The Benton MacKaye Trail is a 289 mile path that runs from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to Springer Mountain in Georgia. A more secluded trail compared to its much longer brother, The Appalachian Trail. After learning of its history and novelty, Tara Dower asked the usual question common amongst trail runners “how fast can I complete it?” This question sparks her pursuit to set the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the BMT. The adventure that follows gives insight to the requirements of setting an FKT. Long days and nights, violent thunderstorms, search parties, broken down cars and hallucinations are only a few of the hurdles Tara and her crew have to overcome in order to achieve the goal set before them. This book includes two forms of storytelling. A short story written by Dower as she recounts her adventure hiking an average of 60 miles per day, as well as stunning photography from Pete Schreiner. The photos give a glimpse into the complexities of FKTs, beauty of the Benton Mackaye Trail, and persistence of an athlete and her crew.
“Having followed Tara on YouTube and Instagram I admire her determination and athleticism. Now she can add author to her titles. She doesn’t let mental and physical battles keep her from continuing whatever quest she sets for herself. The black and white photography is stunning and tells the story in itself.”
George D Thompson
I’m also selling these stickers made by @wanderingartsandcrafts (Melinda Irby). The North Carolina sticker was designed before I began my FKT attempt on 1,175 mile Mountains-To-Sea Trail. The circular sticker commemorates all those Beast Coast trail runners.
$20 plus shipping -signed copy of Light & Easy with MST FKT Sticker and Beast Coast Sticker
$4 plus shipping -MST FKT
$4 plus shipping -Beast Coast Sticker
to buy email [email protected]
