NY Runner 1st to Conquer 90-mile Stretch of Appalachian Trail

Many of us go through our days looking to just get through the work hours. When they're over, it's on to the next few to call our own. What we do with those precious minutes often differs amongst most. Some focus on work goals, others personal accomplishments. The elite and the bold, at times the foolish, take on feats that have yet to be accomplished. It is amazing what people can do when they set their minds to something. What's even more amazing, is when people are able to physically conquer terrain faster than anyone else has. That's what Katherine Spector of Kent Cliffs in Putnam County, NY did on October 16th.

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According the Poughkeepsie Journal, in an article by Pete Colaizzo, the 40 year old Kent Cliffs resident became "the first woman to continuously complete the roughly 90-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail in New York State earlier this month." Colaizzo noted "the months of rigorous and specific trail training uniquely prepared her to complete this task, making it a remarkable personal accomplishment. But Spector’s Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail was yet another example of the closely knit and incredibly supportive local trail running community."

Spector’s was not only the first woman to complete the trail, her official time was 1 day, 2 hours, 24 minutes and 4 seconds. The fastest male time, unofficially, is 1 day, 18 hours, 37 minutes and 42 seconds. Katherine wins!

In an e-mail interview with the Poughkeepsie Journal, Katherine Spector expressed her gratitude to all of those that helped her make this dream happen. “I initially had wanted to do this with very minimal support, but the responses I got back of people who wanted to be involved was incredible. I had an amazing 13 people assisting me as either car crew or pacing. It was a full team effort and really made for an incredible experience." Awesome accomplishment Katherine! It's amazing what New Yorker's do when they put their minds to something.