Will the next AT record holder be tall and slim like JPD and Mathew Kirk?

[Kookork]

I can't help noticing that both current supported and unsupported record holders of AT thru have almost the same body build. Very tall and very light and slim.

So is it fair to say that the body type of the future record holders will possibly be like JPD and MK?

Do you think that taller people have a better chance to hike faster than shorter hikers?

[Hikerhead]

I think it must not be much to do today way up north.

[MuddyWaters]

dont know.

Shorter people are known for having an apparent advantage when it comes to ultra-marathons though. I dont remember why.
Yes , I think taller people can hike faster.
But, can they hike longer? or more efficiently? that is the question.

[rocketsocks]

Nope, short fat bald guy 'll take it.

...with a three legged dog name lucky.

[atmilkman]

How tall is Dakota Joe?

[MuddyWaters]

How tall is Dakota Joe?

Florida Department of Corrections says 5' 09"

[atmilkman]

Florida Department of Corrections says 5' 09"

I'll bet he can run fast.

[MuddyWaters]

I'll bet he can run fast.

Obviously not fast enough.

[Kookork]

dont know.

Shorter people are known for having an apparent advantage when it comes to ultra-marathons though. I dont remember why.
Yes , I think taller people can hike faster.
But, can they hike longer? or more efficiently? that is the question.

I think they can hike more efficiently(using less calorie per mile per pound of weight) but can they hike longer? JPD and Kirk examples shows they can.

[fredmugs]

I've met JPD and Anish. I'm 6' 3" and JPD is almost as tall as I am. Anish is very short. Anish is a triple crowner and an ultra marathon runner and I wouldn't bet against her if she made a run at any of the AT records.

[yaduck9]

I have to go with what "Gimli" has to say about this



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4qZrPX60bw

[Violent Green]

I think tall folks have a big advantage if all other things are equal. 6'5", 175lbs will have thousands of fewer steps than 5'7", 175lbs without the added work of carrying more body weight. Fewer steps means less work and less wear on joints. There are a lot of other variables that could affect the outcome of a 2100 mile hike though. Careful planning and strategy is more important IMO.

Ryan

[gpburdelljr]

Here is what Skywalker (6'-11") has to say:

http://skywalker-pct.com/is-height-a...hiking-trails/

[Sly]

Jennifer may be tall for a woman but I don't think she's as tall 6' . Also, it's not like she hiked fast, she hiked long hours at average speed for someone in good condition. Record long distance hikes are not so much about pure speed but more about endurance and mental strength.

[Slo-go'en]

Record long distance hikes are not so much about pure speed but more about endurance and mental strength.

Which is why woman will likely keep the records...

[Kookork]

I think tall folks have a big advantage if all other things are equal. 6'5", 175lbs will have thousands of fewer steps than 5'7", 175lbs without the added work of carrying more body weight. Fewer steps means less work and less wear on joints. There are a lot of other variables that could affect the outcome of a 2100 mile hike though. Careful planning and strategy is more important IMO.

Ryan

I refer you and anybody else to the next comment(no 13). It is interesting but not completely scientific written by no other than Skywalker .

[Kookork]

Here is what Skywalker (6'-11") has to say:

http://skywalker-pct.com/is-height-a...hiking-trails/

Thank you for the great link.

What the writer does not consider about the height is that the taller person's stride is much longer while his/her strides per minute is only marginally less than shorter people so until a really scientific reasearch considers all these factors to account I am not convinced that taller people have advantage or disadvantage as skywalker is trying to say. It is more complicated than just height and weight .

[Kookork]

Jennifer may be tall for a woman but I don't think she's as tall 6' . Also, it's not like she hiked fast, she hiked long hours at average speed for someone in good condition. Record long distance hikes are not so much about pure speed but more about endurance and mental strength.

Absolutely true.

PS: I am not sure but I think somewhere I read that JPD is around 6'2'' or 6' 3''.

[Son Driven]

It took me 7 months to the day to complete my 2013 AT thru hike. I would not change a thing, if I was to do it again. If hikers want to turn the AT into a competitive conquest so be it. I prefer to savior my hikes like a fine wine, rather then slam it down like a cheap six pack, in order to obtain a buzz that will soon turn into a head ache. No rules, "hike your own hike".

[canoe]

I think tall folks have a big advantage if all other things are equal. 6'5", 175lbs will have thousands of fewer steps than 5'7", 175lbs without the added work of carrying more body weight. Fewer steps means less work and less wear on joints. There are a lot of other variables that could affect the outcome of a 2100 mile hike though. Careful planning and strategy is more important IMO.

Ryan

Whaaaaat? which weighs more.... 5lbs of feathers or 5lbs of rocks