Running Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness (Sub 24 Hour FKT Challenge)

On August 4th, 2023, I set out from Monson, Maine, attempting to run an unsupported fastest known time (FKT) on the vaunted 100 Mile Wilderness section of Maine's Appalachian Trail.
This section of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail is famous for its extreme remoteness, intersected only by a few old logging roads. Due to this factor, it has recently garnered more attention from both thru-hiking and trail-running communities as a formidable test of endurance.
My goal was to complete this trail section in under 24 hours without any assistance. I would carry all my gear and food, set no resupplies, receive aid from no one, have no pacers, and take water only from the streams and rivers I passed.
Ultimately, I was able to set the fastest known time (unsupported), but I fell short of my primary goal of finishing in under 24 hours. This short video captures some of my experiences, emotions, and takeaways at various stages of the route over 29+ hours.
Please forgive my relatively poor editing skills. I brought the GoPro last minute and am still a novice at creating a coherent story and captivating visuals. However, I plan to keep improving with future projects in mind, such as a return to the 100 Mile Wilderness.
To all the outdoor enthusiasts and fkt enthusiasts, or even very specifically, the Maine backpacking community - I hope you get some entertainment out of this one. Let me know what you think!
And if you're curious to learn more about my thoughts on the 100 Mile Wilderness, check out the episode I recorded on the Singletrack Podcast about my run in August 2023.
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[@runsingletrack]

Thanks for watching! Any fellow veterans (hikers or runners) of the 100 Mile Wilderness out there? I'd love to hear about your experiences on this section of the trail. I want to return ASAP for another go!! - Finn

[@quirkworks4076]

No hype. No background music. No silliness. Just honesty and hard work. Bravo, sir.

[@runsingletrack]

I appreciate that!

[@chuckhazzard7295]

That is one kick ass section of the AT. Way to tough it out.

[@runsingletrack]

Appreciate it! And totally agree..I don't exactly know why yet, but I keep coming back to it (and there's a lot of great sections of the AT to go to instead, for sure)

[@samholder196]

I have SUCH vivid memories of this from my SOBO thru in 2007. Took us 17 days lol. Incredibly formative and piercingly memorable.

[@runsingletrack]

massive respect for that effort..basically living in the 100 mile wilderness for that stretch (17 days) kinda sounds awesome to me..I'm sure you got to know it on a level most hikers and trail runners can't quite appreciate

[@johnborton4522]

It's not an adventure if you know how it ends. What an effort. Kudos.

[@runsingletrack]

well said..that's one of the primary reasons why I keep coming back to this route..its not automatic yet

[@RunningSchu]

I don't know you personally and yet I'm kinda proud of you as a fellow runner/human being if that makes sense 😌 Amazing challenge, the trails there just look plain tough. I love that you wanna go back right away. Best of luck!

[@runsingletrack]

hahahaha that actually kinda makes my day to read..glad we can relate

[@Kelly_Ben]

Fantastic run! The pity party was so relatable! "This is awful, why do I do this to myself!?" Then hopping on ultra sign up on the way home. 😂 I live/ hike/ run in New England, and have always wanted to check out this part of the AT. Looking forward to more of your adventures, in addition to your podcasts!

[@runsingletrack]

Thanks so much for watching! And you would love this section of the AT..it's so special, I try to return every eyar

[@christopherorman5769]

Trail running like this really lays bare our sense of self and what comes out is sheer, unfiltered honesty. Thanks for sharing that with us (though I wonder if you would have run better in the Zegama 2s??).

[@runsingletrack]

I did have some feet issues, but they were my bad..I took the wrong size Speedlands with me..otherwise, I was pretty satisfied with the shoe! Zegamas are great though, can't argue with that haha..thanks for tuning into this by the way, honesty was what I was going for

[@christopherorman5769]

@@runsingletrack I was just reaffirming my fanboy love for the Zegama 2s!

[@bk3n]

Love how intense and visibly present you appear in this one. Same as following your Cocodona. Radiates respect for the effort and for wild places.

[@runsingletrack]

Hahaha! Not sure I could have faked it, even with the camera turned on..it was mostly a sufferfest that day..thanks so much for tuning in (and for following along at Cocodona too)..amen to efforts in wild places as well

[@adamgraney5817]

Great video Finn

[@runsingletrack]

Thanks, Adam!

[@jtcollins2112]

EPIC. This is tremendous. Thanks and nicely done.

[@runsingletrack]

Thanks! Labor of love out there

[@codyrobinson5130]

Solid effort and what a fun way to follow along. It was cool to watch you rally and get er done, man. You're an inspiration, and who knows, maybe you'll return one day and get that sub 24😊 cheers, dude!

[@gwilymeades]

Great video, way to keep pushing through! Especially in some trying conditions and all alone. Very inspriring!

[@runsingletrack]

Thanks! Honestly, the suffering is made a little easier thanks to the majesty of the route

[@scottdembowski1082]

Sacred ground ❤️favorite AT section. Awesome run bro

[@runsingletrack]

right?! so sacred..me too (favorite section)..thanks for watching

[@hanssaunders3490]

Proud of you, Finn. This is very inspirational.

[@runsingletrack]

thanks so much for watching

[@sebastianchiu]

great video finn, thanks for sharing the adventure with us!

[@runsingletrack]

appreciate ya watching!!

[@grennangoeshiking]

Well done, not what you were looking for time wise, but still. 🎉🎉🎉

[@runsingletrack]

Hoping for sub 24 hours one day! In the meantime, I'm gonna keep trying as best I can

[@Wookzach]

really like how you added the suffering and bad thoughts too. we all have them at some point on a run.

[@runsingletrack]

Thanks! They were there for quite a while..next time around, I'm hoping to smooth out the bad sections a bit better

[@tommilam6320]

I don’t even know what to say. Incredible Finn, thanks for being so transparent and honest on this. Felt every step you were taking. ❤️💯

[@runsingletrack]

Thanks so much for the kind words..glad the transparency was felt

[@tommilam6320]

You bet! Very inspiring!

[@yorkbeachrunner]

Wow🎉impressive! So beautiful! And rugged! And rocky! Great job! Love that you already want to go back!thx for filming it🎉

[@scotthickenlooper]

more of this 🎉

[@jeansabater3916]

Finn the athlete is a badass! Thanks for exploiting the non-media side of you! I thought you were doing a ketone shot, but it was mouthwash 😂

[@runsingletrack]

Hahahahaha..I shoulda gotten shots of the ketone shots too 😂😂

[@matthewmcguire8263]

Great stuff. I'm renting a lean-to at Baxter State Park mid August and planning a double traverse jog/hike of Katahdin. If you're interested let me know!

[@runsingletrack]

Gosh, I totally would..unfortunately, I'm gonna be in Salt Lake all summer this year

[@GusFromDaysPast]

Does the 100-mile winderness end at Abol bridge or the top of Mt. Katahdin? You covered so much ground in 24hrs. That was nuts. Congrats. Takes most 40+ hrs I think.

[@runsingletrack]

ends at Abol Bridge! thanks so much for watching

[@studiohost]

I didn’t know you ran!?!

[@runsingletrack]

not well! but yes, I'm a runner

[@dickensrivers9862]

time splits would be good

[@runsingletrack]

You’ll have to check the Strava file for this one..as I get better at video editing, I’ll include splits in future vlogs! Thanks so much for watching

[@bretthornig]

Did you...swallow the mouthwash?

[@runsingletrack]

hahahahaha...no comment

[@williamondrey2833]

Dirigo

[@runsingletrack]

Yes!!!!