Scott Jurek Appalachian Trail Record Attempt

Does anyone have more details on the current record by Jennifer Pharr? Is it certain that the trail wasn't Rossi'd? I don't see how a top tier ultra runner with total support crew could barely be ahead of her pace.

Here's the spreadsheet:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vh92xpsn7331f4h/Jurek.xlsx?dl=0

It has JPD's daily splits and more details - plus a couple of graphs comparing Scott's attempt and JPD's

oh please wrote:

Does anyone have more details on the current record by Jennifer Pharr? Is it certain that the trail wasn't Rossi'd? I don't see how a top tier ultra runner with total support crew could barely be ahead of her pace.

Isn't Scott almost 30 miles ahead of JFD's pace? Seems like fair amount really. At this pace he could break her record by almost 2 days.

There are a few reasons why an accomplished runner such as Jurek might not be vastly superior to JFD. I think it is important to remember that running is really hard on your body. Primarily walking (JFD style) could be more sustainable than a run/walk style (Jurek). In addition, this type of record does not require the speed of someone like Jurek. For example, to travel 48 miles/day you could walk just 3 mph on average (pretty reasonable) for 16hrs per day leaving you with 7-8 hrs of sleep each night. On the other hand, if only time walking/running was recorded and sleeping was omitted, no doubt someone with Jurek's talent would destroy JDF's record by an obscene amount.

The PCT record got broken by unsupported hikers a few years back. The Tortise approach does indeed work.

As these things get more competitive, it'll end up being kinda like the RAAM, where the winner is chosen largely based on ability to do without sleep, and process calories in that state. Oh, and suffer through horrible pain for days on end.

autoxfil wrote:

The PCT record got broken by unsupported hikers a few years back. The Tortise approach does indeed work.

As these things get more competitive, it'll end up being kinda like the RAAM, where the winner is chosen largely based on ability to do without sleep, and process calories in that state. Oh, and suffer through horrible pain for days on end.

And I'm sure everyone will be surprised and shock that said person experiences multiple heath concerns.

Scott passed the various AT half way points yesterday (i.e., during Day 23)

So if he ends up with a negative split or an even split he will definitely break the current record (46 full days plus ~11 hours)

How much of a positive split he can have and still break the record is the question...

here's the latest spreadsheet:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vh92xpsn7331f4h/Jurek.xlsx?dl=0

here's a photo of him at the half way sign:

https://www.facebook.com/ScottJurek

ETA for NY ?

It looks like he'll be in NY between next Monday and Wednesday - based on JDP's splits in the spreadsheet.

Your best bet is to watch his facebook page (it's public so you don't need to belong to facebook to see it)

People post where and when they see him - and mention where he stops at night, etc.

I enjoy his Instagram account, which is pretty much the same as his Facebook. He sure looks thin, but he's always been a rather skinny guy. Best of luck to Scott!

50 State Challenge:

https://dannyharitan.wordpress.com/

Thanks look forward to seeing /cheering him . Just purchased 'Eat and Run' today .

oh please wrote:

Does anyone have more details on the current record by Jennifer Pharr? Is it certain that the trail wasn't Rossi'd? I don't see how a top tier ultra runner with total support crew could barely be ahead of her pace.

Her hike was simply more concise: did zero running, longest days possible, southbound direction to get the hard stuff out of the way, crewed by a spouse, experienced as an actual thru-hiker.

Until someone takes her lead and attempts it with the same intelligent attributes, the record broken will remain neigh!

Random question....

For normal hikers who do parts or all of the AT...what kind of jobs do you have that allows for these months long hiking trips?

Serious question. I've read lots about people doing the whole thing straight in 3-6 months or doing monthly segments and taking a few years to finish. Also, how does your family buy into this? Kids? I've read some make it a family event.

Alan

A large number of people have done the whole AT, but it's still a tiny percent of the population. Many more section-hike it, taking years to finish.

Those that take 3-6 months and just slog it out are an extremely varied bunch, but among those I know/have met/have read about, you find themes such as:

Jobs:

-unemployed/between jobs

-college students

-teacher or seasonal work

-sabbatical from a steady career (most common, among people I know, but there's almost certainly a strong selection bias there). I know I could do this with my job with sufficient heads-up (like 1yr+)

Family:

-single

-supportive family that will wait at home

-supportive family that cheers them on and meets them many times along the trail

Also note that something like 70% of people quit partway after starting their thru-hike attempt.

Maybe this is something I do when I'm retired. Lol. Already had my mid-life crisis when I joined the Army at 32. Maybe if I stay 20, retire at 52, then attempt it.

Alan

The thing that bugs most about the AT is the rules. On certain sections, you must use their lousy mouse infested shelters. Because tents are just soo damaging to the environment!

iMO, those shelters are disasters waiting to happen. with the mouse poop and unsanitary conditions. Remember the Yosemite cabin outbreak?

runningart2004 wrote:

Maybe this is something I do when I'm retired. Lol. Already had my mid-life crisis when I joined the Army at 32. Maybe if I stay 20, retire at 52, then attempt it.

Alan

I'm planning on doing this when I get out of the Army, hopefully via retirement in about ~28 years.

I know an older gentleman(50's) who's been hiking the AT by sections over the past 10 years and he's about half way done with it. He'll spend about 2 weeks, once a year, hiking the AT.

50 State Challenge:

https://dannyharitan.wordpress.com/

Scott's completed four weeks: 1384.1 miles

(as of last night - June 23)

= 49.4 miles per day average (for 28 days)

He has about two weeks to go.

An excellent spreadsheet here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vh92xpsn7331f4h/Jurek.xlsx?dl=0

The AT is approx 2,189 miles long with approx 515,000 feet of elevation change.

The current record (Jennifer Pharr Davis) is 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes.

Since the toughest parts (NH and ME) are still ahead of him, I'd like to see some big mile days between now and NH.

And I'm still hoping Dusty Olsen will pace Scott for the last week / last few days - that would be cool!

You are right, I need to talk less.

I care about you all. I hope I haven't offended anyone.

The end.