Aurélien Sanchez Sets New Speed Record on Pacific Crest Trail

Aurélien Sanchez, a 35-year-old runner from Toulouse, France, has established a new speed record for the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), completing the 2,650-mile trek from Mexico to Canada in 46 days, 12 hours, and 50 minutes. This achievement, recorded on July 23, surpassed the previous record set in 2023 by Karel Sabbe by 16 hours.

During his attempt, Sanchez faced significant challenges, including running up to 59 miles daily while managing fatigue and limited sleep. He noted that the trail conditions were particularly difficult this year due to fallen trees and dense vegetation, which slowed his progress. Despite these obstacles, he maintained a steady pace, believing in his ability to break the record.

Sanchez's journey was meticulously planned, although he encountered unexpected difficulties with access points for his support team. He expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from the previous record holder regarding logistical information. While he enjoyed the speed of his run, he acknowledged that the experience differed greatly from the traditional hiking journey many undertake on the PCT.