Joe McConaughy Claims New AT Speed Record

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Mountain Journey
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Appalachian Trail – Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy claims to have set a new AT speed record. He claims that he completed the full 2190-mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 45 days, 12 hours, 15 minutes. Congrats!

45d12d15m – a new self supported and overall Fastest Known Time record on the #appalachiantrail. Greetings from the top of Katahdin at 6:38pm where I was greeted by 70 mile winds, hail, rain, mist, endless boulder scrambles, @kekiracofe and @josh.katzman. After a 37 hour push, i managed 110.8 miles straight to do what I had to do, more than I have run at once by almost 50 miles. I honestly don’t know what to say. I’m am in shock and pain, joyful and thankful, humbled and tired, in disbelief and exhilaration. I will be forever perplexed and appreciative of what the wilderness brings out in myself and others. I hope anyone watching is at least inspired to become more involved in the outdoors. Every day has been a battle, but I am very thankful to be safe and have accomplished my dream ever since the PCT. I’ve had a lot of time in my own thoughts, and what I took away most from this journey is community. It is the people you love and who surround you who provide the greatest joy. It really took a village. I want to give a heartfelt thank you to my lovely girlfriend, Katie, my parents and the Katzmans who came to the start/finish, friends and family who I have HEAVILY leaned on, hikers, trail angels and the trail community who have given me everything from sloppy Joe’s to an extra set of batteries to allow me to run through the night, @anishhikes and @meltzerkarl for pushing the FKT record, @efnorthamerica and @efcollegebreak for being an awesome company and letting me take time off work to pursue my dreams, to @heartbreakrunco, @brooksrunning, @palantepacks, @mountainlaureldesigns, and @cieleathletics to help me get here, and everyone who has followed or watched or commented. I’ve been brought to tears and laughter even though I may have never met you. Thank you all, Stringbean out. OOHYEAH!

A post shared by Joe McConaughy (@thestring.bean) on

According to GearJunkie.com, McConaughy started the AT on July 17, 2017 at 6:31 am in Georgia and finished the AT on August 31. His unofficial record has not been confirmed, but if it is he will have beaten both the self-supported and supported records.

McConaughy broke the PCT speed record in 2014 when he hiked the 2,660 mile PCT in 53 days, 6 hours, and 37 minutes.

For more information on McConaughy’s unofficial AT speed record, get the full scoop at GearJunkie.com.

We will try to update this post when more information is available.

Read more about Joe McConaughy’s new AT speed record from the following sources: