Vegan Athlete Breaks Appalachian Trail Record

Vegan ultramarathoner Scott Jurek became the fastest person to complete a supported thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail by walking the 2,189-mile expedition in 46 days, 8 hours, and seven minutes. The 41-year-old began the trek May 27 on Springer Mountain in Georgia, and summited Mount Katahdin in Maine July 12. During his trip, Jurek crossed 14 states and averaged almost 50 miles a day. He said this journey might be his last competitive endurance challenge before he retires, telling Runner’s World that his most recent accomplishment “is going to be my masterpiece.” Jurek’s ultramarathon achievements coincide with his New York Times-bestselling Eat & Run, a book detailing his life as a vegan endurance athlete.