash all along the Pennine Way while setting a new FKT.  

The Pennine Way is 268 miles long and one of the first National Trails in England.  The FKT was held by Mike Hartley for 31 years until John broke it.

Seth is one of those 'fast guys'.  On one of the legendary CU track teams. He ran a 1:06:50 Half Marathon - while running a full Marathon.

"Knowing what you enjoy ... that's the beauty of FKTs ... you can find your niche in the larger space."

"My brother and I attempted Nolans 14 a few years ago ... didn't make it ... that's the beauty of it; being humbled in the mountains."

There are now 52 Routes in Sweden, 34 of which were established just in the last few months!  Why?

We like to challenge ourselves, and FKTs are a wonderful outlet. Our view is FKTs should be an ultra distance.

Ultra indeed.  Welcome to the country that invented ÖTILLÖ, which is "island hopping" by swimming to multiple islands, running across them, then swimming to the next one.

You just put two points on the map, go from A to B, by any route you want, choosing your own strategy.

Strava is everywhere!  Quietly, not saying much, even though this company is fundamental in our recreational lives.  But what goes on behind the curtain?

Strava reminds me of Apple - the minimalist interface, the super clean look - and they don't spray, they let the products do the talking. 

We're focussed on what athletes need and want.  We were able to hire the best people in San Francisco because they believed in Strava - we're mission-driven, and they got to build products for a sport they really cared about.

On June 15 Joe "Stringbean" McConnaughy took an entire DAY off the previous best Unsupported time on the oldest long trail in the US, Vermont's 273 mile Long Trail.  How did he do it?

Jason Hardrath and Ashly Winchester have notched 81 FKTs - 61 for Jason, and 20 for Ashly - in only the last two years.

"I'm not fast, but opportunistic, and will snag the women's FKT whenever possible."

"I go back to what Peter Bakwin told me: FKTs are like art - you know it when you see it, and you know it when you don't."

Their most recent FKT is the Lava Beds National Monument Traverse:

What is the difference between a "path", a "trail", a "way, and a "walk"?  And why does everyone say they are from "Great Britain" when there is not a country called that?  It's a little different over the pond - listen to Tim explain it all - coming from the birthplace of trail running.

"When the Romans arrived, they built trails starting right at the sea, and going east to west across the country.  It was their road system.  They are called National Trails, are still here, and you can still run them, two thousand years later."