Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

“Can anyone let me know if there is a site that shows Grand Canyon Rim to Rim record completion times? Also looking for Rim to Rim to Rim finish times as well. The competitive Triathlete in me is curious to know before my September trip. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Dan”

“try posting that question at www.summitpost.org - in the AZ or Southwest forum - there's a bunch of crazy ultra runners on that site - they might know where to point you.”

“Last year one of the regulars on backpacker.com did a trip like this. His wife died from heat stroke or something.

I don't know the area, but the heat is apparently a real issue.”

“yea, now would definitely be a bad idea to try for the record. temps down there have to be murderous in the daytime. late fall would be a good time, but then you have the issue of running out of daylight, plus the roads to the north rim are closed at some point. find out when the north rim is closed, and do it right before that”

“then again, the record's probably just 4 or 5 hours, daylight really wouldnt be an issue. mule trains might slow you down if you run into them, however. see if you can find out how to best avoid them”

“see if you can find out how to best avoid them

Straight down the canyon wall comes to mind... but that's probably not feasible.”

“This is all I found: from: http://www.grandcanyontreks.org/faq.htm


The rim to rim run across the Grand Canyon has always been regarded as an adventure runners great challenge. Not sanctioned by the Park Service, the annual event is held each October, unofficially. In 1981 the quest for canyon speed-hiking records begins in earnest with Allyn Cureton's three hour, six minute North rim - to - South rim traverse. The 20.6 mile, 10,550 vertical foot record stands to this day.

Ultrarunning Magazine lists Allyn Cureton, 64 years old today, of Williams, AZ holds the records:

Single Crossing (N. Kaibab - S. Kaibab) on 10-4-81 in 3:06:47 (20.6 mi.)

Double Crossing (S. to N. to S. Kaibab) on 11-9-81 in 7:51:23 (41.2 mi. ca. 12,000' elev. gain)

There have been a number of folks try to break Allyn's records and they were hammered. Note that Allyn was 44 years old when he set these records.”

“Welcome to TT, IronmanDan. Are you a troll?
"Not sanctioned by the Park Service" must be for a reason. Why don't you ask the Park Service instead of just attempting to discover the reason personally?”

“seeing as how its "not sanctioned by the Park Service", they probably wouldnt tell him, because they probably dont keep records.

and why would IMD be a troll? he's asking very specific questions regarding a specific area, and not causing trouble. not every newb is a troll”

“He might learn just why it's "not sanctioned by the Park Service." In other words, they might warn him of specific, dangerous spots along the trail and/or other things to consider.

I did not call him a troll. I simply asked him a "yes/no" question since he appears to be new on TT.

Besides, I'm jealous since it is something that I can no longer attempt.
last edited: 6/24/08 8:19:45 AM”

“Thanks to everyone for getting this info to me so quickly! I especially want to thank spindlette for the www.grandcanyontreks.org website. This is exactly what I was looking for. I do not take offense to questions or names concerning my inquiry. No, I am not a troll (whatever that means). My best friend and I plan this trek in mid September. We do a lot of heat training here in Phoenix and know how to prepare and maintain health during endurance events. A plus is that he is a physician that keeps me in check. We will decide soon if we go Rim to Rim or Rim to Rim to Rim. More to come! Thanks again! Dan”

“You're welcome IMD.

Have fun, be safe, and please come tell us all about it.”

“asking someone if theyre a troll is the same as insinuating it. why would you ask someone that? if they are, theyre gonna say no, and if theyre not, theyre gonna say no”

“I guess you know best.”

“My buddy and I are pretty sure we will go Rim to Rim and set a completion goal somewhere between 5-6 hours. We both have an Olympic Triathlon the next week and this option gives us daylight for the entire Trek. We have no concerns about fitness but we will be well prepared for hydration and nutrition to work towards a successful trip.”

“Be sure and report back how it goes!

Good luck in the tri!”

“Well we did it! This past Sunday (9/14/08) the two of us started at the North Rim on the Kiabab Trail and started our run down to the bottom at Phantom Ranch. Then up the Bright Angel Trail to the South Rim. We decided our goal would be to complete it all in under 6 hours. We beat that time finishing at 5:33:30. My partner in this whole thing (IronmanMike) was a speed demon down the 14+ mile to the bottom. I had a hard time keeping up with him but I am stronger going up hill and felt good through the Devil's Corkscrew and the last 3 miles to thew top. We finished the 24+ miles total together. I really feel 5 hours is very doable. We spent almost 20 minutes at Phantom Ranch just talking with other campers and we stopped to take a lot of pictures the whole morning and still finished before 11am. We are sore like after a marathon and still hope to be recovered enough for this weekend's Olympic distance Triathlon. Thank you all for your help! What a blast and accomplishment! We were pumped! IMDan”

“nice!

congrats.”

“sweet! congrats. very inspiring.

but after all, it's just walking.”

“no, it's just running”

“Well done IMDan and IMMike. :)

How was the heat? How much water did you carry?

Will the pics be put up online?”

“Hey spindlette! Thank you! It was your original info that really helped us plan for last Sunday's adventure. The weather was really good. It was 47 degrees at 5:40 a.m. when we left the North Rim. Very nice. We shed the long sleeve Under Armour shirt by hour #2. It was probably only 70+ degrees at Phantom Ranch (the bottom) only because it was still pretty early. (before 8:00 a.m.) The day's high was in the mid 90's but we were done way before that! Minimal wind and only 3 mule trains to let pass up the Angel Bright Trail.

I hope this works - here is a link to my photos at Athlinks.com. Check it out. You may have to register to view but they are good shots.

http://www.athlinks.com/gallery/16418/Dan-and-Mike-s-Excellent-Rim-to-Rim-Adventure!.aspx

Let me know if this works and you can view this.

If not try this link to my profiel and then find the photo album.

http://www.athlinks.com/racer.aspx?rid=34182

Let me know what you think!

IMD”

“Glad to help. A most excellent adventure! The first link worked fine with no need to register.

Such a beautiful place and a brag-worthy time. You two don't even look stressed!

Will you do it again?”

“Thx! Definitely Yes! We gotta get that sub 5 hour time! It is actually more desirable to us to go back to Rim to Rim to improve that time than it is to go Rim to Rim to Rim. I think we can do it but it would be MAJOR endurance test - and it would be a LONG day. I compare what we did to a good marathon - where RimX3 would be more like an Ironman or Ultra Marathon type experience.”