Tara Dower Sets Overall Fastest Known Time on Appalachian Trail

Tara “Candy Mama” Dower on September 21 became the fastest person ever to complete the Appalachian Trail, setting a supported speed record of 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes (pending official verification by Fastest Known Time). In doing so she became the first woman to hold the overall supported record since Jennifer Pharr Davis, who occupied the top spot from 2011 to 2016.

Dower worked for Pharr Davis as a backpacking guide and hostel caretaker in 2020, one year after completing a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, and says on her website that Pharr Davis’s example is what first inspired her to pursue FKTs. Dower went on to compete in two dozen ultramarathons, set FKTs on the Colorado and Benton Mackaye trails, and thru-hike the John Muir Trail before deciding to take on the holy grail of FKTs, the Appalachian Trail, this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Pete Schreiner (@schreinertrailphotography)

Dower began her attempt from Katahdin on August 12, supported by a small crew — collectively known as Chump Change — that included her best friend and her mom.

The previous fastest known time on the AT was 41 days, 7 hours and 39 minutes, set by Karel Sabbe in 2018. Dower’s record edges Sabbe out by roughly 13 hours. “I’m happy to pass on the Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail to the incredible @tara.dower,” wrote Sabbe in a statement on social media. “2024 is shaping up to be an amazing year where more and more people, especially women, are realizing just how strong they are in the world of ultrarunning.”

Dower and the Chump Change crew used their effort to raise $20,000 for Girls on the Run, a nonprofit that empowers girls through physical activity.

Featured image via Tara Dower on Instagram.