The 2024 Fastest Known Time (FKT) Awards are here, and they’re bringing us two jaw-dropping performances that deserve all the hype. This year, the spotlight is on Tara Dower and Kilian Jornet, two athletes who took their passion for pushing limits to outrageous new heights. Let’s unpack their incredible feats and see why they’re the talk of the trail running world.
Tara Dower: Crushing the Appalachian Trail
Tara Dower—name ringing a bell? It might not, but it should! Dower smashed the Appalachian Trail (AT) speed record in September 2024, covering the brutal 3,536 km (2,193-mile) route in just 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes. Not only did she obliterate the previous record, set by Belgian runner Karl Sabbe, by more than 13 hours, but she ran over 2,193 miles faster than most of us could finish binge-watching a new Netflix series. Let’s break it down.
The Appalachian Trail: 3,536 Kilometers of Challenge
The Appalachian Trail is no joke. Stretching from Mount Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, it’s one of the longest and toughest trails in the world. We’re talking 141,732 meters of elevation gain—that’s like summiting Mount Everest 16 times! The trail weaves through 14 states, testing runners with rocky climbs, dense forests, and relentless elevation changes. Finishing it is a massive achievement; breaking a record on it is next-level.
Dower opted for the southbound route, starting her journey on August 12 and finishing on September 21. This direction isn’t for the faint of heart—it meant tackling the toughest climbs and unpredictable weather early on. But Dower? She was ready.
The trail threw everything at her—intense fatigue, torrential rains, and moments of doubt that could break even the strongest runner. Yet, she pushed through. “The trail will humble you,” she said, “but it also teaches you how strong you really are.”
“I remember in 2021 when I was just a novice in the sport and viewed myself just as a major fan of FKTs and trail running,” she said in an Instagram post. “Never did I think I’d hold #1 FKT of the year alongide @kilianjornet. THANK YOU! So excited, thankful and flabbergasted.”
Her crew—a powerhouse team of women—paced, fed, and motivated her every step of the way. They dealt with logistical challenges and ensured Dower stayed strong through grueling days of running over 50 miles. “You can’t wing it on something like this,” she said. “Every decision matters.”
Dower wasn’t just chasing a record; she was also on a mission to inspire. With her all-women support crew, Dower set out to raise $20,000 for Girls on the Run, a non-profit organization that empowers girls through running. By the end of her journey, she’d nearly tripled that, raising over $55,000!
READ our full story on Tara Dower’s FKT HERE
Kilian Jornet: 82 Alpine Peaks in 19 Days
Kilian Jornet, the man, the myth, the mountain legend, has done it again. In 2024, he set an FKT that left the entire endurance world in awe: summiting the 82 Alpine peaks over 4,000 meters in just 19 days. Let’s put this into perspective: the previous record, set by Ueli Steck in 2015, took 62 days—and Steck used paragliding! Jornet? Just running and cycling.
The 82 Peaks: Mountains That Don’t Mess Around
These 82 peaks are scattered across France, Italy, and Switzerland, making them a bucket list for mountaineers and trail runners alike. They’re iconic, gorgeous, and absolutely brutal to climb. Kilian started his feat on August 15 in the Bernina range of eastern Switzerland, immediately clocking 423 km and 19,831 meters of elevation gain in just the first few days.
By September 2, he had completed the challenge, redefining what’s humanly possible in the Alps. The logistics alone were mind-blowing—he ran or cycled between every peak, making the entire journey self-propelled.
Training and Strategy: Jornet’s Winning Formula
Jornet’s preparation combined extreme physical conditioning with meticulous planning. He worked with researchers form Alpine Connection, NNormal, and Coros to analyze the physical and mental toll of his journey and fine-tuned every aspect of his approach. From memorizing technical climbs to optimizing his nutrition, every detail was calculated.
His updates on the NNormal blog, Strava, and Instagram let fans follow along in real time. “Every climb demanded absolute focus,” he shared. “You couldn’t think too far ahead; it was all about managing the moment. The 4000m peaks were just the framework. The real journey happened inside.”
