Counting in kilometers is easier right ? 800K per week X 6 = 4800 K in 42 days !
Next 4 weeks for PK were : 806-824-818-816... That's now the minimum job for the record ("union minimum" for a frenchman).
One of the main issues with comparing Trans con performances is, that all routes are different and the methods of counting the miles/kilometers have changed.
In the old times runners used map data and car odometer readings. Now its google maps and gps data.
Google maps is probably the most accurate but runners commonly use gps devices which have a inaccuracy of 1-3% I think. Which might explain most of the 90 mile difference between Stephane's planned route of 4781k/2971 miles and Pete's strava reported 3063 miles.
That also explains that Stephane's real gps kilometers are drifting away from his planned course. Yesterday, day 14 Stephane stopped at 1505.6 on his map but he has already "run" 1522.7 miles according to my math adding up the daily miles.
People think all that modern technologies are so accurate but funny enough they are not.
Transcon expert wrote:
That also explains that Stephane's real gps kilometers are drifting away from his planned course. Yesterday, day 14 Stephane stopped at 1505.6 on his map but he has already "run" 1522.7 miles according to my math adding up the daily miles.
People think all that modern technologies are so accurate but funny enough they are not.
Yesterday Stephane stopped at Km 1505.6 of his planned route and his daily run distance total (from his GPS watches) was 1526 K because he did not follow exactly his planned route : one closed route because of fire and some bypass because his planned shortcut looked risky.
Anyway what is the rule for coast-to coast record about start/finish and distance ?
There are no real rules but it seems a lot of people followed the Guinness book of records "guidelines" which made the US crossing from the San Francisco or the LA City Hall to the NYC City Hall.
Others liked to run from ocean to ocean. A lot of races started at a beach in LA and ended somewhere in NYC.
In my book it doesn't really matter. It's always a very long distance and no run will ever be exactly the same because of road works, bridges out or natural disasters like fire or flooding.
I see it more as a mythical goal and whoever runs/walks across a continent by fair means is a hero in my book.
FKT was bought by Outside magazine a few years back. Now Outside magazine was also bought by somebody and they got rid of staff and the print magazine.
No idea what is happening with the FKT website and who is monitoring that.
Day 15 111.8 K / 15h18' (total 1638 K). 1600 K / 14,5 days.
Today up to Buffalo pass > 10000 feet.
Weather looks good for that. On Oct 1th, 2017, Sandra Villines had to do a very hard 70 mile push to get over Rabbit Ears Pass to avoid the Pass closure.
Today there are still 60k of gravel roads ahead.
Day 16 97.5 K / 13h24' (total 1736 km). Had to stop because RV cannot go further on the trail and will have to bypass.
Day 17 start 4.10, Buffalo pass 7.11...
Transcon expert wrote:
Today there are still 60k of gravel roads ahead.
Yes looks like difficult gravel road.
If you look at the google reviews of the Buffalo pass road, it seems like it can be really bad. Of course that varies depending when the last grading was done.
Sometimes I drive those to get to trailheads for hiking but I have a decent clearing 4WD car. The main problem is that if you need help, it's difficult and expensive to get. Usually there is no cell phone reception out there.
For a Transcon, I would never pick a road like that unless you have knowledgeable local support. Rabbit Ears Pass would have been a much safer option.
Buffalo Pass is about 15 miles less than Rabbit Ears pass, not worth the stress and risk in my opinion.
Day 17 102 K / 16h03' (total 1838 K)
Sleepin̈g in WYOMING.
Day 18 start 4h57.
They made it through that tough gravel section. In the next days the altitude will drop from 7000ft in Laramie to 4000ft in Ogallala, NE and 1000ft in Lincoln, NE.
But it will be also much more boring running next to Interstate 80.
My understanding is Pete intentionally added the extra miles to be more apples to apples with the length of Frank's record that he was trying to beat. He cut north in Nebraska to bring him through his hometown in IA. This is the reason for Pete's route being longer. My understanding is he wanted the record as a comparable distance.
FKT states San Francisco City Hall to New York City Hall. This route is much tougher than LA to NYC since much more time spent in altitude. Also implies that the route should be at least 3000 miles.
Guinness rules are too loose when it comes to the route. Just has to be at least distance form LA to NY. But need to have 3 signed witness forms per day and 10 minutes video footage along with GPS data.
transconfollower12321 wrote:
My understanding is Pete intentionally added the extra miles to be more apples to apples with the length of Frank's record that he was trying to beat. He cut north in Nebraska to bring him through his hometown in IA. This is the reason for Pete's route being longer. My understanding is he wanted the record as a comparable distance.
I think SF City Hall to NYC City Hall is is comparable whatever the shortest route you take. Stephane chose to start from SF and not LA so that his crossing can be comparable to the record's one.
