Thirty days in and more than half way through, Jurek crosses New York State
Scott Jurek, legendary ultra runner and Ultimate Direction-sponsored athlete, is on his way to setting a new world record for a supported thru-hike of the 2,185-mile Appalachian Trail. The current record, set by Jennifer Pharr Davis in 2011, stands at 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes. Jurek is on track to finish in just 42 days.
Starting at Springer Mountain in Georgia on May 27, Jurek passed the trail’s halfway marker on June 18. Crossing through New York and into Connecticut on June 25, he now has fewer than 800 miles to go. Far from over, AT thru-hikes become particularly brutal in New Hampshire and Maine where the terrain becomes rougher and steeper than in the more southerly states.
“If anyone can can pull this off, it’s Scott,” said Buzz Burrell, Ultimate Direction Brand Manager. “He is an incredibly talented athlete with a legendary list of running accomplishments, including seven consecutive Western States Endurance Run wins and two Badwater Ultramarathon wins. We are very excited to have him on our athlete team and cheer him on during this epic undertaking.”
Scott’s wife, Jenny Jurek, is supporting this world record attempt, helping to keep Scott fueled, supplied, and motivated along the way. Jenny’s support allows Scott to travel light, an essential component in a successful attempt.
Scott considers this run to be his ‘masterpiece’ and has talked of retiring from competitive running once this attempt is complete.
Scott is taking a variety of Ultimate Direction gear with him on the AT, including a prototype UD hydration vest (available at retail in 2016), the new UD Body Bottle Plus, and a customized UD Jurek Endure.
For updates on Scott’s progress, check in with his Facebook page. For real time tracking, check in with Scott on the DeLorme website.
About Ultimate Direction
Ultimate Direction is a leader in athlete hydration, having created the entire hydration pack category in 1985. Since then, runners, hikers, climbers, and cyclists all over the world have relied upon a backpack, waist belt, or handheld bottle to stay hydrated and Ultimate Direction’s market leadership continues today with their athlete-designed Signature Series Vests, Jurek Collection, and Fundamentals apparel collection, setting a new standard with cutting-edge materials, design, and style. www.ultimatedirection.com.
Release provided by Scott Kaier.