Pacing The Pacific | Running The Fastest Known Time On The Pacific Crest Trail

Venture Beyond Ep.4
46 days. That might seem like a reasonable amount of time to try a new diet, read every day, or work out each morning. For Karel Sabbe, this is the amount of time he took to complete a supported run of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in record time, averaging over 50 miles a day, from Mexico to Canada.
Karel’s ability to endure and overcome sufferfests is an experience that is unknowable to almost every other human. Yet, unlike most world-class athletes who exclusively train and compete for a living; Karel is-on the surface-an ordinary man. A husband, father, outdoor enthusiast, and a man with a day job. He schedules his runs around his appointments as a dentist, not around physio and nutrition experts' recommendations.
The beautiful thing about supported running records like this one is that Karel got to share this experience with his incredible crew, consisting of his wife, child, and closest friends. Karel’s gratitude for this opportunity is palpable throughout his journey; he even spends his last mile of trail reflecting on his favorite moments-Karel embodies what it means to Venture Beyond.
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[@sargeoutdoors969]

His friend and family group are some of the if not the most genuine, supportive, and selfless friend/family group i have ever seen.

[@Regimeshifts]

that relly stood out for me. i remember joren from the barkley marathon and i thought this man is extremely dedicated and extremely supportive. now i see this and i think the man just has amazing people around him. incredible

[@zfilmaker7525]

I am so proud to be PCT through hiker class 2023! Karel passed me on fire detour north of Holden Village when I was lost, and I saw him hiking higher than me. He saved me without knowing that. I also met Henri the day earlier when he and other person were hiking south, one with backpack and the other with a big camera in his hand, to set up tent for Karel that night, and they told me Karel is trying to set PCT record. I was there to witness it!

[@GuiiSanttoss]

"looked like i just completed the barkley marathons" is such a humble flex, you gotta love Karel

[@cat_yu_outside]

This is NUTS. He absolutely smashed his previous record + a 100 mile detour????

[@sherrylynbranchaw5452]

Fellow fans: if you liked this, "you might also like"... 1. The Quest for the Crest, aka Karel and Joren's 2016 PCT adventure, likewise available on KZbin. Awesome accomplishment, with Joren bringing the dedicated-multicompetent-badass-ultra crew energy, with a side of comic relief. ("Ultra crew": if only there were a Guinness record for *that* accomplishment.) Also, I assume the reason the final installment ends on a cliffhanger, with a promise of a next installment that never came, is because Karel and Joren were subsequently too busy performing the all-important feats of not dying, powering through night-long hallucination-riddled runs after missed meetups, talking closed ranches into opening to a stranded ultrarunner, and avoiding maulings by deer that liked to impersonate bears. (IOW, why this documentary opens with "That was traumatic. Wanna do it again?" "Nope!") 2. Remember when Karel mentions getting encouragement from fans along the way? One of them, surely the nuttiest (in the best possible way), reported his encounter in a blog post that does its part to carry on Karel and Joren's tradition of comic relief on the PCT. Google "Karel Sabbe loves me." 3. If you're here, you probably already know about the Barkley, but if not, google it and Karel's name, and you'll get great legendary moments such as: the time Karel was the last man standing (hell, there was not a lot of standing, he was the last man running up a mountain in the mud at night), the time Karel consulted with trash cans, the time Karel joined an elite club of runners who have given their friends and families heart attacks with six minutes to go. Now if you'll pardon me, I'm off to run a mile and press a button saying, "That was hard."

[@connorfood]

It was so cool to see and cheer Karel on as he dipped his shirt in the stream and passed us in NorCal. What an amazing feat to do the whole trail in just 46 days. This was such an exceptional year to thru-hike the PCT, and I'm so glad to hear he felt like a part of the class of 23, because we all felt the excitement of his run too!

[@christopherhaak9824]

It was a fantastic record, but I think even more important is the teamwork, togetherness, and semblance of normalcy from his team and family. Karel is an amazing distance athlete made all the more amazing by the love and support of his family and friends.

[@paulbraunstein7430]

An absolutely MIND BLOWING accomplishment from Karel and everyone else involved in this attempt, including everyone behind the scenes in making this happen and making this film come to life!

[@bend6799]

Henri stole the show for me. What dedication. Good job Karel and team

[@Regimeshifts]

what a legend

[@buckmanriver]

This film did such a great job showing the story of the support crew working in sync with FKT runner. Incredible work.

[@user-vn8bo6mq5x]

What a mind blowing journey and accomplishment for Karel and his entire crew. Props to the videographers and editors for in incredibly well told and documented story!

[@waynearnold]

After hiking the trail myself this year, watching this documentary brought back a flood of emotions. Even though our journeys had significant differences, what Karel and his crew accomplished is truly remarkable, especially considering the additional miles they had to cover due to re-routes and the high snowpack. I am grateful that this successful attempt was documented, and I commend Karel for his unwavering determination and resilience.

[@SigfridSWE]

Hey man! Hope everything is good in England! Best regards from Worth it (SigfridOfSweden)

[@waynearnold]

@@SigfridSWE All is good. I'm starting back at work on Monday and dreading it. Awesome to see you connect the dots and make it to the end. Huge congrats and hope you and your family are doing well.

[@sherrylynbranchaw5452]

So first you and Joren go off into the wild with no idea what you're doing, figure it out as you go along, and set the record ANYWAY, and then you come back better prepared with a larger crew, but in a year of maximum snowfall and a crazy wildfire detour...and you crush the record! Do you have wings on your feet, Karel? About the documentary: I really enjoyed it! I would have paid full movie price, but hooray for free KZbin access. After a 10-year break due to a foot injury, my recent discovery of ultrarunning documentaries has gotten me back into...we'll call it micro-running, at least to start with :'D. Wholehearted thanks to everyone involved--on this documentary and all the ultrarunning documentaries, videos, etc.--for the inspiration as well as the entertainment. You should have seen me yesterday: "Should I take an umbrella? ...Self, did Karel Sabbe have an umbrella? Did John Kelly have an umbrella? No more excuses, run UP that hill!" In conclusion, mad props to runner and crew alike. You all are amazing, and I'm glad there are filmmakers to document just how amazing.

[@mjirving29]

I got to meet Karel on trail as he passed me in the Carson Pass area of the Sierra. So great to briefly meet you and be a tiny part of this with giving beta on the trail ahead as we were sobo. Your kindness matched what I see here in the video. -GoalTech

[@beeclimbing9954]

Great achievement and great documentary of it. What consistently blows my mind with Karel's trail achievements is that he's not a full-time sponsored athlete living at altitude; he's a husband, father and dentist living in one of the flattest European countries - and somehow he makes the time, trains and makes his dreams realities.

[@taylorross862]

Beautiful! What a healthy and flourishing dynamic in this crew under such high pressure

[@lachlan84]

love this dude, was so stoked to see him finish the Barkley Marathons recently too

[@erikpoelmans2371]

Wat een fantastische docu, ik heb er lang op gewacht, Karel en crew, jullie zijn echt de Max, Willem, mijn zoon heeft de eer gehad 30 km met je kunnen mee te lopen in Oregon, groetjes van je collega tandarts in Hasselt. Bedankt voor alles

[@xmetal280]

An incredible accomplishment. Everyone involved is an absolute monster! Holy cow, I can't imagine having to take a huge pack 20 miles in the mountains to meet up and resupply Karel, who had done 60 miles. Goodness, the effort needed is mind boggling.

[@yc_exploring]

I had the opportunity to meet karel and crew on trail this year. karel had just ran california in less than 30 days. it took me 3 times that lol. i chatted with his crew and anna gave me an orange soda. a few hours later i saw karel and henri at a water source, chatted for a minute and they ran off after a selfie. such friendly people. such an incredible achievement. congratulations guys!!!

[@PyllaitWanniang]

😊lllp😊

[@arfanali1093]

G0

[@SharadGangurde-yt1lk]

शननशध़़ननशशौशननननननधध नन नन ननंशनशंशं नौ नंश्शननोनश नन शंनंननन शनंं नननशंशशशशनंंशनंंन्ननऩन्ननन नशंशशशंशश नननंं नननंं नननंं नशोशननध नंं नन नन न शशशंनंननशंन शंऐन न्न्ं शंनंननननौ नशऩ

[@SharadGangurde-yt1lk]

नंओशनश़नननननंऩननशनननोनंन्ननन्ँनंंन्ंनननँनननननंन्नननशशशशोशश शंनंननन ंौं नननंं नन नन ंऔँँं ननँौँंँनंं ं वोशं़ंंंओऔओऔऔओऔंऔंऔऔऔ नननंं ंऔओंंऔऔओ और औ़ऐशौओ़झंओओऔ़श नननंंन शंनंननननौ

[@MdRakib-fp1hf]

হঞ

[@richardhamilton8600]

Unfreaking believable! What an amazing accomplishment! And he is one of the most humble and respectful humans alive. Love his support team! Way too cool!

[@valerietheuns2365]

Yes! I've been looking forward to this. Karel Sabbe is an absolute legend!!!

[@Fabio-Correr-eh-Viver]

Congratulations from Brazil. So inspiring. I'm about to run my 30th marathon in 2 weeks, and this video is super inspiring!

[@ianvanleeuwen5218]

Karel is the man. What an insane accomplishment. Also great music and amazing shots by the film team!

[@calebhawkins4030]

Thank you Karel and crew for such an awe-inspiring experience!

[@taylorbuck5131]

Incredible film! Karel and team are such an inspiration.

[@pathalderman7051]

Wow! I have no words to express my admiration of Karel and his crew. What a joy to watch this video.

[@louislacroix5805]

Really enjoyed this film, definitely inspiring. Thanks to everyone who helped make it and showed what is possible with great discipline and team work.

[@wesselbouterse2753]

Simply extraordinary! Congratulations Karel and Crew with achieving such a feat!

[@buckeyejen1076]

By far the best ultra-distance movie! Congratulations, Karel and crew, on your monumental accomplishment! Bravo! ❤

[@nacforadventure]

What a huge feat and a beautiful film!! 🙌

[@MrImcmillan]

So incredible what the human body and mind can accomplish.

[@peaksandpaws]

This is just insanely amazing! I just keep adding something sooo very important about this record. He did it 5 days faster than the previous record, even though it was the HIGHEST SNOW YEAR EVER and he had to do a BIG DETOUR!!! That just makes me wonder how much faster he could have been if that all hadn't been "in the way"! Simply amazing; I am absolutely blown away by what he achieved! Absolutely great job also to the crew who managed to keep him moving at that pace every single day! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU!!

[@manoharbhoir6057]

U😊

[@austinado16]

Absolutely incredible! Thank you so much for everything that went into making the video and showing the journey so professionally. Karel is an incredible athlete. The entire crew...amazing!! I'm just speechless.

[@user-xw7hi7cg5j]

Just one word: AMAZING!

[@__Dre]

Incredible film, what an accomplishment!

[@paulo.bragoni]

What a journey!! Amazing to watch, unbelievable what he and his crew did. Congrats to all!

[@nickvwn]

Love this, i watched the movie after listening to a few podcasts about the whole event. It really makes you think differently. I can honestly say that Karel had an actual impact on my personal mindset.

[@eenee10]

What an inspiration! Thank you Karel for sharing this epic journey with us. Your team is amazing! So selfless! Their willingness to support you says a lot about the kind of person you are. Great documentary!

[@bartramdilks26]

Wow!! That was both amazing and crazy at the same time. Congratulations to Karl and all of his team, well done!

[@doublebasshq]

This is so great!! Loving following along with this journey. ❤

[@shelbykleiman5327]

Such an inspiring story. So cool to see what the body is capable of and how far you can go with the support of such a great team. I'm blown away by Karels accomplishment and how beautiful this film is!

[@kellymccarter6032]

Wow!! You all are amazing!!!! Cannot even imagine the true struggle and dedication. Simply amazing!!

[@garywilson1688]

After meeting Karel, Henri and Kobi on the trail I was hooked and followed their progress to the end (tried to meet you guys at the end but I was a couple days early and had to get to Vancouver for a boat trip). Henri's web site showing the progress made it so interesting. The rain in the Sierras when I told you it wouldn't rain - I hope you forgive me :) Also, that detour you had to take because of the fires. I was wondering how you and the crew handled it. This movie answered a lot of questions for me. Beautifully filmed. Great that your wife and son were there for support. Amazing accomplishment!

[@jolienvanderlee4383]

Gefeliciteerd Karel! And thank you for this amazing film. It's wonderful how you guys show not just Karel's performance and hardships but everyone and everything behind the scenes that helped to make this happen!

[@christophervanaman4690]

Fantastic documentary! Please make another one! Karel and the crew are incredible people.

[@luannedimaggio7025]

You are so humble, your crew was top notch. So glad you love our country. The US is proud of you.

[@vanessawillson713]

Absolutely incredible Karel! And what a team by his side!

[@ChrisL-iw6zp]

This is so insane! Such an amazing outlook on suffering and life.

[@Cindyscrossstitch]

Amazing - this was a team effort and he was so grateful for them. Beautiful documentary 👣🌻

[@joshwalton1903]

Awesome journey and effort from the whole crew! I was sitting in my office crying and clapping as he finished.

[@ittotaq]

whos the cameraman??? They had to run, carry and film everything on TOP of mountains so you know they had to go up there

[@user-fu7rj1qj3q]

A great film and an epic accomplishment (by runner and crew) and they really appreciated The Trail.

[@davidstrauss4808]

This is simply amazing. It should be shown in any leadership classroom. Beating the record by 10% (!) despite unfavorable conditions in the High Sierra due to snow and a 100 mile detour in Washington due to fire. For sure one of the greatest physical endurance achievements of all times. Inspirational.

[@vevirumohr4994]

Absolutely insane. Well done Karel, a truly inspiring record.

[@dorianmerrill]

This is such an aspiring story. Congrats to Karel and team!

[@zaerdy]

The feat is incredible and the cinematogrpahy is gorgeous!!! Congratz to everyone and thanks for so much inspiration!!!

[@ryanwhite6859]

What a Machine. Thanks for the Inspiration.

[@RivnatZille]

What a breathtaking and awe inspiring journey. Everyone did an amazing journey! Congrats for the new record!

I really admire your will and determination. Congratulations on this great achievement

[@timdeclercq7877]

Tot tranen toe bewogen! Karel, na al die jaren ben je gewoon nog steeds die immer spontane kerel. Alleen draag je nu de stempel van een looplegende. #respect

[@chrisjuarez72]

Congratulations. Great documentary. Awesome crew. OneGear, PCT 16, AT 19

[@brettandrewclarke]

This is a gorgeous film. What an effort. What a team.

[@KevinSmith-wr1sy]

OMG what an amazing feat and experience! Congrats to everyone involved. ❤

[@amyfriesland723]

Such an amazing accomplishment and a beautiful journey!! Thank you for sharing this!!

[@marceetaylor3873]

This guy is a beast!! Love this!

[@thejerkyshack8040]

I bet there is an 80% chance the biggest reason he went supported was so someone could charge his electric toothbrush.

[@gabscar1]

Great video and great people. Truely inspiring. Thanks!

[@c-radical2336]

Epic journey and epic crew! What a story to share. Congratulations on the result, absolutely incredible.

[@matthieumehuys2314]

woooow, what an adventure and world record!!! congratulations to Karel and the great Team!

[@barlowwe]

This is so unbelievable and everyone included in this video is so inspiring! I loved every minute!

[@kellerbrett]

Truly amazing! I think I was the last hiker you passed before hitting the northern terminus (about 4k from the border), and you were still running and smiling!

[@goodandgreen]

Excellent score, the soundtrack makes the vistas even more thrilling!

[@tinaormuz7258]

Absolutely incredible journey!!! Legend!! Can’t wait what other adventures you will take on in the future 🙌🏻🤩

[@cannuckchick7522]

Just WOW!!! Congratulations to all of you!

[@Clarkyson]

What an amazing, inspiring story!

[@ZeroHiking]

I'm in awe. This is a crazy achievement!

[@SunWindSnowRain]

Thank you for a wonderful film and displaying the emotions you all went through ❤

[@kendallzylstra5957]

This really exceeded my expectations 🤯 what an impressive feat

[@connectionsmovement]

Cant even wrap my head around the feat Karel achieved. Thats so many miles haha, great work film crew for crushing it alongside too!

[@johnmurray9725]

This is amazing. Well done Karel and team.❤

[@zhukov43]

I am absolutely in awe, wow.

[@PieterJanDelbecke]

This was awesome!!! Fantastic!

[@janinecarlos1718]

Amazing. Well done to all of you.

[@niceescamill6902]

Awesome and congratulations TO YOU AND EVERYONE THAT SUPPORTED YOU ALL THE WAY!!. 🎉❤

[@monikaalvarado1578]

You are amazing!!! Such an inspiration! 💪 thank you for sharing. 🤙🏼👍🏼🙌 kudos to the team! 🙌

[@arnogoossens1]

So clear this was a team effort, well done, amazing performance and thanks for the great video, super nice to see the images after folowing you daily on Twitter, thanks 🙏

[@aaroncheatwood1]

How amazing! I'm glad I waited to watch so that KZbin's processing could catch up and got the 1080P experience. To those who mentioned 360P, reload now and it's so much better. Surely the higher res options are still coming too.

[@backcountry]

It is now available in 4k!

[@AshRolls]

Very impressive and inspiring. Karl is such a humble and likeable person. I found it very sad though seeing all the fire damage, the beauty of nature being destroyed by humans and our fossil fuel addiction.

[@bryan5213]

What an accomplishment for the entire crew! 👏

[@bencork2395]

Wow, totally blown away. Unreal what some people can achieve. Congratulations

[@stephancarlson7489]

wowowow this is the most incredible running video I have ever seen. incredible work to all involved in the attempt and the film!

[@Thenomadicbrewer]

Second time watching this and it is just so inspirational!

[@FragenAnsLeben]

Unfathomable everyone. Wonderfull inspiration.

[@robbiecrace9450]

This will go dowin in history as one of the greatest youtube videos ever... Well done gang!

[@lisarenee92]

This is magic.

[@johnmalenchek6597]

Karel accomplishments at Barkley and the PCT elevate him to a elite group of super human athletes. Congratulations to him and his team!

[@cedricvanderstukken2722]

What an absolute hero

[@Daywalk3r]

What an awesome documentary! Wonderfull scenery, wonderfull people, epic record ❤

[@christiannadeau6687]

Wow! What a great achievement to all of you🎉