In an incredible feat of athletic endurance and a wonderful show of human spirit, ultrarunner and thru-hiker Tara Dower, 31, completed the Appalachian Trail (AT) in just over 40 days. This will likely set an official new record for the FKT (fastest known time), since it’s about 13 hours faster than the previous FKT. Alongside a team of volunteers who helped pace and feed her, Dower traveled 2,200 miles in 40 days, 18 hours, and five minutes. Most thru-hikers take five to six months to complete the trek.

Dower had completed the AT before, just not at record pace. Her experience making the trek before undoubtedly helped her this time, since she had an idea about what obstacles she’d face along the way.

Good Morning America reports that Dower would run from 3 AM to 8:30-10 PM every day. Halfway through each day, she’d take 90-second “dirt naps” to recover some energy. She averaged more than 53 miles per day at this brutal pace. Along the way, Dower says she got a lot of cuts and bruises and even stepped on a copperhead snake.

Dower’s crew included her best friend and her mom, alongside friends and other volunteers who signed up to help her with things like pacing and road crossing logistics. Besides setting a new FKT for the AT, Dower also raised over $44,000 for Girls Who Run.

In her Instagram post announcing her finishing time, Dower says finishing the AT with the FKT is a “dream come true.” She says it wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of her crew.

Watch Good Morning America’s Instagram Reel highlighting Dower’s feat here:

Congratulations to this incredible athlete and outdoors-person! We can’t believe Dower smashed the Appalachian Trail in just over 40 days.

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