Ultramarathon runner Scott Jurek has broken the record for fastest Appalachian Trail hike, set by in 2011, by more than three hours. Jurek first climbed above Katahdin’s treeline around noon.
Jurek, who began his 2,180-mile journey north May 27 from Springer Mountain in Georgia, finished his trek in 46 days 8 hours 8 minutes, beating the previous record of 46 days 11 hours 20 minutes, which long-distance runner Jennifer Pharr Davis set in 2011. He had until 5:15 p.m. to get to Baxter Peak.
Last night, around 11 p.m., Jurek, who arrived in Maine on July 5, tweeted that he got his first look at Maine’s highest mountain. According to Delorme, which provided online updates of his progress, Jurek left the 100-Mile Wilderness and got onto the Golden Road early this morning.
People from across the country and world took to social media Sunday to cheer on Jurek during the final leg of the journey.
The Appalachian Trail record isn’t his first. In 2010, Jurek set the U.S. record for most miles run in 24 hours — 165.7 miles. He has also won the 153 mile Spartathlon, according to his website.
@ScottJurek has done more in the past few weeks than you’ve ever done. Ever. Congratulations Scott! #SJAT15
— Justin Stone (@DisnyRunr24) July 12, 2015
I’m a little bummed for now @JenPharrDavis but am also happy for @ScottJurek #SJAT15 #FKT
— Misti Little (@owilderness) July 12, 2015
Remarkable and astounding!!! Congratulations @ScottJurek for achieving your goal of breaking the Appalachian Trail speed record!!! #SJAT15
— Alex Ramsey ☮ (@barefootalex) July 12, 2015
Cheers!!! #EatAndRun #GeorgiaToMaine #EatAndRun pic.twitter.com/kNt20JkfLS
— Scott Jurek (@ScottJurek) July 12, 2015
Scott Jurek reached the summit of Mt. Katahdin at 2:03 pm local time. Breaks the Appalachian Trail Record in 3:12 hs. pic.twitter.com/0Zw1nxJxll
— iRunFar (@iRunFar) July 12, 2015
Here’s one more pic of Scott Jurek at the summit of Mt. Katahdin. He did it! #SJAT15 pic.twitter.com/OaZOObVYeI
— iRunFar (@iRunFar) July 12, 2015
Scott Jurek breaks the Appalachian Trail Record in 46 days, 8 hs and 8 minutes. #SJAT15 pic.twitter.com/dpgSQbonQ0
— iRunFar (@iRunFar) July 12, 2015
“You only ever grow as a human being if you’re outside your comfort zone.” Congrats @ScottJurek! #SJAT15 pic.twitter.com/RnXszlBkYX
— brendankinney (@brendankinney) July 12, 2015
.@ScottJurek Congrats and thanks for inspiring us. Human achievement! #SJAT15
— La Chavalina (@LaChavalina) July 12, 2015
Jurek4ever #SJAT15 #whatImdoing pic.twitter.com/jGOxtlG6um
— Amy Ward (@amyswar) July 12, 2015
Maine took us almost 2 months w/zeros, and he’ll finish in 5 days. Trail running is a different sport than turtle-packing. #SJAT15
— Unicoi Zoom (@ncuriel) July 12, 2015
Cheers. 200 meters left.
— Kit Fox (@kitfoxrw) July 12, 2015
Just past 46 days and 8 hours. Waiting on how many minutes. #SJAT15
— Kit Fox (@kitfoxrw) July 12, 2015
He is moving fairly slow though. Still chugging along. We think 5 min to go. #SJAT15
— Kit Fox (@kitfoxrw) July 12, 2015
The man is running, runnin!!g to the finish.
— Kit Fox (@kitfoxrw) July 12, 2015
He put in 15 this morning. Got less than three hours of sleep from what we hear. #SJAT15
— Kit Fox (@kitfoxrw) July 12, 2015
Love to see the hikers summit that had no idea. Some have stayed. #SJAT15
— Kit Fox (@kitfoxrw) July 12, 2015
Service back. About 10 minutes out. Can hear cheers. #SJAT15
— Kit Fox (@kitfoxrw) July 12, 2015
He will break the current record by approx. 3.5 hours.
— Kit Fox (@kitfoxrw) July 12, 2015
Just remembered that today is Jenny Jurek’s birthday. Scott told me her one request: be done by her birthday. #happybirthday #SJAT15
— Andrew Charron (@charronious) July 12, 2015
@scottjurek is almost finished!! THIS is my Neil Armstrong moon landing! #excited #inawe #inspired #cantlookaway #waiting #SJAT15
— Una B (@UnaRanToday) July 12, 2015
Scott Jurek is above the treeline on Katahdin #SJAT15 #AT http://t.co/riLfU69Vqy
— Maine Breaking News (@bangordailynews) July 12, 2015
Appalachian Trail Day 46.5: Yes, this is happening. #SJAT15 #GeorgiaToMaine #EatAndRun
A photo posted by Scott Jurek (@scottjurek) on
Scott Jurek isn’t human, I’m convinced. #SJAT15
— Nick Santangelo (@nickjsantangelo) July 12, 2015
41 years old and still kicking butt, Scott Jurek is almost to the top of Katahdin for the AT record. Total inspiration! #SJAT15
— Nicholas Nelson (@nnelson8675) July 12, 2015
http://t.co/16YAwjictk via @youtube #SJAT15 #YouGotThisScott
— Dottora (@DQ_GSD) July 12, 2015
Just 2125ft more of climbing for the record!!! Go Scott!! #SJAT15
— Gladys Rionda (@GladysRionda) July 12, 2015
I should’ve hiked Katahdin today and watched as @ScottJurek broke the AT record. #SJAT15
— Joshua Rainey (@Rainey07) July 12, 2015
#SJAT15 #Topography Can we all say #unbelievable???? pic.twitter.com/4hlEjieaci
— Dottora (@DQ_GSD) July 12, 2015
Scott Jurek is nearing the Hunt Spur on Katahdin #SJAT15 #AT http://t.co/riLfU69Vqy http://t.co/ePKBUBADzI
— Maine Breaking News (@bangordailynews) July 12, 2015
#SJAT15 Scott’s view #Katahdin #Stream #Falls #YouGotThisScott pic.twitter.com/KmOtV7DdDE
— Dottora (@DQ_GSD) July 12, 2015
The latest tracker update shows @ScottJurek past Katahdin Stream Falls @ 10:51, so less than 4 miles to finish, and 6 hours. #SJAT15
— Michael Owen (@OwenRunning) July 12, 2015
In the 9.9mi from Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream CG @ScottJurek at 3.5mph, his fastest since before the White Mtns. #SJAT15
— Michael Owen (@OwenRunning) July 12, 2015
Scott Jurek has passed Katahdin Stream Falls on his way up to Baxter Peak #SJAT15 #AT http://t.co/riLfU69Vqy http://t.co/ePKBUBADzI
— Maine Breaking News (@bangordailynews) July 12, 2015
5.2 miles and 4,200 vertical feet to finish #sjat15 can he finish by noon? @ScottJurek
— Bill Ozanne (@BillOzanne) July 12, 2015
Scott Jurek is at Katahdin Stream Campground #SJAT15 #AT http://t.co/riLfU69Vqy http://t.co/ePKBUBADzI
— Maine Breaking News (@bangordailynews) July 12, 2015
Scott Jurek passing Daicey Pond in BSP #SJAT15 #AT http://t.co/ePKBUBADzI
— Maine Breaking News (@bangordailynews) July 12, 2015
.@ScottJurek under 10 miles now. Go Scott! Amazing. Shows the quality of @JenPharrDavis record. #eatandrun #SJAT15 #borntorun #mindoverbody
— Francis Shanahan (@FrancisShanahan) July 12, 2015
8.5 miles to go and 8.5 hours to go for @ScottJurek #SJAT15 pic.twitter.com/G9eKscJ3pU — Michael Ducy (@mfdii) July 12, 2015
Rooting for @ScottJurek big time today! You can do it! #SJAT15 #GeorgiaToMaine #AppalachianTrail
— Brett (@RunJumperBrett) July 12, 2015
Jurek headed out just before 7am. He has until 5:15 to cover 15 miles and one more mountain. Im guessing he gets it. #SJAT15 — Courtney (@cmmunson) July 12, 2015
Scott Jurek is about done running the whole 2,189 mile Appalachian Trail in just 46 days. That’s an average of over 47 miles a day. #SJAT15
— Eric Morrissey (@ericmorrissey) July 12, 2015
At 6:55 am Scott Jurek is on the move. Final push to Katahdin #sjat15 @ScottJurek. Trail Day 47 — Bill Ozanne (@BillOzanne) July 12, 2015
Just on the cusp of Baxter State Park! 1 more mountain to go!!! #SJAT15 #scottjurek @ScottJurek #GAtoME #eatandrun pic.twitter.com/7PNIr0nqHG
— skott.daltonic (@skottdaltonic) July 12, 2015
@ScottJurek Chilled Xocolatis and Chocolate Adzuki bars await you atop Mt. Katahdin! Go Scott Go! #SJAT15 #EatAndRun — Sandeep Asokan (@skasokan) July 12, 2015
Go Scott go.. Hard to believe you’ve ran up and down the length of Ireland over 3 times #SJAT15 #eatandrun #legend https://t.co/RSaYooPYt2
— Eamon Towey (@eamont1) July 12, 2015
So near for @ScottJurek #GoScott #SJAT15 #EatAndRun — Adam Leadbetter (@AdamLeadbetter) July 12, 2015
Appalachian Trail Day 46: My 1st view of Katahdin today, hard to put into words. #SJAT15 #GeorgiaToMaine #EatAndRun pic.twitter.com/aEph4OHQ5B
— Scott Jurek (@ScottJurek) July 12, 2015
AT Day 44: Kennebec River crossing this AM w/Topher Gaylord. HUGE thx to Adventure Bound Rafting! @krissymoehl pic.twitter.com/BUkUbviCuX — Scott Jurek (@ScottJurek) July 9, 2015
Appalachian Trail Day 40: Coming to you live from the magic hour in MAINE!!! #SJAT15 #EatAndRun #GeorgiaToMaine pic.twitter.com/i1XR7DfVsB
— Scott Jurek (@ScottJurek) July 6, 2015