Ultrarunner Sarah Baker Sets New Self-Supported Appalachian Trail Record

Ultrarunner Sarah Baker, from Tennessee, has set a new self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the legendary Appalachian Trail, completing the grueling 3,500-kilometre (2,190-mile) trek from south to north in just 74 days — all while battling illness and unforgiving terrain.

Baker’s accomplishment is even more impressive considering she did it completely self-supported, meaning no outside help — no support crew, no pacers, and no pre-arranged assistance. Along the way, she managed her own logistics, carried her own gear, and relied on resupply points she mailed to herself in advance.

An FKT Years in the Making

This wasn’t Baker’s first Appalachian Trail challenge. She had already set three FKTs on segments of the trail, gaining experience and insight into the extreme demands of the route. Early in this attempt, she was averaging over 50 kilometers per day, but a journey of this magnitude rarely goes without setbacks.

Just three weeks in, Baker contracted norovirus, a gastrointestinal illness that forced her to isolate and “stealth camp” on the trail, as hostels turned her away due to her symptoms. Despite the illness, she pressed on, demonstrating grit and mental resilience.

The Challenge of Going It Alone

A self-supported FKT comes with more than just physical challenges — it demands careful planning, adaptability, and relentless determination.

Baker used the classic thru-hiker strategy of mailing food ahead to small towns, where she would hike off-trail to retrieve supplies and then return to continue her route. This added extra mileage, effort, and logistical complexity — something supported athletes don’t face.

“The hardest part wasn’t just the running,” Baker noted. “It was getting to a resupply point, managing illness alone, and still finding the will to keep moving forward every day.”

A Trail That Tests the Toughest

The Appalachian Trail is widely regarded as one of the toughest long-distance hikes in the world. With over 140,000 meters (nearly 460,000 feet) of elevation gain and loss, completing it is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest about 16 times.

Baker’s journey, completed solo and unsupported, highlights not only her strength as an ultrarunner but also the depth of her planning and willpower. Her new 74-day mark sets a high bar for future attempts.

A Trailblazer for the Trail Community

Sarah Baker’s accomplishment adds her name to the short list of elite athletes who have successfully taken on the full Appalachian Trail under self-supported conditions. Her story is a reminder of the power of perseverance — and that records aren’t only broken on race day but in the quiet miles when no one is watching.

posted Thursday August 7th
by Boris Baron