Ultra-Marathon Running Legend Scott Jurek Attempts Appalachian Trail Record

May 28, 2015 - PRLog -- Scott Jurek (http://scottjurek.com/), ultra-marathon running legend, 24 hour American record holder (165.7 miles or 6½ marathons in one day!), NY Times best-selling author listed by Runner’s World Magazine as one of the greatest runners of all-time¹, today announced his attempt to run the entire Appalachian Trail (2,189-miles) in record time. The current record, set in 2011 by Jennifer Pharr Davis, stands at 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes. Jurek will attempt to average fifty miles per day to bring the record down to forty-four days or less. Jurek’s wife, Jenny, will act as the crew chief and pilot their custom cargo van to meet him at trailheads and road crossings. Jurek will run with a lightweight sleeping system for nights camped on the trail and will stay connected with the latest communication and tracking technology (all will be charged via solar power). Brooks Running, Ultimate Direction, Pro-Tec Athletics and Clif Bar will provide equipment and nutrition used during this record attempt.

Jurek, who is no stranger to ultra-distance challenges, has been exploring his endurance potential over the past twenty years and has become one of the most decorated distance runners of all-time. Accomplishments include 7-time consecutive winner of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, 24 hour American Record holder, the only American ever to win Greece's Spartathlon, a 153-mile race from Sparta to Athens (he won it 3 times). Jurek is the only person to win, in the same year (2005), Western States and the 135-mile Badwater Ultra-marathon that begins in Death Valley.

“While a main goal is to complete the trail in record time, my ultimate goal is to inspire others to explore the outdoors and their own personal fitness and life goals,” said Jurek. “For some it may mean getting out on a weekend backpacking trip and for others getting off the couch and exercising for the first time.”

Jurek chose the challenge of a National Scenic Trail speed record on the Appalachian Trail (AT) due to its deep history and cultural significance to conservation and outdoor recreation. Nearly half of the U.S. population lives within three hours of this 2,189-mile footpath that connects flora, fauna and humans with one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. Several thousand hikers set off each year to hike the entire length of the trail, while millions section and day hike a portion of the rugged path.

“Ever since looking at an old photo and map of the AT and picking up a pair of National Geographic AT books from the 70’s and 80’s I have wanted to set foot on this amazing adventure,” Jurek exclaimed.

Thru-hiking and trail running participation is at an all-time high with popularity increasing due to bestselling books and motion pictures from Wild to Born To Run. Jurek gained mainstream attention as a central character in Christopher Mc Dougall’s best-selling book Born To Run, which is slated to become a Hollywood feature film starring Matthew McConaughey. Jurek’s own book, Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to UltraMarathon Greatness has become a NY Times best-selling title of its own.

Jurek is currently on the trail and a detailed schedule is available upon request.

For more about Jurek and to keep up-to-date on his progress, go tohttp://scottjurek.com, https://twitter.com/ScottJurekandhttp://www.facebook.com/ScottJurek, https://instagram.com/scottjurek

¹http://rw.runnersworld.com/pdf/groat.pdf

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