Trailrunning

adidas TERREX - Fastest Known Time

United States of America

The year 2020 was unusual in many ways! In our Documentary we showcase the journey of three professional Trailrunning athletes and their individual stories. In a year with no races and no real competition with other athletes they searched for new opportunities to challenge themselves. Through FKT projects (Fastest Known Time) they found a platform to be competitive again and set new benchmarks in their sport.  

The show is a mixture of personal stories, overcoming the depression and lack of purpose that came with the lockdown in 2020 as well as a glimpse into the world of professional trailrunning athletes, their mindset and their competitive thinking.

We follow Taylor Nowlin, Stephen Kersh and Sabrina Stanley during their preparation and their attempt to break current records on existing FKT routes.

Taylor Nowlin attempts the Enchantment Lakes Traverse in Washington. Fitting in training sessions and the actual attempt itself in between her shifts as a nurse in the middle of a worldwide pandemic makes the planning and logistics a challenge of its own. The Enchantment Lakes Traverse starts at the Stuart Lake trailhead and winds itself 19 miles (30km) and 4,900 vertical feet (1.500m) through the amazing scenery that greets you in the Enchantment region in Washington. To set a record Talyor is required to run this stunning Trail in less than four-and-a-half hours.

The second story portraits the comeback of Stephen Kersh who is finally able to run again after a terrible health diagnosis the year before. Stephen challenges himself on the Timberline Trail and wants to prove to himself as well as to the community out there, that he is once again someone to be reckoned with in the world of trailrunning. The Timberline Trail around Mt. Hood is one of Oregon’s most iconic and scenic trails. This 40-mile (64km) loop with a total elevation gain of about 10,000ft (3.000m) was born in the 1930s and circumnavigates america’s most picturesque peak.

Sabrina Stanley goes for the infamous Nolan’s 14 FKT Route. Nolan's 14 consists of climbing/hiking/running fourteen 14,000-foot (4.000m) mountains in Colorado's Sawatch Range. The exact route is open, but the distance is about 90+ miles (145km) and elevation gain is around 40,000 feet (12.000m) minimum. Despite struggling with unearthly conditions due to heavy wildfires in the area she manages to break the existing record by more than 7 hours just to get beaten again 3 weeks later. Sabrina heads out to tackle Nolan’s once more. Will she be able to finish it a second time within that short period and even set a new record time?