Just over a year ago Scott Jurek broke the Appalachian Trail speed record in bottle popping fashion atop Maine’s Mount Katahdin and now his former teammate is looking to share the glory by shattering the record himself.
Track Karl’s journey here: Red Bull AT Run
Since beginning the journey on August 3rd, Karl Meltzer has already completed half of the 2,190-mile trek and is well on his way to breaking Jurek’s record of 46 days, 3 hours, and 13 minutes. However, Meltzer is doing the course in reverse fashion, starting on the summit of Maine’s Mount Katahdin and heading south, averaging over 40 miles/day.
“Meltzer has completed 1,095 miles of the trail’s 2,190 miles – burning approximately 165,260 calories, taking 2,164,125 steps and averaging a speed of 3.1 mph.” – Red Bull Press Release
In just 19 days, the Red Bull sponsored ultra runner blazed through Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey before working his way south through Pennsylvania. His biggest obstacles moving forward include rising heat levels, injury management, and keeping the pace sustainable for a record-setting finish.
*Good luck Karl!