In mid-September, trail runner Tara Dower completed the fastest known time ever of the Appalachian Trail, starting her run in Maine on August 12th, 2024. To complete all 2197.4 miles of the trail, it took Tara 40 days 18 hours 5 minutes, breaking the existing record by around a day.
Filmmaker Emily Cameron captured the last half-day of the record on camera, creating a film documenting the last 12 hours. It captures the energy of the group, a group clearly exhausted yet triumphant, as Tara reaches towards the finish line. If you’ve got 7 minutes, it’s an incredible watch.
“At 5:47 AM on August 12th, 2024, Tara Dower began an attempt to set the Fastest Known Time (FKT) of the Appalachian Trail. After 40 days of relentless progress, this film follows her through the final, crucial 12 hours of her journey. Tara was not alone in this journey – this remarkable feat would not have been possible without the unwavering support of her crew, who helped guide, motivate, and sustain her every step of the way. Ultimately, Tara made history on September 21st, 2024 at 11:53 PM by setting a new overall Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Appalachian Trail in 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes.“
