Karl Meltzer is Probably About to Break Scott Jurek’s Supported Appalachian Trail Speed Record

Karl Meltzer, accomplished ultrarunner, appears destined to upend Scott Jurek’s Appalachian Trail supported speed record just one year after Jurek established the new FKT.  The latest update has Meltzer into Tennessee, leaving just three states- TN, North Carolina, and Georgia- standing between himself and history.

With less than five days to break the record, Meltzer’s team predicts that “it will be smooth sailing to the end– as smooth as running seven more 50-mile days can be” (the updates lag his actual location by a couple of days).

Much like Jurek, Meltzer is a legend in the ultrarunning world, holding the record for most 100-mile race wins, including six at the Wasatch 100, five at the Hardrock 100, and three at the San Diego 100.

This is Meltzer’s third attempt at breaking the Appalachian Trail supported speed record.  In 2008, Meltzer finished the trail in 54 days, 21 hours, and 12 minutes, a week shy of the record at the time. During his second attempt in 2014, Meltzer called it quits a month into his attempt after falling 50-miles behind Jennifer Pharr Davis‘ pace.

In 2015, Meltzer crewed (ultra jargin for assisted) Jurek for two weeks during his fkt hike.  Jurek is currently returning the favor, something he’s been planning for quite some time, as revealed during our hour long conversation last year (see excerpt below).

We’ll provide an update when Meltzer reaches Springer Mountain.  Subscribe to the Appalachian Trials Facebook page to get the news when (or if) it breaks.

Featured photo courtesy Meltzer’s Facebook Page