Smashing the Appalachian Trail Speed Record With an Ultra-Distance Legend

In September 2016, ultra-distance running legend Karl Meltzer set the speed record for traversing the iconic Appalachian Trail-a beastly 2,190-mile-long, 14-state trek through the eastern United States. Starting from Mount Katahdin in Maine, he reached the trail’s southern terminus on Georgia's Springer Mountain in an incredible 45 days, 22 hours and 38 minutes. Having trouble with the math? That's ***47 miles a day***, including one uninterrupted 23-hour stretch. Meltzer didn't best the previous record by over 10 hours all by himself. As he says: "You really have to have a team; it's not just the one guy running."
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[@haidoan6433]

This guy is the real life forest gump

[@geollizzie2459]

I remember reading about this guy after he finished, that mileage a day on that uneven steep track is incredible!

[@jamesthomas1244]

I just walked to the fridge and got a cold beer.

[@Grahmps]

That dude must have legs of steel.

[@kalicondon7230]

*gump

[@itecnus3490]

When I was browsing, the title was cut off a bit so I thought it said "Smashing the Appalachian Trail Speed Record With an Ulcer". Clicked it since I thought that was pretty impressive.

[@BC-xs8dc]

Did about 6 miles on the AT today. So many hills and rocky terrain. The people that race the AT are amazing.

[@Baphometrose]

Wow, this guy is incredible. I can't even imagine how much of not just the physical endurance but to have the strong mental state to keep on going.

[@TrHoffma3242]

So impressive and so inspiring! To do a portion of the AT is on my bucket list. Maybe next year!

[@dextheknifenut]

Great story

[@rkr894able]

Just finished watching this documentary on Netflix! It's very inspiring and fascinating.

[@russhendrix9674]

I'm confused...if he hiked the Appalachian Trail where was his backpack, tent, food, sleeping bag, etc???

[@ZiKoN22]

don't mean to be a downer....but i'm surprised his knees aren't completely shot.

[@lazerman121]

All the runners I know over 50 have had knee replacements.

[@EpicUwU_]

Would be crazy if someone had enough endurance to sprint the whole thing

[@katieb239]

And here was me thinking I was hard core wanting to just walk it

[@drunkonlife.]

85 miles in one day? Holy Crap, that's 135 km!

[@dmx92145]

David Goggins' book lead me to this great warrior.

[@Onzafilms]

Inspirational

[@barretstanton4264]

Congrats! But god damn you for beating Scott jurek

[@AlpineShenanigans]

absolute monster

[@netron896]

wow. and im here thinking im so cool after running 10K

[@rizal148]

my question is how many dangerous animals he met at the journey?

[@CoderShare]

rizzal 37 On the AT the most you'll see is the butt of a black bear running off. It's a very well beaten path and very safe.

[@LearningToFly1000]

Now I need to know the brand of his shoes?!

[@rnrnrina]

80 miles??? 😱

[@alexvertikov4069]

1:13 Whats wrong eith my mans nipple? That looks like a picture perfect copy of a piece of pepperoni.

[@stevenmcmillian7784]

probably a nipple bandage to help prevent it from chaffing against his shirt

[@ViggoBauman]

Impressive but supported nonetheless. I start the trail in 3 weeks, come and watch!

[@jeffreydesich6415]

yeet

[@awesomful120]

Me after passing the pacer test

[@bahamajim1998]

Id b like . wish id done more squats!

[@annaswahyu9188]

dawg i cant even run for 2 km

[@BugVall]

Eyy

[@carpetsclean1]

Way to take something amazing,spiritual , beautiful and peaceful, and lower into a race where you appreciate nothing.

[@blong257]

So, how do you know this guy did not appreciate his experience? Does he have to conform to your way of thinking?

[@carpetsclean1]

@@blong257 Because he ran by it all, as fast as he could, purposely getting it over as fast as possible.. like swallowing chocolate whole as food and not savoring it like a treat.

[@carpetsclean1]

@@blong257 Its not a way of thinking, it is just the truth. Kinda how people cant grasp that America voted for our current president. But yet he was elected.. and from your comment i cant tell you are one that cant grasp.

[@vic5828]

I respect you for being able to break the record however, being that you were supported the entire distance takes away from it. It isn't the same as if you hiked it unsupported and broke the record. I have not done the hike yet but when I do it will be unsupported. I won't break any records but I will enjoy the hike, the scenery and the experience.

[@michaelgrimes5588]

Victor Burk I agree, but my friend, many disagree with us. to be honest I don't think that really counts at all. or it only does in that category, it's a grey area for sure. but until someone can come out and price them wrong, I gotta tip my hat. someone someday will el Capitan it. Google el capitain record climb if you don't get that.

[@nishanthsomashekar676]

respecto✔️

[@johntuttle4486]

Who cares how fast!

[@michaelgrimes5588]

I am going to complete the in less than a month. 3 years time. you are rolling your eyes now. just remember, less than a month.

[@adamiskandar2788]

Who's here before any dislike

[@jobindeez]

10th

[@ADee-iz9pv]

Be careful of the werewolf

[@felixy6223]

6th

[@yunhxpeofficialyt5114]

Second comment

[@bachelorbob96]

The first one to finish is the first one to go home. That makes this guy the biggest loser to have ever done the entire A.T. Note that it took me 203 days. I wish it had taken twice as long.

[@Eyedbythetiger]

Supported FKT’s are worthless. Honestly it’s quite deceptive to be bragging about FKT’s on long hikes when there isn’t any gear to carry.

[@seahpo6737]

Isaac George This record was broken by an unsupported attempt I believe by String Bean this past summer

[@mrattheinu9191]

first