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Kristian Morgan Aims for Another Appalachian Trail FKT
In an incredible display of endurance, professional running coach Kristian “Captain Morgan” is attempting to set the fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail. Morgan currently holds a supported southbound FKT on the AT at 45 days, 4 hours, 27 minutes, which he claimed in September 2023. In 2022, Morgan also set the second-fastest supported northbound time.
This year, Morgan began a fresh northbound supported FKT attempt on May 25 in an attempt to dethrone current record-holder Karel Sabbe (41 days, 7 hours, 39 minutes). Morgan helped Sabbe achieve this record back in 2018 by carrying Sabbe’s food, water, and phone.
Kristian Morgan at the start of his AT FKT attempt on Springer Mountain, May 25. Photo via Kristian Morgan
Averaging an astonishing 55+ miles per day, Morgan’s team estimates that he’s about 30 miles ahead of the record pace. This is not his first rodeo. Morgan is now attempting the AT speed record for the fifth time since 2019. Since 2022, Morgan has run the AT both northbound and soundbound in under 90 days over two consecutive years.
On June 6, Morgan completed Virginia’s Triple Crown, a 37-mile loop that offers breathtaking views in the Roanoke Region of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The three sections include Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs, which are popular milestones for many AT thru-hikers. For most, this stretch of trail takes three days. Morgan finished it in one.
According to Morgan’s support crew, he is feeling as strong and determined as ever. He has reportedly recovered from a minor leg injury sustained early on in his trek and is now ahead of schedule. His team also announced that he’s fueling with 6,500 to 7,400 calories per day to ensure peak performance.
Morgan stands atop McAfee Knob on June 6. Photo via Kristian Morgan
At the time of this article, Morgan is on Day 13. He is well on his way to a sub-41-day finish.
For those interested in tracking Morgan’s status as he traverses north, you can keep up with his live tracking. His team also diligently posts daily updates on his Instagram and Facebook accounts here with detailed reports.
Featured image via Kristian Morgan
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Comments 8
“Though competing for the same record, Morgan helped Sabbe achieve this record back in 2018 by carrying Sabbe’s food, water, and phone.”
Karel Sabbe may have a different take on this statement.
It is Kristian’s sixth attempt at the overall AT supported record.
Kudos to his two-person support crew (both senior citizens – Iceman and Gun-Section) for supporting him for five of those attempts).
Hi Warren! Thank you for your comment. The information provided in this article is according to Kristian Morgan’s team, they stated that this is his 5th time going for the FKT! https://live.adventuretracking.be/Kristian-AT2024. He has an incredible crew behind him!
Hello Ariella,
Kristian had two attempts at the reccord southbound last year. The first one ended in a few days due to the wet trail conditions in Maine.
Warren
Yes, Warren, you are right. We had to stop on day two last year due to the extreme weather conditions. So in actual fact he had two attempts last year.
It is a common occurrence for pacers to “mule” For Ultra runners.
Kristian will sometimes do this himself on extreme runs. He will ask one of his places to “mule” For him. GS.
“Morgan completed Virginia’s Triple Crown, a 37-mile loop that offers breathtaking views in the Roanoke Region of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The three sections include Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs, which are popular milestones for many AT thru-hikers. For most, this stretch of trail takes three days. Morgan completed his Triple Crown in one.”
The distance on the AT from Dragon’s Tooth to Tinker Cliffs is only 17.7 miles. Most AT thru-hikers do it in one or two days.
He didn’t do the loop. He just hiked the AT. Trust me. I’ve done the trail 18 times. There is so much misinformation online about the trail.
This is correct. The AT only runs along a section of the entire triple crown loop. The AT does not follow the entire triple crown loop.