A 31-year-old professional runner from Boulder, Colorado, Tara Dower, recently completed the Appalachian Trail, which spans roughly 2,200 miles along the East Coast, in about 40 days. Dower had previously hiked the trail in 5 months and 10 days in 2019, but this time around, she aimed to beat the fastest known time of 41 days and 7 hours.
Having been a runner her whole life, Dower was already in great shape, but the challenge of running the trail in record time was mentally and physically demanding. She ran about 75-80% of the trail with a pacer, who accompanied her to provide support and company during the journey.
The Appalachian Trail passes through 14 states, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. It typically takes thru-hikers 5 to 7 months to complete the trail.
Dower’s crew, including her mom and crew chief, supported her by ensuring she was fed and taken care of throughout the journey. She described the terrains of Maine and New Hampshire as particularly challenging due to rugged and technical trails.
During her run, Dower consumed around 300 calories per hour, fueling herself with energy gummies, Goldfish crackers, pretzels, and wraps. Her crew provided her with a protein shake at every road crossing to keep her energized and moving forward.
Despite facing physical challenges and sleep deprivation, Dower completed the trail in record time of 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes. She admitted that she only allowed herself to believe she would beat the record in the final three miles of the journey.
After completing the trail, Dower is focusing on her recovery, dealing with brain fog and a glute injury. She plans to relax, eat ice cream, and get plenty of rest. Her achievement surpassed the previous record set by Karel Sabbe in 2018.
The accomplishment of Tara Dower serves as an inspiration to many, showcasing the determination, resilience, and physical strength required to break records and push boundaries in the world of long-distance running.
