Joe McConaughy torched the entire Appalachian Trail in 45 days, 12 hours and 15 minutes to set a new world record for the fastest thru-hike, meaning he covered every inch of the 2,189-mile trail that runs from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.
The 26-year-old former Boston College cross country runner and track athlete from Seattle did the hike entirely self-supported with a 25-pound backpack carrying his tent, sleeping bag and a ration of food and water. He would stop in towns along the trail to pick up more supplies as he needed them.
McConaughy averaged 48 miles per day and endured nasty weather, painful blisters and excruciating leg and hip pain due to a couple of falls while on the trail.
“I am in shock and pain, joyful and thankful, humbled and tired, in disbelief and exhilaration,” McCougnahy said in an Instagram post announcing his finish on Sept. 1. “I will be forever perplexed and appreciative of what the wilderness brings out in myself and others.”
He was eating 9,000 to 10,000 calories a day to keep up with his energy expenditure. What would that look like? McCougnahy dedicated an Instagram post to that, too.
6am: 1000 cal.
7am-9pm: 4000 cal. 200-250 every hour, with a few “supplements”
9pm: 3000 cal.
Breakfast:
Muffin (600)
Banana chips (400)
Midday:
Cliff bar x3 (750)
Protein bar x2 (400)
Sleeve of Oreos (900)
Trail mix .25lb (650)
Almond butter cookie things x2 (360)
Snickers x2 (500)
Chips x2 (300)
Dinner:
Trail mix .75lb (1950)
Salami (900)
Chips (150)
McConaughy isn’t new to epic multi state hikes. He completed the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. During that one, he set a new speed record as well (2,660 miles in 53 days), but more important than that was why he did it.
McConaughy ran for his cousin, Colin McConaughy, who was 2 years old when he passed away from Neuroblastoma, a rare and incurable brain cancer, in January of 2012.
During the record attempt, he raised more than $28,000 for Cancer Care.
“Run For Colin is my way of celebrating Colin’s life, while raising awareness and funds for all of CancerCare’s completely free services for individuals, families and communities effected by cancer,” McConaughy wrote on the fundraising page.
A film team chronicled his Pacific Crest Trail run and the end product was up for Best Feature Film and Best Cinematography at the Trail Running Film Festival. You can watch the entire film here.
As for what’s next, McConaughy told Runner’s World, he was considering running Western States, a 100-mile trail race in California.
But, he’ll soak up and reflect on his latest accomplishment on the Appalachian Trail first.
Here are a few highlights from his adventure (Click on the photo for a description).
RECORD UPDATE: My location is revealed!! I am in Maine with 270 miles remaining on day 41. For a quick update, I got wrecked by the Whites. Blown up knees, quads, hammy, the works. I had 3 falls were I landed on part of my face, luckily to be safe there. I ran 1500′ down a mountain. It wasn’t on the AT so I lost 3 hours. This section puts my hopes in jeopardy, I’ll need to average 45 mpd from here on out to break the record, and southern Maine is regarded near as difficult as the whites. Time to carry on!! Now is when I start to make the big push, and I believe I can still finish in under 45 days!! At the very least, this recent spat let me have more time in the Whites, which resulted in a spiritual sunrise experience on Mt Mooselac, a beautiful and solitary (I didn’t see another soul) run over Franconia Ridge, the Presis were 🔥, and loads of support from @kekiracofe who helped me get through some really low moments, as well as loving texts from friends and family. Thank you all! It is still a good day to be alive! Look at previous posts for more deets on the Whites.
A post shared by Joe McConaughy (@thestring.bean) on Aug 26, 2017 at 9:53am PDT
45d12d15m – a new self supported and overall Fastest Known Time record on the #appalachiantrail. Greetings from the top of Katahdin at 6:38pm where I was greeted by 70 mile winds, hail, rain, mist, endless boulder scrambles, @kekiracofe and @josh.katzman. After a 37 hour push, i managed 110.8 miles straight to do what I had to do, more than I have run at once by almost 50 miles. I honestly don’t know what to say. I’m am in shock and pain, joyful and thankful, humbled and tired, in disbelief and exhilaration. I will be forever perplexed and appreciative of what the wilderness brings out in myself and others. I hope anyone watching is at least inspired to become more involved in the outdoors. Every day has been a battle, but I am very thankful to be safe and have accomplished my dream ever since the PCT. I’ve had a lot of time in my own thoughts, and what I took away most from this journey is community. It is the people you love and who surround you who provide the greatest joy. It really took a village. I want to give a heartfelt thank you to my lovely girlfriend, Katie, my parents and the Katzmans who came to the start/finish, friends and family who I have HEAVILY leaned on, hikers, trail angels and the trail community who have given me everything from sloppy Joe’s to an extra set of batteries to allow me to run through the night, @anishhikes and @meltzerkarl for pushing the FKT record, @efnorthamerica and @efcollegebreak for being an awesome company and letting me take time off work to pursue my dreams, to @heartbreakrunco, @brooksrunning, @palantepacks, @mountainlaureldesigns, and @cieleathletics to help me get here, and everyone who has followed or watched or commented. I’ve been brought to tears and laughter even though I may have never met you. Thank you all, Stringbean out. OOHYEAH!
A post shared by Joe McConaughy (@thestring.bean) on Sep 1, 2017 at 6:30am PDT
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