Scott Jurek hikes entire Appalachian Trail in record 46 days, eight hours

Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek reached the summit of Maine’s Mount Katahdin on Sunday, completing the fastest ever hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek reached the summit of Maine’s Mount Katahdin on Sunday, completing the fastest ever hike of the Appalachian Trail, according to Runner’s World. 

Jurek, 41, hiked the entire 2,189-mile length of the trail in 46 days, eight hours, beginning on May 27 at Georgia’s Springer Mountain. He ran an average of 50 miles each day, traveling through 14 different states. 

Jurek has won numerous high-profile ultramarathons, including a string of seven straight victories in the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. He told Runner’s World at the start of his trip that this would be retiring from competition after traversing the trail.

Cheers!!!#EatAndRun #GeorgiaToMaine #EatAndRun pic.twitter.com/kNt20JkfLS

— Scott Jurek (@ScottJurek) July 12, 2015

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Jurek beat the previous record, held by Jennifer Pharr Davis, by about three hours, though the Appalachian Trail Conservancy does not recognize speed records. 

- Dan Gartland