Averaging more than 70 miles a day on America’s back roads, 29-year-old Pete Kostlenick is threatening to fell one of ultrarunning’s longest standing records—the fastest run across the country. The current mark was set by a running shoe salesman named Frank Giannino Jr. in 1980 at 46 days, 8 hours, and 36 minutes.

Kostelnick left San Francisco City Hall on September 12, aiming to complete roughly 3,000 miles to New York City on or before October 27. Now 32 days into his journey, he is nearly two-thirds of the way across the country, making his way east through central Illinois.

“He is very consistent,” Dean Hart, a member of Kostelnick’s crew, told Runner’s World by phone. “He obviously has the normal aches and pains that come with that kind of mileage, but some of these fresh ultramarathoners are coming and running all day with him and having to leave early because they can’t keep up with him. He keeps his groove and runs all day.”

Though Kostelnick is focused on the run and unavailable for comment, Hart said he aims to wake up before 3:30 a.m. to log up to 40 morning miles in around seven hours. He takes a break to eat breakfast before returning for another 30 to 32 miles, averaging about nine minutes per mile, in the afternoon and early evening, wrapping up the run by 5 p.m.

“Early in the morning he is grumpy getting up, but after a few miles he is Pete again,” Hart said. “He is pretty even keel all day.”

Kostelnick has already built an impressive ultrarunning resume. His most notable accomplishments include winning the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon in 2015 and 2016. He set the course record earlier this year, finishing in 21:56:26.

This summer, as Kostelnick set his sights on breaking the trans-America attempt, three runners had already failed to do so this year. Ultrarunning newcomer Adam Kimble finished the trek, but did so 14 days slower than the record. Lisa Smith-Batchen, who already holds the record for fastest time running 50 miles in all 50 states, dropped out this spring after needing emergency gallbladder surgery. And British ultrarunner Robert Young deserted the attempt in Indiana, marred by a broken foot and allegations of cheating. An investigation released earlier this month concluded that he received “unauthorized assistance.”

With just more than two weeks to go, Kostelnick has weathered snowstorms in Utah and 35-mile winds to become the closest to break the record in decades.

And as the profile of his attempt continues to rise, Kostelnick is broadcasting his live location on his website, and is uploading his GPS data to Strava daily.

Runner’s World will provide frequent updates as he approaches New York City.

Kit Fox Special Projects Editor Kit has been a health, fitness, and running journalist for the past five years.

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