TOAustralian ultrarunner Julie Brock has completed a 2,700-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) supported hike in just under 70 days. The 59-year-old grandmother and accomplished endurance athlete from northern Sydney finished her trek south at the Mexican border on October 10.
Her average pace of 39 miles per day sets the record for the fastest supported southbound PCT hike among women. With the completion of the PCT, Brock also caps a rigorous three-year Triple Crown journey, having hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2023 and the Continental Divide Trail in 2024.
«Who knows what the body is capable of? That’s what I wanted to see,» Brock said to the San Francisco Chroniclesummarizing his driving philosophy.
Photo: David Byrnes/Julie Brock
Defying the odds
Brock’s speed record is particularly notable because of the significant personal challenges he overcame. At 59, he is substantially older than the group of endurance athletes who typically compete for PCT speed records, and he openly shares that he began ultracross racing later in his fifties, after being overweight and a long-time smoker.
Additionally, Brock is partially blind in one eye, causing severe depth perception issues that made nighttime sections of the rugged trail particularly dangerous. “Although Julie would downplay it, she often has trouble finding trails at night because she is blind in one eye and very nearsighted in the other.«wrote Brock’s partner, triple crowner Dave Byrnes, in a mail On Facebook.
She was supported throughout the 2,700-mile effort by Byrnes, who frequently met her along the trail with an RV, providing her with essential high-calorie meals, including microwaved dinners and ice cream, to maintain her caloric intake.
Southward
Brock began her journey south on August 1, a late summer start that presented a strategic gamble: It avoided the deepest snows of the Cascades and High Sierra, but risked pushing her through the extreme heat of the Mojave Desert and the most active part of the wildfire season.
Photo: David Byrnes/Julie Brock
Fortunately, Brock faced a relatively quiet fire season. PCT standalone record holder Nick Fowler acknowledged his excellent timing. “This was a year for someone to take advantage of a great weather window, so kudos to them,” Fowler told the SF Chronicle. «It’s an incredible achievement.»
Brock overcame immense physical exhaustion, sometimes walking in 70-mile bursts to find support at isolated hotspots. Despite the pain and moments of doubt, his determination remained firm.
Brock has officially submitted his GPS tracks to FastestKnownTime.com for ratification. «Either way, «She doesn’t care if she’s not recognized as an FKT,» Byrnes said of her achievement in a Facebook comment. «I just wanted to see how quickly I could do it and inspire others to try new things and set ambitious goals.»
Brock herself told the SF Chronicle that she feels a deep sense of accomplishment.regardless of the result of the official record. “I didn’t think it was possible,” he reflected to the Chronicle. «For me, I’m excited about it.»
Featured image: Julie Brock celebrates at the PCT’s southern terminus. Photo through
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