Grand Canyon Rim To Rim To Rim Run

The Rim to Rim to Rim (R2R2R) is an iconic and challenging trek in the Grand Canyon National Park. As the name suggests, it involves traveling from one rim of the canyon to the other and then back again, covering a round trip that spans the width of the canyon twice.
Me and a group of friends tackled the Canyon March 29th, 2024
Typically, participants start either from the North Rim or the South Rim, descend to the canyon floor via one of the trails (such as the Bright Angel Trail or the South Kaibab Trail), traverse the canyon bottom, and then ascend to the opposite rim using another trail. They then turn around and repeat the journey in reverse, returning to their starting point.
We took the South Kaibab over Bright Angle because of the shorter distance and not needing all the water that you can get on the Bright Angle Trail.
The R2R2R is extremely strenuous and requires careful planning, preparation, and fitness due to its significant elevation changes, rugged terrain, and exposure to extreme weather conditions.
Here is my story
In June 2022 I was 240 pounds and losing the battle to alcoholism. After finding a joy for running again I decided to turn my life around. Since then I have continued my running journey, finishing a few ultramarathons and dreaming big. This video is a part of that journey. Here we will review prodcuts that we try and recap races that we do.
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[@bradfinntrains]

Podcast Episode Of All The Details: open.spotify.com/episode/6VD5g62fAX7v6CX0K23jkc?si=5T96-Hp3SzyRPWte7FmXSQ

[@JimCamp-v7q]

Brad: Congratulations on completing this epic journey!!! And to do it on your first time in the Canyon is really remarkable - a testament to your training and the will to get it done. I was fortunate enough to spend two nights down at Phantom Ranch including your day in the Canyon, and you guys passed me moving fast in the Box in the morning and then we chatted a bit around 6:00 outside the canteen (@16:08). Really impressed by everyone’s energy level - you guys were pretty stoked for the final push up and out of the Canyon - glad to see in the video that everyone made it safely out. - Jim

[@bradfinntrains]

Hey Jim! Thanks so much for the message. Small world! Im so happy you got to see the video. We all had an amazing day and continue to do monthly adventures together to celebrate life and our sobriety! I wish you all the best Brad Finn

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Epic adventure and beautiful video. Congrats on getting it done and thank you for sharing!

[@bradfinntrains]

Appreciate you!! Glad you enjoyed it! Canyons next right! How’s ur training!

[@RunFreeandStrong]

@@bradfinntrains thanks for asking. Training is going well. Feel the cumulative fatigue lol. See you in Auburn!

[@MoonDog_98]

Great video! Epic adventure!

[@bradfinntrains]

It was the best man! Get out there!!

[@jeffmoffat6967]

Thanks for making the video Brad! Really enjoyed it

[@bradfinntrains]

Thank you so much for the kind words. glad you enjoyed it

[@theinvestinghouse]

You are so awesome Brad! Greatest adventure this year! It looks so amazing!

[@bradfinntrains]

Appreciate the kind words! This is just the start of an epic year!!

[@messynate]

just did north rim to south in 11 hours . if i ever do it again, i will be trail running instead of walking with a heavy pack

[@bradfinntrains]

Right on. Great job!

[@dmhergott]

Love this. Such a great adventure and experience for you. It's a goal of mine to do R2R.

[@bradfinntrains]

Highly recommend it

[@danielfinn1259]

124 Avg HR is mind blowing haha

[@bradfinntrains]

Zone 2 for the win!

[@coreytaylor1673]

Watched this with my wife. She said we need to do this! Probably over two days though. Lets go!!!

[@bradfinntrains]

Two or even three! Get in touch with me. I can help with logistics

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Such an epic adventure, Brad! Nice job pushing and getting it done! I really want to do this someday.

[@bradfinntrains]

Thanks so much man. It was an epic day an I highly reccomend putting it on your bucket list! Can’t wait for you to get healthy again and start crushing again!

[@MikeTerry1]

Awesome adventure and video!! Loved it!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thanks Mike!

[@chosenscv]

Beast. Keep crushin it, man.

[@bradfinntrains]

Appreciate the kinds words👊🏻

[@mokefish8126]

Nice job, Brad! I've done it twice, the first time was 9 years ago and I went out way too hot and ended up blowing up 3/4 of the way up the North Rim. Barfed my guts out the whole way back (up Bright Angel). I had to lie in the creek numerous times to bring my core temp down. Last fall I went back and had a really nice experience, took it easy, did the side trip to Ribbon Falls, felt great the whole time. But even that was hot and tiring. It's always an adventure that needs a whole lotta respect!

[@bradfinntrains]

Takes a ton of guts to go back after a first attempt like that. I was planning hitting ribbion falls on the way back but that right as my stomach started to turn so didn’t wanna add any milage.. next time for sure

[@mokefish8126]

@@bradfinntrains Wait, I thought you said "never again!" at the end of your video :D.

[@charlesbrenneman4150]

That was so awesome Brad! Thanks!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thanks again for your continued support

[@drhenderson40]

That’s awesome!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thank you so much!

[@jjbuckner]

So awesome man!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thanks JJ!

[@austinado16]

I've been waiting for this video!! Awesome job Brad, and what an incredible journey of life and training, and mentality, to get yourself there! You're an inspiration, and an absolute Machine!! Great job! I haven't done an R3, but I've been running R2R as a cross-country style run (no poles, no walking) since 1 year out of chemo lab, in mid-Aug 2015... which is also my birthday. Training for it, and doing it, was my middle finger to Cancer. My daughter, age 15, trained and did it with me, which was on her 16th birthday. We did it 5 years in a row, and then I started doing it twice a year (usually), returning in early Oct. I've done 12 of them now, and since 2020, 4 Rim2Rivers (down the S.Kaibab and into Phantom, and then up Bright Angel). I have vids on the channel. Heading back at the end of May to do another Rim2River. Can't wait!! Felt all that energy in your video, and all the pain! Been there, done that, have the T-shirt. I could tell what you were going through at the different stages. The Canyon just never lets up. One minute it's all good, and the next minute, the wheels are starting to come off. Love it there so much. You (and the rest of the crew) are monsters for going up S.Kaibab. Holy momma!!! Fantastic accomplishment, and I hope you go back with what you learned, and take another crack at it. 15hrs on your 1st, is outstanding!!

[@bradfinntrains]

Dude! Thanks for sharing that incredible story! I lost both my parents to cancer so I’m glad you gave it the ol FU. I will be back for sure! Maybe not for 3R, but definitely for some adventure! I still dont know if I would have been better off coming up BA. Steep and short seemed to be the quicker route. And I was battling time!

[@austinado16]

@@bradfinntrains I'm so sorry and bummed that you lost your parents to cancer. Doesn't get much more F*kt than that. I think I would have done the same as you. You had the carrying capacity for the electrolyte water, and extra food, so in that department, it was a very safe choice. You clearly had the level of training and fitness VERY appropriate to be doing an R3, so in that department, you also were safe to go up S. Kaibab. Saving 2 miles, is a big deal on an R3. I'll bet you were FUBAR in the first 30min-1hr afterward though... and barely walking the rest of the night, and next day. I know that well. I got a surprise phone call the morning after an MRI for what I thought was another kidney stone. "You're full of cancer, and it's spread through your torso to your neck, via your lymph system. It's so bad that we're getting you an appointment with an oncologist this morning." I was volunteer coaching my daughter's high school running teams, and running with them every day. Plus, I'm a complete tree hugger in how I eat, haven't had a drink in 30yrs, have never done drugs, blah, blah, blah. I actually told the gal, "Oh, I'm sorry. You've dialed the wrong number." Anywho, it wound up being testicular. I was 51 and 15yrs too old to have that, based on stats. It was final stage, and the chemo put me right on the edge of death for the 3 months of treatment. I'm lucky to be here. But I went right back to training, set a goal of R2R on the 1yr anniversary, and hit it. You'll see I ran there for my 60th, last Aug. and that was just 6 months and 4 months after having HTO surgeries to straighten my bowed legs and save what's (not) left of my knees, so that I can keep running, riding mtb and skiing, like I'm 16. Never give up. Never give in!! Huge congrats on your sobriety, your weight loss, AND for turning yourself into an absolute distance running machine. I'm sorry you have to run with poles, and in a plaid shirt with a ball cap on backwards, I won't hold it against you. 🤣 If you decide to go back to the Canyon (and I hope you do), go back and do a light and fast Cross-Country style run. What you'll need will fit into a Naked Running Band, the rest of you will be free to fly, and you'll have an absolute blast. Late April to end of May, or mid-Aug to mid-Oct are the times to do it (why I'm running on May 25th). To give you an example of times. If you're flying, you can go from the S.Kaibab trail head, to the tunnel before Black Bridge, in 1hr to 1hr and 15min. Run without water, to save weight and save your quads, because there's a water stop/station, 200m past the exit of the Black Bridge, off to the left, where all the river rafts park. So you can get a big drink there, wet your hair, and then cruise into Phantom to fuel for real. Then do the 9.5mi off to the right, over Silver Bridge, and up B.A. to the top. It's an awesome loop. If you want a R2R, go light and fast from the North Rim, wear the Naked Running Band, don't fill water bottles until Cottonwood CG (7.25mi down from the top), and you should be to Cottonwood in just over an hour, and be in Phantom in another hour of run time. It's a blast to run it at speed of some kind.

[@joeegerton8495]

Awesome video Brad!

[@bradfinntrains]

Thank you so much!

[@trevors_best_life]

Love it, I’m sending this same route on April 7th! My first 50miler. Did you only take your two soft flasks for water? I was thinking of taking another Liter but if there is enough water access I won’t carry the weight

[@bradfinntrains]

Everyone has a different strategy. I had 5- 500ML soft flasks. Only had them all full for the hike to the rims. Some of us had bladders. The pinned comments is a link to my podcast where I talked much more about the details of the trip and all my nutrition. Please let me know if you have any questions. What an adventure!!

[@bradfinntrains]

If you’re on insta you can DM me too at bradtrains And not that this matter at all… but I learned that day that is closer to 43-44 if you do sk and nk. If you have ur heart set on 50 take bright angel

[@JacobStoll-x4x]

Love the content! What size Salomon pack did you use for the trek?

[@bradfinntrains]

Solomon Adv skin 12

[@JacobStoll-x4x]

Do you think it’s possible to get by for just R2R with a 5L pack? Thanks again!

[@bradfinntrains]

I saw Jim Wamsly do it with a hand held. Anything is possible I suppose