Last Updated: August 27, 2024
Drawing millions of spectators, featuring heart-pounding competitions, and centering on incredible athleticism, one sporting feat wows audiences worldwide.
That’s right — we’re talking about FKTs.
Those three letters stand for Fastest Known Time, the shortest time taken to finish a hike or race.
FKTs break down further into unsupported, self-supported, and supported records.
If you’re wondering just what it takes to set an FKT — or if you hope to nab one of these vaunted records yourself — you’ve come to the right place.
This article will cover how a route qualifies, the premier routes, and all the important guidelines you need to know.
What is an FKT, Exactly?
An FKT, or fastest known time, is a record of the shortest amount of time in which a hiker, runner, or cyclist (or a two-person team) has managed to complete a trail.
Those trails range from just a few miles in length to the roughly 7,900-mile-long backpacking Triple Crown and beyond.
As you might imagine, setting an fastest known time requires a combination of grit, determination, and skill, plus a fair amount of luck.
Injuries can quickly quash an FKT attempt, like in 2021, when a quad tear put an abrupt end to Scott Jurek’s attempt of the Appalachian Trail.
For those who do set fastest known times, though, glory awaits — within the trail world, at least. FKTs are recorded online at FastestKnownTime.com, the official Holy Grail of this taxing sport.
An FKT may even lead to brand sponsorships, not to mention bragging rights around the campfire.
Which Routes Qualify for FKTs?
Though FKTs are only recognized on certain routes, thousands of those routes exist around the world.
Naturally, the Triple Crown trails — Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest — are eligible, as are shorter hikes like the Florida Trail and the Wonderland Trail.
According to the guidelines, routes need a minimum of five miles in length or 500 feet of elevation gain to qualify for an FKT.
The route can be on any surface, but must primarily require hiking or running (multi-sport is allowed).
Even marathons can count.
Unsupported vs. Self-Supported vs. Supported
Unsupported FKTs are set by athletes with absolutely no external support.
That means carrying everything needed from start to finish, except for water from natural sources and public taps.
No on-trail purchases, hotel stops, food caches, or showers.
Self-supported FKTs, meanwhile, allow for some resources — but only those available to everyone else.
Getting a shuttle from a friend is against the rules, but you can purchase supplies and stay at hotels.
You’ll also need to beat the unsupported fastest known time.
Supported FKTs are the least restricted. You can get as much support as you need from your team as long as you move forward on your own power.
A few notes, though — you’ll have to beat the self-supported and unsupported fastest known times, and the category is hugely competitive.
Notable FKT Athletes
Those who score a fastest known time join an elite club, discussed among us mere mortal hikers in tones of awe (and, often, envy).
While there are numerous incredible FKT athletes out there, including a growing number of non-binary competitors, these are some of the greats:
Males
- Kristian Morgan: In late 2023, this British ultra-runner made headlines for shearing 18 hours off the previous FKT of the Southbound Appalachian Trail. He set a new record at 45 days, 4 hours, and 27 minutes, then made another attempt in 2024.
- Jeff “Legend” Garmire: Jeff “Legend” Garmire holds unsupported records on the Colorado Trail, the John Muir Trail, and the Wonderland Trail, among others. The documentary “Free Outside” chronicles his 9 day, 8 hour, and 18 minute thru-hike of the 486-mile CT in 2020.
- Kilian Jornet: World-famous runner Kilian Jornet has smashed FKTs across the globe, including on the Tahoe Rim Trail, Kilimanjaro, and, on the short end, Colorado’s Mt. Sanitas. In 2017, he wowed the mountaineering world by ascending Mount Everest twice in just six days.
Females
- Heather “Anish” Anderson: Since her first fastest known time on the PCT in 2013, Heather “Anish” Anderson has put in 10 more. In May 2024, Anderson landed the unsupported FKT for the Arizona Trail at 24 days, 1 hour, and 12 minutes — cutting four days off the previous record.
- Suzanne “Sunny” Stroeer: Suzanne “Sunny” Stroeer hit the FKT scene in 2017 with an 8 hour, 47 minute ascent of Aconcagua in Argentina. She’s since notched fastest known times around the world, notably on the Annapurna Circuit in 2018 and on a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim hike in 2023.
- Jennifer Pharr-Davis: Jennifer Pharr-Davis bagged the women’s supported FKT for the AT in 2008, then returned in 2011 to best her own time, finishing at 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes. Though she hasn’t set any more fastest known times since, she remains a legend in the ultralight backpacking world.
Premier Routes
Ten premier routes exist in the world — these are the crème de la crème of FKT attempts, and as such, they see the most competition for new records.
Professionals routinely dominate these top 10 routes, so FKT authorities call for thorough documentation of all attempts.
- Presidential Traverse: 18 miles
- Grand Canyon Crossings: 44 miles
- Wonderland Trail: 93 miles
- Nolan’s 14: 100 miles
- John Muir Trail via Whitney Portal: 223 miles
- Long Trail: 249 miles
- Pennine Way: 420 kilometers
- Colorado Trail: 500 miles
- Arizona Trail: 817 miles
- Appalachian Trail: 2,189 miles
Premier status isn’t set in stone, though — the Pacific Crest Trail and Utah’s Trans-Zion Trail lost the designation due to terrain changes.
Frequent wildfires on the PCT make it impossible to measure an fastest known times year over year, while rockfall has closed the TZT indefinitely.
Verifying FKTs
If a tree falls in a forest and nobody hears it, does it make a sound?
Likewise, if you complete an fastest known time but don’t take the steps to verify your new record — did you even set it?
To avoid this issue, the FKT website provides a set of guidelines to properly document your attempts.
You’ll need, at minimum, a link to your activity on an approved app like Strava or Garmin Connect, as well as the original data file from the device used to record your FKT (phone, GPS watch, or personal locator beacon).
Photos and a trip report are also highly encouraged.
Rules and Guidelines for FKTs
Setting a fastest known time isn’t just about being the fastest athlete out there — you’ll also have to play by a strict set of rules.
These guidelines govern everything from route variations to the styles in which an FKT may be completed, so review them thoroughly before any attempt.
For a deeper dive into these athletic accomplishments, explore the website to ensure you’re on the right side of FKT history.
Pay particular attention to the rules that govern self-timing, as time is (understandably) hugely important to any fastest known time attempt.
Final Thoughts: Fastest Known Times
Even if you don’t want to set an FKT yourself, it’s always interesting to take a peek into the guts and glory of this tough, somewhat niche sport.
But if you have been inspired to give it a go, then tie your shoelaces and tape up your ankles — the trails are calling.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a world-class athlete to attempt a fastest known time.
Just about anyone can head out there and set a new record, so don’t let the Jeff Garmires and Heather Andersons of the world intimidate you.
In fact, they might just cheer you on.
Even attempting an FKT is a feat worthy of congratulations, but a new trail or race record could be within your grasp — not to mention media attention, brand deals, and one of the coolest athletic titles of all time.
So, go out there and get on trail!
