Two years later, LA-based ultrarunner Brett Maune bested Johnston’s time by six hours, though her record still stands as the fastest women’s time despite efforts by some of the country’s best female trail runners, including Amber Monforte, 38, former Tahoe Rim Trail women’s FKT holder, and Jenn Shelton, 33, who rose to fame as one of the personalities in Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run. They set off from Whitney Portal on July 31, 1999. Bakwin appears young and playful. Going after an FKT is a little more complicated than just chasing KOMs on Strava. Sign In. If so, how much? Says Bakwin, “I think he just promoted the hell out of it. Find Camps & Activities for your Active Kids, Join the greatest online running community. Photo by Ken Etzel. “What we did was put multi-day trail running on the map,” he says. Last spring, a team of ultrarunners and ski-mountaineering racers ticked off the iconic Hardrock 100 route on skis. It would be a new fastest-known time. “Rickey’s buckle project will undoubtedly hold different meaning to each of us fortunate enough to possess one,” says Krar, 40, also from Flagstaff. It was a project that required research. “We were on target,” says Bakwin. Adding family members helps ACTIVE find events specific to your family's interests. Jornet appreciates what FKTs add to trail running. Meaning "Hike Your Own Hike," the idea that we should all live and let live on the trail. Footwear | Fitness Apparel | Outdoor Gear. “We weren’t really good athletes, but we were at the right place at the right time. and/or its affiliates and licensors. Our editorial and design team—and all of our contributors—are trail runners just like you who love the sport and want to share all the great things it has to offer. Shop: The difference between a supported, self-supported and unsupported FKT can get confounding. What I do next depends on the situation.”. Cookie Settings. Here in the U.S., a new generation of trail runners in Boulder, Colorado, are challenging the FKTs set by trail runner Anton Krupicka on the Flatirons, which include sections of technical rock climbing and rappel descents. Eventually, the ranger relented and Johnston rolled on, arriving at the JMT’s northern terminus in Yosemite Valley in a time of 3 days 20 hours. I Walk Sometimes. “Once he picked up the term ‘FKT,’ everyone picked it up, and the term went all over the world.”. “It was cool to pass on that last [buckle],” says Gates, who’s FKT on California’s Mount Shasta was bested last summer by Ryan Ghelfi. Then, just 23 miles from the end of the trail, a fierce hailstorm pounded the duo, forcing them off trail at Tuolumne Meadows. In parts 1 and 2, we covered the Bob Graham Round and The Pennine Way Challenge; check them out here in The Rise of the FKT: Part 1 and The Rise of the FKT: Part 2. “I was laughing. In South Africa, elite trail runner Ryan Sandes has been busy laying down FKTs on Capetown’s popular Table Mountain and on the Drakensburg Grand Traverse, a 125-mile route with no designated trail. By saying ‘fastest-known time,’ you’re leaving the door open for some great athlete who was off the radar and did it in the pre-Internet era.”. Does This Mean I'm Not a Runner? Bakwin now recommends anyone attempting a new FKT to use a GPS beacon, which transmits data every 10 minutes to a website. There isn't a formal race or event, and no race medals or crowns given out for setting a new FKT—just the sweet sense of accomplishment. route is notable and distinct enough so that others may be interested in repeating Copyright Policy After a night off, they returned and finished the JMT, pulling into Yosemite Valley in 4 days 9 hours, just off their target, but still good enough for a record—or, more accurately, the Fastest-Known Time. Using the trail name Anish, the 35-year old Seattle-based personal trainer and public speaker has ticked off FKTs on the 2,650-mile long Pacific Crest Trail, the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail and, this past November, the 800-mile Arizona Trail. Bertollini’s evidence was scant. “These are all FKTs that I thought that I could get, or that I did get.”. “Typically, someone will send me an email, saying, ‘I don’t believe this claim,’” says Bakwin. TK just set the FKT running from South Rim to North Rim on the Bright Angel … “[In Europe] we used ‘record’ for mountain speed climbs like the north faces of the Alps, and the Matterhorn, and also for long-distance trails such as the Corsica trail and the GR5. The previously held record of 15 days, 2 hours and 28 minutes was set in 2018 by Olga King. Even previous speed-record holders had conflicting accounts. I’ve always wondered whether fastest “known” time was the proper representation of the feat. What about “Fastest Reported Time,” as long as we don’t use the acronym FaRT? May 10, 2015. “Like the Matterhorn. “Did she cheat? Medical FKT abbreviation meaning defined here. In 1998, Boulder, Colorado, residents Peter Bakwin, now 54 and a retired physicist with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, and Buzz Burrell, now 65 and brand vice president at Ultimate Direction, tackled a speed attempt on the 500-mile-long Colorado Trail—the first of what would be many adventures together. With Jornet’s FKTs capturing both headlines and the public imagination, it wasn’t long before other trail runners followed suit. All rights reserved. Kilimanjaro. I went SOBO from the northern to southern border of Vermont. But there were gaps—big ones—in the records, including a vast blank spot from a 1948 attempt to the early 1980s. Heather Anderson is one such example. But we can’t do it without you. FKTs also have one particular advantage over trail races: they can take place on routes where large events would never be allowed by public-land managers. Since launching the effort, Gates has added women’s FKTs to the list. With no formal organization, trophies or gold-embossed certificates to frame and hang, it’s poetic that Gates, one of trail running’s most carefree personalities, has stepped in to contribute. Running Shoes|Fitness Apparel|Sports, Daily Deals: At this point my pair of FKT shorts have ~700 miles on them and more than a handful of epic wipeouts. I will say I am always intrigued by any FKT discussion or article and find myself reading about it. Joe ‘Stringbean’ McConaughy began the trail on July 17th at 6:31 am EST in Georgia, where he hiked the trail from South to North. In a race, though, competitors have the same rules,” he says. In the story he wrote, “We did what we had come to do—share an incredible experience, push our limits into unknown territory and traverse one of the world’s great trails.”, Burrell is quick to point out, however, that they were anything but pioneers. The route is 25% single track and 95% off road. That’s what makes the FKT community strong. ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. It’s a mind-boggler. “In an FKT, every person can make decisions: assisted or not? This might be an extreme example, but it serves to illustrate how so much more tha… For 20 years Trail Runner has committed to excellence and authenticity. It wasn’t exhaustion or injury that was stopping her, though. Ironically, it was Bakwin who got injured. Are those FKTs unsupported? Unless you’re tossing it from runner to runner, cheating becomes nearly impossible. Now, four years after Gates launched the FKT project, the buckles are all out of his possession. The FKT Phenomenon The Fastest Known Time (FKT) phenomenon started around 1998 when two men, Peter Bakwin and Buzz Burrell, decided to attempt to do the 500-mile Colorado Trail as quickly as possible, according to Trail Runner magazine. “I think if this [sponsorships and media attention] continues to Bakwin. trailrunnermag.com is completely free. It’s also a decision of logistics and experience that each runner gets to feel.”. Durability is key for me when considering trail … We showed that this could be fun and cool.”. See more. Sure. Pachaug Trail FKT Report by Ben Nephew “A Tough New England Trail… I said, ‘I started the trail two days ago. Just wanted to chime in that as of September 17 of this year, Darcy Piceu took down Sue’s long-standing JMT time and is now the current female supported record holder! Jenn Shelton and krissy Moehl on a 2014 FKT attempt on the John Muir Trail, California. He ticked off all 2,190 miles of the AT in 41 days, 7 hours and 39 minutes, eclipsing by more than four days the previous northbound FKT set last year. In Part 3 of this series, we take a look at the famous LEJOG challenge, including the route, its history and the recent record-breaking attempts by ultra-runners Carla Molinaro and Dan Lawson.. On the same Sunday in 2016 that Meltzer topped Jurek’s AT record, a woman by the name of Kaiha Bertollini claimed to have bested him by 16 hours. Well, not quite. In a year with limited racing but plenty of fitness, former top road pro and now gravel racer Peter Stetina chose to focus on record attempts and FKT (fastest know times) as his competitive objective for this season and the legendary White Rim trail in Utah caught his attention when pro mountain biker Payson McElveen (Orange Seal Racing) set the standard last year and in the process, … The role of investigating uncertain claims isn’t one Bakwin imagined for himself. After two failed attempts in 2008 and 2014, Meltzer planned his third (ultimately successful) effort meticulously, and factored in plenty of support. Bakwin dropped out after 330 miles because of an injury; Burrell finished in 11 days, 16 hours, 13 minutes. In New Zealand, there are new FKTs on the “tracks,” or multi-day hiking routes. Join Active It was a pretty safe bet that Wood’s time was the fastest ever. Doug Mayer lives in Randolph, New Hampshire. I think I was in search of a project that would raise the bar for me.”. With few races being held this year, we've seen a boom in FKT attempts as runners look for ways to test their limits and give training a purpose. Privacy Settings For a year, they planned methodically. The route takes athletes from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, down to the Colorado River, up to the canyon’s North Rim and then back. Instead of a typical race with formal organization, aid stations, and spectators, FKTs are usually performed with little recognition and support. FKT Report: Appalachian Trail Four State Challenge by Iain Ridgway. Looking for online definition of FKT or what FKT stands for? Gates’ buckles are still on the move. During a moment captured on that 1998 trip on the Colorado Trail, Bakwin’s arms are outstretched in a field of flowers, with an, “Aren’t we lucky?” smile on his face. A well-known speed hiker set a new record on the Appalachian Trail on August 31st, hiking the 2,190-mile route in the fastest known time (FKT) of 45 days, 12 hours and 15 minutes. Since then the Pennine Way has massively grown in popularity, with several hundred thousand people annually travelling on the route. Doug Mayer “If someone makes a judgement and says you received support, and your FKT doesn’t really count as an unsupported effort, fine,” says Burrell. Dubiously fast claims that have been withdrawn after scrutiny? Careers “The New York Times called and sent a photographer to my house!” adds Bakwin. GPS watches were just coming into vogue, and Strava was not far behind. Bakwin’s FKT site holds stories from around the world. So, Burrell started describing Wood’s effort as the “fastest-known time.”, “We needed a term that paid homage to the people who came before,” Burrell says. Do Not Sell My Personal Information He is the owner of Run the Alps, and owns several FKTs to undisclosed locations with warm croissants in the Alps. ... What the heck does that mean? Ten days after his summit he posted the following on a Fastest Known Time Pro Boards forum: “Yo … Jornet wanted to run trails in the United States, and was trying to decide between the John Muir Trail, Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim and California’s Tahoe Rim Trail. Within a decade, both would be nearly ubiquitous, allowing runners around the world to lay down their own FKTs, challenging neighbors and visiting runners alike. Episode 20: Candice Burt - 200mi race creator and Wonderland Trail FKT-holder. From marketing exposure to actionable data Iain Ridgway. Ben Nephew. They have become quite popular among endurance athletes in recent years as competition increases among athletes who are … Not its singularity, but its multitudes.”. Look for this banner for recommended activities. The following summer, they began eyeing a record on the JMT. Checking the seams and stitching throughout, and looking at the fabric color, I would guess a fraction of that use. I think I’m going to make Red’s Meadow, barring tripping or breaking my leg.’”. In the trail-running community, however, Johnston’s record is called by a different name: a Fastest Known Time, or “FKT.” FKTs can range from travelling the classic long trails like the JMT or Appalachian Trail, to sprinting up local highpoints like Boulder’s Bear Mountain or Alaska’s Mount Marathon. The FKT buckle was a reminder of an event that changed the course of my life.”. At first, he focused on the fastest-known times for long-distance trails: The John Muir Trail, the Appalachian Trail, the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim and Vermont’s Long Trail. On Bakwin’s FKT proboards website, the discussion about FKTs on the Appalachian Trail received 55,000 views—nearly 10 times the usual numbers. Kilian Jornet had good reason to think he could tick one off, too—the year before, he had won the prestigious Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc and was named champion of that year’s Skyrunning World Series. Episode 19: FKTOY Final Results. There isn't a formal race or event, and no race medals or crowns given out for setting a new FKT—just the sweet sense of accomplishment. FKT. “And then it was like, ‘Oh, well, I guess we’re done.’”. For three days, everything went as planned. “They’re on courses where you’re never going to have a traditional race for reasons of danger, logistics, legalities or all three.”, “With FKTs, there are no ambassadors or spokespeople,” Burrell says. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators. So, when he started doing FKTs, there was instant cred,” says Burrell. Cookie Policy F astest Known Time attempts (also known as FKTs) are, in the simplest terms, speed records for trails and established routes. “People can do what moves them.”. “We didn’t know what the fastest time was, and so the term was born. Your subscription to our print magazine or donation will help us continue down a path that is uncompromised, and keep the website free for trail runners like you. Burrell and Bakwin faced a conundrum. Wanting more collaboration, Bakwin launched a discussion forum at the humble, unwieldy address of fastestknowntime.proboards.com. “I hope it remains this organic, amorphous group. “Let that person make that judgment. The Vermont Long Trail is 273 miles long with 65,000ft of elevation gain. Burrell’s article and Bakwin’s website were catalysts for the FKT movement. Runners go … © 2020 Active Network, LLC and/or its affiliates and licensors. Jan 28, 2015. “But her case certainly pushes the boundaries of credulity.”. In 2016, Utah ultrarunning legend Karl Meltzer, 48, bested Jurek’s time on the AT by nearly 10 hours. But this is an FKT attempt, so additional fitness is going to be invested into additional speed. Last summer, former Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim FKT holder Rob Krar passed his buckle to Jim Walmsley, 27, from Flagstaff, Arizona, who bested Krar’s time by 26 minutes, finishing in 5 hours 55 minutes 20 seconds. In many places, trailheads are a day away. Maybe now we should say “fastest time on the internet”, but FKT is catchier! Long Trail Trip Brief. Professional race organizers became more commonplace, and lotteries were instituted for popular events. Jornet would later go on to own a dizzying array of FKTs like the Grand Teton and Mt. Support & Feedback As far as I know, the term Fastest Known Time came from Bill Wright, who said “fastest known time by me”, meaning maybe there were faster times but he personally didn’t know of any. Terms of Use I try to find that compromise between documentation, authenticity and staying true to myself and what I want from the experience.”, However the FKT community is not without shared understandings. “It’s about being able to persevere,” Meltzer says. And when we say long, we mean long. He dropped after 330 miles. A buffed trail is a smooth, runnable off-road trail, with few obstacles and typically over rolling hilly terrain, as opposed to steep, tricky rocky, muddy or uneven terrain. As summer 2009 approached, a 21-year-old trail runner from Sabadell in Catalonia, Spain, had his eye on an FKT on a long-distance trail in the United States. Plus, he has a shit ton of followers on social media.”. On an FKT like the AT, bad patches happen every day. Here’s How to Run in Public Without Feeling Embarrassed, Runners and Foot Injuries: 4 Causes of Foot Pain. Sign In, Join Active Instead, the team turned their attention to the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail, where Jornet quickly established an FKT of 38 hours 32 minutes. According to Meltzer, his sponsors chipped in nearly $100,000 to cover the cost of the project. “Then it’s kind of up to me. Bakwin points out that there’s yet to be a case of cheating that’s been proven. Today, all that’s left for the Summits of My Life are Russia’s Mount Elbrus and Mount Everest. Episode 19. In 2015, Scott Jurek, 43, set a new FKT on the Appalachian Trail, while millions followed his journey on social media. “You show up at a race, you just put on your shoes, grab a water bottle and go,” says Bakwin. So getting this number down to 150 would be entirely reasonable – for a long-distance hiker. Please see your Privacy Rights for how your information is used. or But, it’s all you need.”. Where’s your permit?’” Johnston says. ... but FKT action is now 24/7/365, so we may shift to a calendar year in 2021 and announce in mid-January. We were the spark plug. It was an honor to hear Lindsey’s story and we hope you’re as inspired by it as Stef and I were! Episode 18. Culturally, trail running was shifting, too. What does FKT stand for in Medical? He’s also hoping to expand the FKT’s to include Eastern routes, such as the Pemi Loop in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The Kokopelli Trail is known as the most beautiful bike packing route in the west. Right now, the consensus is: no. READ THIS NEXT: I Walk Sometimes. One result is that FKT claims now need stronger substantiation. Sitemap Privacy Policy The obstacle was dressed in green and nearly impenetrable. A lively discussion flourished. When someone goes for an FKT in your community, perhaps on a trail that you’ve personally run, it’s so much easier to relate to than a time or performance on a contrived race course of a particular distance. Bertollini was a blank slate, unknown to anyone in the FKT community. “A race is great because you can push yourself against other strong runners. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of participants in trail-running events more than doubled. I want the website to be a place where people can share these stories.”. First to go was Mont Blanc, from the Chamonix valley where he lived at the time. Inspired by the JMT experience, Bakwin expanded his research and added more findings to a corner of his personal website, asking for others to share information. 'Fastest Known Time' is one option -- get in to view more @ The Web's largest and most authoritative acronyms and abbreviations resource. Burrell, peering over his partner’s shoulder from a distance, looks to be gearing up for battle. 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