FKT Podcast

Once again Paulina Zack joins host Heather Anderson to talk trails. This summer Paulina set FKTs on two classic European routes, Mallorca’s 150K GR221 and Sweden’s 480K Kungsleden Trail. She shares the challenges of two wildly different routes from record breaking heat to almost unbearable mosquitoes. She also talks about how completing the GR221 in 59 hours gave her confidence after injury. She also dives into her thoughts about women’s participation in multi-day FKTs and the beauty and challenge of completing the Kungsleden in 5 days and 15 hours.

Karel Sabbe returns to the show to chat with host Heather Anderson about his recent supported FKT on France’s 3,000 kilometer Hexatrek route. Karel completed it in 33 days and 13 hours, establishing an incredibly stout time despite extreme heat, wildfires, and waterborne illness. Tune in to hear about this newest long distance trail through some of the best known and best kept secret parts of France.

On this week’s show, Deanna Doane joins host Heather Anderson to talk about her unsupported  Smokies Challenge Adventure Run (SCAR) FKT. Deanna shares her challenges with weather and water as well as animal encounters along the 70-mile run across Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She also shares her fueling and training strategy to cover the distance in 17 hours and 44 minutes.

Today we’re traveling to the highest peak on the planet. Host Heather Anderson is joined by Tyler Andrews, who set two impressive Mount Everest FKTs in May by running from Everest Base Camp to the summit in 9 hours and 55 minutes and completing the roundtrip in just 16 hours 32 minutes.

Tyler talks about his journey from track and field athlete to 8,000-meter mountaineer, as well as what type of training he employed to achieve this feat on his seventh try. He also talks about the importance of patience and humility when climbing big mountains and why knowing when to turn back is an achievement, just like reaching the summit.

Ann Burchfield joins host Heather Anderson on today’s episode to share about her supported FKT on the 112-mile Bartram Trail. Ann covered the distance in one day, 19 hours, and 42 minutes, taking just under an hour off of the previous time. Tune in to hear how Ann balanced training with parenting a toddler and how she found crew and pacers without a robust running group to draw from. She shares stories of both the challenges and beauty of this lesser known, highly varied route in the southeastern U.S.

On today’s episode, host Heather Anderson is joined by François D'Haene, who recently brought the record for Corsica’s iconic GR20 route under 30 hours for the first time. François shares his personal history with the 160-km trail, including his prior FKT set in 2016 and the lessons learned on that run that helped him set this new record. He talks about his training and shares the challenges of setting this FKT, from technical rocks, heat, and battling a hot wind to the stress of questioning his pace until the very end. François also shares his thoughts on balancing rest with effort and the importance of including friends and family into yearly adventures.

Spanning 2,000 kilometers across eight European countries, the Via Alpina is a highly varied, challenging mountain route through the Alps. Today’s guest, Sophie Woods, just smashed the overall supported FKT by running the trail in just 28 days, 17 hours, and 59 minutes. She talks with host Heather Anderson about the challenges of this unique route, including technical trails, logistics of overnighting, and navigation. She also shares how the multiple heatwaves impacted her run and how she dealt with a wildfire closure along the way. Tune in to be inspired!

This week, host Heather Anderson is joined by Nathan Frantz who shares the literal and figurative ups and downs of setting the supported FKT for the Carolinas’ Foothills Trail, but running the 74-mile trail out and back in two days, one hour, and 35 minutes. Nathan shares the challenges of the journey but also his powerful why and how running for those who can’t helped him keep going.

On today’s episode we’re traveling to the Lake District of England with Katharina Hartmuth who set a new Bob Graham Round FKT. She joins host Heather Anderson to talk about her experience with running this iconic 100K route in 14 hours and 11 minutes. She also shares how attempting something different helps her maintain motivation as well as how the required aspect of community involvement became such a fulfilling element of her run.

Today host Heather Anderson is joined by Aurélien Sanchez, who recently set a new overall supported FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail, running the 2600-plus miles in just 45 days and 20 hours. Tune in to be inspired by his ability to overcome injury, setbacks, demoralizing trail conditions, and a trip to the emergency room while having the “adventure of a lifetime.” He also shares how his desire to share the experience with his girlfriend and her cousin fueled him through his lowest moments.