Aurélien Sanchez lost for words after incredible Pacific Crest Trail FKT

Aurélien Sanchez has called his recent fastest known time (FKT) on the iconic Pacific Crest Trail the “adventure of his life”.

The Frenchman is already a legendary figure in ultrarunning circles having set the men’s then-overall unsupported FKT on the 223-mile John Muir Trail in 2018 before becoming finisher number 16 at the infamous Barkley Marathons in 2023.

But the Pacific Crest Trail took things several stages further as it crosses the United States from the border with Mexico at Campo, California, to the border with Canada at Manning Provincial Park in British Columbia.

The route spans an incredible 2,653 miles and features more than 400,000 feet of elevation gain.

It also already had an impressive FKT from fellow Barkley finisher Karel Sabbe of 46 days, 12 hours and 50 minutes from 2023.

‘I don’t have the words’

But Sanchez set his stall out to go under 46 days and despite the inevitable challenges along the way, he managed it in some style, completing it in 45 days, 20 hours and 15 minutes.

And writing on his social channels afterwards, he said (translated from French): “Pacific Crest Trail, you have been the adventure of my life, and now it’s over. I don’t have the words. 🤍🥹😭

“I don’t yet know how I’m going to tell this story, but I can already say that it was the most intense, brutal, crazy, beautiful, unexpected and incredible adventure I’ve ever experienced. ❤️‍🩹🏔️

“Thank you to @lucille_malgouyres and @martymontagne31 for your total commitment, for giving everything to make this dream possible. “I’ll be forever grateful. ❤️

Thank you to @hikewithpunisher, Tracy, Gilbert and @taylor.fri for joining the adventure. Mile after mile, we became a family, and it was incredible. 🤍”

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Not about the numbers

Sanchez continued: “It’s a new Fastest Known Time in 45 days, 20 hours and 10 minutes, but what matters most to me isn’t the numbers. “It’s the people, the memories, the emotions, the laughter, the tears, the struggles, and everything we experienced together. Those moments will stay with me forever.

“I need a little time to process it all, to rest, and to find the words – or at least try to tell this story as best I can. It’s going to be difficult.

For now, I simply want to say thank you.

“Thank you so much for your support throughout this adventure. Every message, every comment and every word of encouragement meant far more than you can imagine, and gave me the strength to keep moving forward—always in support of @villages_du_monde_pour_enfants. 🙏🏼🤍

“And finally, thank you to my partners for believing in this slightly crazy dream and helping make it possible. 🙏🏼

“It was incredible. See you all very soon for more stories and reflections.”