Coming to you every Friday: interviews with FKT-setters and other athletes in the world of Fastest Known Times.
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Anton was our very first podcast, 3 1/2 years ago! He was very articulate even back then:
"Sometimes being successful means getting back to the car. Alive."
He was also Episode 127 last year:
"I don't identify with any one sport - it's about the pure experience"
Tyler twice ran in the Olympic Marathon Trials, and now runs up the biggest mountains in South America. From a 2:15 marathon to climbing Aconcagua (22,841') in 3:32.
"A big reason I went to Aconcagua is because that is where the best guys go."
No kidding: the legendary Bruno Brnod still has the fastest round trip from basecamp, Kilian Jornet had an FKT before Karl Egloff (#1 FKTOY in 2019 on Denali) broke it, and now Tyler has the Ascent FKT from both Base Camp and the Trailhead (13,838' of vert).
Listener Suggestion: "Can you please get Nick Elson the podcast!? He's quiet and humble; if obliterating a classic FKT on Vancouver Islands highest peak doesn't grab attention, then taking down Dean Potters Half Dome FKT has to!!!
This is the finale! Listen to Nika and John tell you all about their wonderful trips, in their own words,
FKT: Colorado Trail (CO)
Time: 9d 14h 19m 00s
Notes: 22 hours faster than a FKT set last year; Self-supported within 4 hours of Supported time
Athlete Comments: "If you have a dream, go for it, because there will never be a perfect time. Be proud that you're going to take the risk."
FKT: Pennine Way (UK)
Time: 3d 00h 46m 37s
Notes: The premier long trail in the UK is also very competitive; 8 hrs quicker than her own FKT set 2 weeks earlier
Athlete Comments: "It was typical English weather, which means it rained most of the time.”
Time: 08h 06m 41s
Notes: Unsupported quick double crossing of the Grand Canyon; a Premier Route.
49 people from around the world have been Nominated for the Fastest Known Time Of the Year award! Wow. Let's talk about it with Hillary.
"Can you believe this guy? He not only did the 58 Colorado fourteeners, but he walked the entire distance between them, with no support!"
"I really like what Kelly is doing - she ran Gannet Peak by herself, which is high, remote, and technical."
"Great to see Hong Kong on the List. And 5,000 meters of vert? That's over 16,000 feet in a city that's on the ocean!"
We catch up with the "indomitable force" for a quick introduction to the upcoming Fastest Known Time Of the Year award, and more.
"This is my favorite time of the year! We get to discuss all the cool FKTs."
But first, we delve into the wonderful world of gravel-bike racing. Many runners got into SkiMo, which we've discussed here, but now the new cross-training sport is gravel riding.
Our Co-Founder and our Director of Community Partnerships gives us the scoop - - -
PB: "Races are resuming so FKTs are coming in at a more manageable rate. The UK has a very strong tradition so a lot of action there, including in winter. Australia is active as well."
AM: "It's been an amazing year! We forget that Rob Krar and Mike Foote did R2R2R.alt almost a year ago. Then Stringbean beat the AZT by 3 days after temporarily quitting due to snow."
Allie Mac flies down the trails (USATF Trail Marathon Champion 2 years in a row) and in the air (300 skydiving jumps). And did we mention riding dirt bikes?
"It was super technical. So I revved the engine, closed my eyes, and took off."
"I've gotten hurt way more times from running than from sky diving."
At the Moab Trail Marathon in November, her BASE-jumping friends were on the cliffs high above the course as she went by the halfway point.