Harvey Lewis - 2018 AT Supported FKT Attempt

[OwenRunning]

Harvey Lewis, accomplished ultra marathon runner, set off today on his attempt to break the record for the fastest AT completion. Based on his Facebook athlete page he departed on May 30 from Springer Mountain. He has a tracking site through a sponsor, RoadID.

Harvey Lewis' Facebook Page

Where's Harvey RoadID Tracking Page

Harvey lives and trains in Cincinnati, Ohio and is known for his frequent racing and streak running. His biggest accomplishments include winning the infamous BAdwater 135 twice.

This should be interesting to follow - what does everyone think?

[Slo-go'en]

Good luck. Many have tried, most have failed in short order.

[Rain Man]

If he's "supported" or "sponsored" and marketed (advertisement) by a for-profit corporation for racing on the AT, does that make it a commercial venture? If so, does he have to have a special permit to use this National Park for profit?

I don't know the rules about such things.

[The Old Chief]

Don't know much about these speed hikes but this is a "supported" attempt, correct? Here are my questions. Since the AT is longer this year by at least a mile will the first speed hiker to finish the trail, regardless of time, hold the new record for the new distance of the AT? Can it be called a "world" record when you can't do it anywhere in the world but the AT?

[OwenRunning]

If he's "supported" or "sponsored" and marketed (advertisement) by a for-profit corporation for racing on the AT, does that make it a commercial venture? If so, does he have to have a special permit to use this National Park for profit?

I don't know the rules about such things.

He is not racing on the Appalachian Trail.

[Slo-go'en]

He is not racing on the Appalachian Trail.

Now that would be interesting. Have two people start at the same time and race towards the summit! Maybe we can have teams

[Feral Bill]

Now that would be interesting. Have two people start at the same time and race towards the summit! Maybe we can have teams

Oh please no!

[Crushed Grapes]

Not really my bag, but good luck to him. Hike your own...run?

[stumpknocker]

Seems like a good guy. Pretty cool that his dad gets to be involved.
Amazing athletes that can do something like this.
Good luck to you Harvey!

Going to have to follow his progress whenever I get a chance on the RoadID site.

[stumpknocker]

Hope he gets some good sleep.
I just checked his RoadID and it looks like he is well on his way with 53.1 miles done on his first day.
He should be done with Georgia around noon on day 2.

Again...amazing athlete!!

[OwenRunning]

On behalf of all trail runners, please know that none of us want there to be a “race” on the Appalachian Trail. I feel like we go through his every time there is an FKT attempt and that some hikers on this forum perpetualize this notion of racing even though no one wants it to happen.

[ScottS]

On behalf of all trail runners, please know that none of us want there to be a “race” on the Appalachian Trail. I feel like we go through his every time there is an FKT attempt and that some hikers on this forum perpetualize this notion of racing even though no one wants it to happen.

I'd do a race.

[cmoulder]

On behalf of all trail runners, please know that none of us want there to be a “race” on the Appalachian Trail. I feel like we go through his every time there is an FKT attempt and that some hikers on this forum perpetualize this notion of racing even though no one wants it to happen.

It's 'vapors season', doncha know? Time for people to declare their thru was ruined by some guy running past them in SNP.

[Malto]

It's 'vapors season', doncha know? Time for people to declare their thru was ruined by some guy running past them in SNP.

Yeah, running at a blazing 4mph. The wind almost knocked me down.

[TJ aka Teej]

No commercial events allowed in Baxter. He'll have to stop at the Abol Stream footbridge.

[D2maine]

No commercial events allowed in Baxter. He'll have to stop at the Abol Stream footbridge.

that is silly


Lets just hope harvey lewis learned what to do and what not to do from the damage done to the hiking community in Baxter by Jurek(and others)...if we hope to keep Baxter Park Authority from imposing even more restrictions on long distance hikers. It would really suck for long distance hikers if they lost their current special permits and had to follow the same rules for access to the park as everybody else.

[George]

that is silly


Lets just hope harvey lewis learned what to do and what not to do from the damage done to the hiking community in Baxter by Jurek(and others)...if we hope to keep Baxter Park Authority from imposing even more restrictions on long distance hikers. It would really suck for long distance hikers if they lost their current special permits and had to follow the same rules for access to the park as everybody else.

not silly, it is pushback for irresponsible sponsors such as should be blamed for the Jurek BS - they are what makes it "commercial" - no problem IMO if the rules are enforced / they are excluded

without repercussions there is no reason for sponsors to follow the rules - is a 500$ fine for cliff bars a meaningful deterrent? not at all - is stopping a sponsored runner from entering the park a deterrent so the stunt that they sponsored can not be completed? - certainly

[OwenRunning]

not silly, it is pushback for irresponsible sponsors such as should be blamed for the Jurek BS - they are what makes it "commercial" - no problem IMO if the rules are enforced / they are excluded

without repercussions there is no reason for sponsors to follow the rules - is a 500$ fine for cliff bars a meaningful deterrent? not at all - is stopping a sponsored runner from entering the park a deterrent so the stunt that they sponsored can not be completed? - certainly

I don’t think many others will have quite the fanfare as Jurek. Jurek was a global icon in the sport prior to his attempt to he had quite the following.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chair-man]

No commercial events allowed in Baxter. He'll have to stop at the Abol Stream footbridge.

I doubt it. Simply having sponsors support a hike shouldn't prevent someone from ascending Katahdin. Could you show which rule you're referring to that he would be breaking? https://baxterstatepark.org/rules-and-permits/


Anyway, good luck to Harvey and glad to see the live tracking.

[Crushed Grapes]

Road ID is showing him almost at the NC border. So like 76 miles in a day and a half?