Fastest Known Podcast

We've heard from people doing the incredible high routes, going non-stop often above timberline for days - now let's hear from one of the fastest FKT runners out there!

"The pinnacle is the World Mountain Running Championships. It is the fastest, most extreme, version of trail running.  The speed and shortness makes you take chances you never would otherwise. One tiny mistake and five people pass you."

Andy has been on 14 US National Teams, so has terrific experience and perspective:

Dang - Milner to Berthoud is the last big route I always intended to do myself!  It's that good, that big of a prize.  Justin Simoni finally accomplished it, then 19 days later Nick Pedatella and Ryan Smith crushed this huge route on the Continental Di

"The World's Toughest Race" - probably is!  After a 17 year absence, Bear Grylls brings back Eco-Challenge on steroids, with a massive budget and plenty of stories, all on a bigger and badder course.  The 417 miles on Fiji, included all kinds of paddling, trekking, biking, ropes, and wading through hypothermia-inducing cold water; the 66 teams were given 11 days to finish, and for 22 teams, that wasn't enough.

What's new, cool, and coming?  Find out on our 100th podcast, with the four people supporting what you do.

Peter: "I really like our new Regional Editors, because it's building a community. They know more about their area than I do.

Jeff: "We've seen a 500% increase in traffic, which required upgrades to the Maps, the Forms, the storage, everything.  It's always all about the improving the user experience."

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.