It’s no secret that the FKT craze has skyrocketed over the past few years. What started as a niche concept relegated to the most quirky of already quirky mountaineers and thru-hikers has spread to every corner of the earth, garnering mainstream attention and sponsor support along the way.
Here to talk about the challenges and opportunities that arise with this change is someone who’s lived that transformation himself. AT and PCT record-setter Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy joins host and fellow AT and PCT record-setter Heather “Anish” Anderson to discuss the growing pains that come with FKTs going “mainstream"...among other things.
Follow Joe (@thestring.bean) and Heather (@_wordsfromthewild_) on Instagram. Want to hire Joe as your coach? Check out his website: https://thestringbean.co.

The Past, Present, and Future of FKTs with Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy - #184

The podcast of www.fastestknowntime.com. Bringing you interviews and stories from record setting athletes and personalities from around the globe. Learn about the best FKT routes, who did them, and how fast.

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This week we’re traveling to a park where the trees have a name. The Joshua Tree National Park Traverse is a 37 mile long route in southern California. The park, eponymously named for the large yucca plants that grow there, is more well known as a rock climbing mecca than ultra-running scene. Yet within a few days of one another Darren Thomas and Jake Jackson both set records on this desert route.
Darren recounts what went into setting a wicked fast self-supported time including his prep time (spoiler alert: it wasn’t as much as you’d think) and using a pending plane departure as motivation to keep moving.
Jake takes things to a whole other level by completing the route out and back, besting every other unsupported effort for the double. He shares his water strategy and the lessons learned about how all bushes look alike when caching.
Drop in to hear these guys chat all things trail with host Heather Anderson and find out more about the best desert trail you’ve never heard of.

A Tale of Two Joshua Tree Traverse FKTs with Darren Thomas and Jake Jackson -#226

In this week’s episode, host Heather Anderson is joined by ultrarunner and body positivity activist Callie Vinson to discuss her supported Maricopa Loop FKT. The Maricopa Loop is an urban trail system connecting all the major and municipal parks that ring the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Despite its accessibility, it is chock full of wild and remote trails and hits many incredible viewpoints along the way.
Vinson shares her journey from someone who struggled to walk a mile a decade ago to losing 200 pounds and becoming the person who ran this 240 mile route in just over 4 days. Callie and Heather chat about a wide range of topics ranging from sleep-deprivation induced hallucinations to awkward conversations that happen when you’re jogging without a baby in your jogging stroller. Callie also talks about the importance of the trail running community to her and how her “open-call” method of arranging for crew and pacers led to a fantastic experience and new friendships.
Drop in and be inspired!

Callie Vinson: FKTs are for Every Body -#225

There’s only one FKT that is over 7,000 miles long and takes seven and a half months to complete and in 2023 Billy Meredith crushed the self-supported record on it. The Triple Crown of Thru-Hiking consists of the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Each of these is over 2,000 miles long. Attempting to complete them in one year is a rare feat known as the Calendar Year Triple Crown, or CYTC.
Billy took the CYTC to the next level by setting out to establish an FKT in the process. Not only did he decide to tackle a gargantuan goal, but he chose a year with record breaking snowpack throughout the High Sierra of California and early winter storms on the Appalachian Trail. 
Tune in to hear Billy and host Heather Anderson, who was the first woman to complete the CYTC, talk shop about long distance hiking, the Triple Crown, how to stay focused on the goal (Billy’s mantra: Remember Tomorrow) and the power of walking home.
Billy’s story of determination, tenacity, and resilience on a mind-bogglingly huge route will inspire you to aim higher and go farther.

Billy Meredith Sets Calendar Year Triple Crown FKT -#224

This week we’re traveling to Alabama to retrace Martin Luther King Junior’s march from Selma to Montgomery with Sika Henry. 59 years ago nonviolent activists marched between these two cities to protest segregation. Earlier this month Sika, the first Black female professional triathlete, ran this 51-mile historic route in 7 hours 6 minutes. 
The granddaughter of a footballer denied admittance to the professional leagues due to race, Sika shares her remarkable and inspiring journey to Montgomery–as well as to professional athletics–despite a major accident. Her drive to return to triathlon after a horrific bike crash in order to bring attention to the lingering impacts of segregation in triathlon–and the full-circle moments of her Fastest Known Time–are empowering. 
You can follow her on Instagram @ sikahenry
Big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

Sika Henry on Setting the Selma to Montgomery FKT -#223

Host Heather Anderson delves into Kristian Morgan's epic Appalachian Trail FKT, an endeavor filled with grit, determination, and unexpected challenges. Join us as we uncover the remarkable story of Kristian, who embarked on this daunting journey supported by an unlikely ally – his own mother, serving as his dedicated crew. Through numerous setbacks and restarts, listeners will be captivated by Kristian's unwavering resolve amidst one of the wettest years in the Northeast. Tune in as we explore the triumphs and tribulations of an extraordinary athlete's quest to conquer the legendary Appalachian Trail. Read more about Kristian's FKT here.
Big thanks to Janji for supporting the podcast as we head into a new year. We’re proud to partner with this trail running apparel powerhouse, whose super durable apparel comes with a five-year run everywhere guarantee. (Not to mention, two percent of sales are donated to clean water programs in the places we run.) Head to janji.com and take 10 percent off with the code FKT.

The Past, Present, and Future of FKTs with Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy - #184

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