| What it is | Fastest recorded time on a route |
| Outside | Formal races |
| Styles | Unsupported / self-supported / supported |
| Verified by | GPS tracks & community |
An FKT, or Fastest Known Time, is the fastest recorded time for completing a specific route or peak, set outside of organized races and verified by the community (often via GPS tracks). FKT attempts come in styles — unsupported, self-supported, and supported — and have grown hugely popular as a flexible, race-free way to test fitness on iconic lines.
Race-free records
A way to push trail running and ultrarunning limits, sometimes with a crew, on routes measured by distance and vert.
Frequently asked questions
What is an FKT?
An FKT (Fastest Known Time) is the fastest documented time anyone has completed a particular route, summit, or trail, achieved outside of an organized race. Athletes announce their intent, record their effort (usually with GPS), and submit it for community review, creating an informal but tracked record for that line.
What are the FKT styles?
There are three main styles: unsupported (you carry everything and receive no help), self-supported (you may use caches you placed or resources available to anyone, like stores or water sources), and supported (a crew or pacers assist you along the way). Records are tracked separately by style, since the support level greatly affects difficulty.
How are FKTs verified?
Typically by submitting a detailed trip report and a GPS track (and sometimes photos) to a recognized FKT registry, where the community can review the route, timing, and adherence to the chosen style. While less formal than a race, the GPS-based documentation and peer scrutiny give FKTs credibility.
Sources
- FKT guidelines — Fastest Known Time
- Trail running culture — American Trail Running Association