Congratulations to a true Olympic Athlete

Jenn Pharr Davis at Springer Mountain, GA

 At 3:26 PM this afternoon, a true Olympic athlete was born. No, she will not get the gold medal, stand on a podium or have the National Anthem sung in honor of her accomplishment. But Jennifer Pharr Davis is still a champion, having completed an epic journey. As a supported hiker, she posted the FASTEST time EVER to finish the Appalachian Trail, 2,181 miles, from Maine to Georgia in 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes.


Congratulations, Jenn!
I had the opportunity to meet Jenn back in 2006 before my first AT completion. It was in the bathroom of our church of all places. I was having my doubts about my hike the following year. That Sunday the pastor's wife came up and said I needed to meet the guest that came as she had hiked the Appalachian Trail. She had been invited to our service from a friend. I ran into Jenn in the bathroom at the sinks and we started talking. She told me how she got her trail name and talked of how strong her ankles were to hike the Appalachian Trail in trail runners, which she did the first time she thru-hiked (I was still questioning the thought of a long distance hike in trail runners at that point, and really the crazy idea of doing the whole trail to begin with). She was a great encouragement, telling me to go do it. I am thankful to have met her, even if it was in a bathroom :) and wish her all the best.