Rim-to-Rim (R2R): Rob Krar, 2h51m28s, 5/25/2012. NEW R2R2R FKT: Rob Krar, 6h21m47s, 5/11/2013. Previous R2R2R: Dakota Jones, 6h53m38s, 11/5/2011. R2R2R (women): Bethany Lewis, 8h15m51s, 11/6/2011. R2R2R2R2R: Jim Nelson, 22h48m, 11/6/1999. R2R2R2R2R2R2R2R (really!): Jason Vaughan, 68h10m, 5/4-7/2013.
The Rim-to-Rim (R2R), R2R2R, and R2R2R2R2R (!) have been huge classics for many years. A speed record here really counts as a world-class performance, as many of the best mountain runners have tested their mettle in the Canyon. The fastest times are typically set by running the North and South Kaibab Trails.
Rim-to-Rim: As best I can tell the record was held by Allyn Cureton, 3h06m47s set way back on 10/4/1981, starting on the North Rim, until it was broken by just 37 seconds by Jared Scott on May 27, 2011 (see below). That record lasted just less than a year, and was broken by Rob Krar with an excellent 2h51m28s on 5/25/12 (see below). Jason Wolfe (2h58m30s) and Jared Scott (3h3m10s) also broke the old record that day. A detailed report with splits is on Wolfe's blog.
Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim: Cureton also held the R2R2R record for 25 years at 7h51m23s, set in an actual race on 11/9/1981 (S to N to S Kaibab trails). Races have long been banned in the National Parks. The record was finally bested on 11/10/2006 by Kyle Skaggs, 7h37m. Kyle had to run a little extra due to a bridge being out. A year later (11/10/2007) Dave Mackey ran 6h59m56s. Mackey reported being held up for several minutes on his ascent back up the South Kaibab by a mule train. Mackey's record held for about 4 years before being broken by Dakota Jones who ran 6h53m38s on Nov. 5, 2011. Jones reported on his blog as follows: "...Mackey was held up for several minutes during his record run on the way back up the South Rim by a mule train. A similar thing happened to me, except that instead of a mule train I was held up by being astoundingly tired. I ran hard, but never felt like I was approaching my comfort zone until the final climb, when I entered the suffer zone and then fell into the abyss of despair. From the few reports I have read as well as my own two experiences running the Double Crossing, two facts seems to be permanent for all runners: 1.) Nobody goes into it rested. Everybody just runs the Grand Canyon as a training run, or in between races, or when getting back into shape. Nobody trains and tapers specifically for the Grand Canyon. 2.) You're going to blow up on the ascent back to the South Rim. Stop deluding yourself - it's going to happen. You can't avoid it. However, I will stick my neck out and say that a fit and rested runner who finds the Canyon in good condition could significantly lower the time. My prediction is that within five years the men's record will be under six hours. Go ahead - call me out on that. It will happen." Jones also reported the following splits: River(49m), North Rim(3h22m), River(5h12m), South Rim(6h53m38s). Anton Krupicka failed to beat Jones' time on April 20, 2013, 6h59m24s, just 32s faster than Mackey's 2007 time. Then, on 5/11/2013, Rob Krar brought the FKT all the way down to 6h21m47s, as reported below.
As far as I can tell, prior to 2011 the fastest time by a woman was Emily Baer's 9h25m in 2003 or so. However, 2011 was a banner year for women's speed records on the R2R2R. On April 19, Krissy Moehl and Devon Crosby-Helms ran the route in 9h12m, as reported below and on Moehl's blog and Crosby-Helms' blog. This record stood just 4 days, and was broken on April 23 by Darcy Africa, who ran 8h25m26s, as reported below (with splits). Finally, on Nov. 6 Bethany Lewis lowered the bar still further, running 8h15m51s, with an unusual North Rim start. This was reported on www.irunfar.com.
Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim: The double R2R2R is rarely done. The fastest is by Jim Nelson, 22h48m on 11/6/1999. The following additional quad crossing information is courtesy of Davy Crockett: Previously, Wally Shiel established the quad record on 10/4/1987, with a time of 24h45m. Others who have completed quad crossings are Dana Miller (1993), Susan Gimbel (1994), Davy Crockett (2006), and Jason Vaughn (2013) who did 43h31m on his way to the first ever triple R2R2R (see below).
Though the North and South Kaibab Trails have seen the most speed record activity, there are many, many other great routes in the Grand Canyon! Who's going to claim a record for the amazing Hermit-Boucher loop? How about the complete Tonto Trail? Or any of the remarkable, obscure routes off the North Rim? Davy Crockett has done some very long, wild routes in the canyon, such as a double crossing via North Kaibab to Grandview trailhead and back (83 miles) in 34h07m on 10/12-13/2007, and North Kaibab to Hermits Rest and back in 34h00m hours (87 miles) on 11/24-25/2006.
South Kaibab Trail
Stephanie Ehret on the Hermit-Boucher loop
Posted by Jamil on Apr 27, 2010, 7:40pm
Thought I would post a link to a recent R2R2R record attempt from Jason Wolfe of Flagstaff posted on Ian Torrence's blog. His total time was 7:12:44. It's a good read and shows promise of lowering the record in the fall:
I've referenced his splits on this page for quick viewing: Spilts (Plan vs. Actual)
Section Actual Split Plan Split SRim to River 55:38 58:00 River to Cottonwood 1:04:44 1:00:00 Cottonwood to NRim 1:26:23 1:30:00 NRim to Cottonwood 1:04:34 1:00:00 Cottonwood to River 1:00:54 1:00:00 River to SRim 1:40:28 1:30:00 Total 7:12:44
Food / Fuel
Gel Bottle = about 4 Gels finished about ˝ up NRim 1/3 of a Power Bar on way down from NRim Bag of Chomps from Roaring Springs to Phantom 2 Endurolytes just after Cottonwood Campground 1 Gel pack 1/3 the way up SKaibab
Things to do Different / Opportunities for Improvement
Bring a few more gels Optimal time to run probably in late-Oct / Nov / early-Dec due to temperature and snow / ice Taper (or semi-Taper) Push the “flats” harder Run with a group vs. solo
Dana Miller did the quad in 1994, not 1993 (I was with him). He was shooting for a sub-24, but got very nauseous on the last crossing, puked his guts out all the way up the SK to the finish. He was the first one to do it, though.
I don't know, but Scott Jurek did it last year in around 32 hours. You can check his Facebook for more info. Please report back if you discover anything interesting! You might also check with Davy Crockett who seems to know a lot about the canyon.
Posted by Krissy Devon on Apr 17, 2011, 5:40pm
To make it official we are excited to state our intention to run the womens FKT on the R2R2R. Devon Crosby-Helms and Krissy Moehl intend to start at 6am on Tuesday April 19, 2011 on the S. Kaibab trail and do a complete out and back. (S. Kaibab & N. Kaibab). We will time ourselves, take photos and have witnesses at start and finish. Finally we will post our results here after the run. Wish us a speedy and safe journey!
On April 15-16, 2011 I ran a solo, self-supported Traverse of the Tonto Trail from South Bass Canyon to Cottonwood Creek in 27:56:51, about 77 miles. I think the complete traverse of the Tonto should be South Bass to Red Canyon (Hance Rapids). That can be debated because trails continue on either end, but on the east it is no longer called the Tonto and on the west it requires an out-and-back. I didn't quite make it all the way to Red Canyon, ten miles short. Scott Jurek and Joe Grant ran it April 2011 in 32 hours. That time may have been trailhead to trailhead (South Bass to New Hance).
Posted by Devon CrosbyHelms on Apr 20, 2011, 5:52pm
Hey everyone, Just a quick post to confirm that Krissy and I did indeed run the R2R2R yesterday, April 19th, 2011 in 9:12:29. We will be posting splits, blogs and tons of photos and videos as soon as we have them assembled. We are super stoked!
Posted by Devon CrosbyHelms on Apr 23, 2011, 6:58pm
Though we've second hand got reports today that Darcy Africa broke our record, I wanted to make sure I posted up our blogs with all the photos, videos and splits to follow through. It was an epic journey for both Krissy and I!
Darcy Africa crushed the women's R2R2R record on April 23, 2011, 8h25m26s. The record had been lowered to 9h12m just 4 days before by Devon Crosby-Helms and Krissy Moehl. Darcy ran with Dan Brillon until the bottom of the South Kaibab trail on the return, where Dan had some knee problems and let her go. Sue Johnston, who was also running the R2R2R at the time, reports that she and Chris Scott observed Darcy & Dan on the descent of South Kaibab. After reaching the river, Chris returned to the South Rim via the Bright Angel Trail, then took the shuttle bus to the South Kaibab trailhead, arriving about 10 minutes after Darcy finished. Dan and Darcy's husband Bob Africa arrived about 15 minutes later. Dan reports the following splits from the run:
River 0h57m Cottonwood 2h15m Caretaker's House 2h37m North Rim 4h06m Caretaker's House 5h00m River 6h32m South Rim 8h25m26s
Here's a link to Dan's public Facebook page on the run.
Darcy Africa on the South Kaibab Trail (photo by Dan Brillon)
On April 24th, 2011, Jennifer Roach did not come close to breaking Darcy's impressive speed record, but she did complete her 10th R2R2R. Perhaps this is a record for the most R2R2Rs by a woman, or perhaps anyone? Also, 8 of her 10 RRRs have been her 50-mile version, which is down the Bright Angel, east on the Tonto to the South Kaibab, down the lower South Kaibab, up and down the North Kaibab, then back up the complete Bright Angel. I've had the pleasure of going with her on three of these excursions, including this most recent one. I'll be posting photos on my Facebook page. Gerry Roach
The North to South R2R record was broken today by Jason Wolfe and Jared Scott. They clocked a 3:06:10, as reported by my friend Caleb Schiff. More details will be forthcoming, I'm sure.
Before:
After:
Some additional info posted to Facebook:
Caleb Schiff So just to be clear. Jared Scott ran a 3:06:10. Jason Wolfe was feeling strong and making up time on his way up S. Kaibab but got stuck behind a mule train. I believe he would have had it too if not for the asses. His final time was 3:13 and change. db tonight at 5 PM to celebrate.
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