The new record for running across the United States is 42 days, 6 hours, 30 minutes, set Oct. 24, 2016, by Pete Kostelnick. He ran 3,067 miles from San Francisco to New York City.
Kostelnick’s feat breaks a remarkably long-standing record. The previous across-America record — 46 days, 8 hours, 36 minutes — was set by Frank Giannino Jr., whose San Francisco to New York run took place from Sept. 1 to Oct. 17, 1980.
Runners celebrated in New York and online as Kostelnick arrived at the end of his mind-blowing run. The two-time Badwater 135 Champion and HOKA ONE ONE athlete finished at the New York City Hall steps.
Run Across America
To complete the run, Kostelnick ran an average of more than 72 miles each day. According to a press release, he started each day between 3 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. along with members of his support team.
The endeavor was closely monitored by many runners. In an era of frequent cheats, Kostelnick and his team documented the run rigorously for Guinness World Records’ consideration. Kostelnick wore two identical GPS watches (in case one broke) to capture data of his run. In the afternoon, he replaced those with two more GPS watches with fresh batteries.
The combined data was sent to Guinness as evidence for review and approval.
The support team also gathered witness signatures, took videos and photos, and assembled media reports. Every receipt generated along the way will be submitted as evidence to Guinness for validation of this record-breaking attempt, the team said.
Check out his GPS track online.
Six Weeks On The Road
Since kicking off his run on Sept. 12, the runner and his team stayed the course. They moved steadily, 15 to 18 hours a day, with volunteers working inside an RV home-away-from-home and two smaller support vehicles.
Kostelnick began sleeping in the RV three nights prior to the run’s start. Since then he did not sleep more than 200 yards from the carefully plotted 3,100-mile route.
Primary support crew Chuck Dale and Dean Hart played a very long game of leapfrog with Kostelnick, driving one to three miles ahead to hand off food and water through the long days.
Gradually, they crossed the vast mountains and plains of North America.
Congratulations to Pete Kostelnick. His run proves that even decades-old records can fall given planning, teamwork, and perseverance.
Learn more about Kostelnick’s trans-continental run at https://www.petesfeetaa.com/.
