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Adventure News of the Week: Death on the PCT, Leadville Return, Long Trail FKT, and More

Leadville Heavy Half Marathon finisherPhoto courtesy: Life Time Fitness
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From the inspiring to the tragic, ‘Adventure News of the Week’ presents a wrap-up of top news in the world of exploration and adventure. 

BIKE: Retired Cop Begins Cycling Across the U.S. for Suicide Awareness. Retired North Carolina police officer Christopher Lowrence is biking across a section of the U.S. to raise money for Blue H.E.L.P, an organization that collects law enforcement suicide data and supports families in the case a family member commits death by suicide.

Lowrence is raising money — and awareness — on his ride: a dollar sponsors 100 miles of his 4,000-mile journey on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. He is up to a $20,000 goal. Visit this site to track Lowrence’s progress and read updates.

FKT: Mikaela “Fly By” Osler Shatters New Long Trail FKT. University of New Mexico student and avid speed hiker Mikaela Osler has bested yet another FKT, finishing Vermont’s Long Trail unsupported, in 6 days 11 hours and 33 minutes. Her FKT has been confirmed by FastestKnownTime.com. Osler also holds records on the Colorado Trail, PCT, and the Connecticut section of the AT.

DEATH: Woman Dies Hiking Pacific Crest Trail. A woman died last week while hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail, reported the L.A. Times. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call, and later a helicopter discovered two hikers; one reported injured and one deceased at the scene. Neither of the hikers’ identities has been released.

The woman was found in Riverside County near the southern terminus of the PCT.

RACE: Leadville Marathon and Heavy Half Wraps Up in Colorado High Country. The Leadville Marathon and Heavy Half, canceled in 2020 due to COVID, was back on this weekend. The route runs up and over several passes, including the 13,185-foot Mosquito Pass.

Leadville local Noah Williams placed first for the marathon for men, with Brittany Charboneau coming in first among females. Brandon Krage, 27, and another Leadville local, Jessica Roberts, 33, came in first for the Heavy Half for men and women, respectively.

NEWS: Running Nonprofit Announces 5K Race for Land Protection. ReNew Earth Running (RER), a new Minneapolis-based nonprofit, is hosting a 5K to benefit the Wakan Tipi sacred Tribal lands. The nonprofit’s mission is “running to protect and heal the environment by restoring land to the stewardship of Tribal Nations and Indigenous leadership.” The race will be hosted on August 21 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Sign up and learn more.

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