Sophie Grant’s Via Alpina FKT

Much talked about – eventually – effort by Sophie Grant on one of Europe’s most beloved long distance routes. (I chuckled when our dear friends on Freetrail’s Rest Day described the Via Alpina as a route that people are now discovering… oh sweet summer child… this route isn’t new. Big Alps crossings, and especially this one have been celebrated, attempted, and talked about for many many many years… just in the wrong continent, apparently.) But back to Sophie:

On Saturday, August 1, New Zealander Sophie Woods (née Grant) finished her traverse of the entire length of the Alps, on the Via Alpina route, setting a new overall supported fastest known time of 28 days, 17 hours, and 59 minutes. This beats both the prior men’s record of 35 days, 21 hours, and 4 minutes, set by the U.K.’s Jake Catterall in 2024, and the previous women’s record of 38 days, 2 hours, and 54 minutes, set by Tessa Caspers (The Netherlands) in 2025.

What an incredible achievement. And yes, Stephanie is right when she says on Instagram:

When men attempt records like this, there are film crews and live trackers and headlines. Sophie has her loyal friends, @zoe_salt_photography taking amazing photos, and of course her partner George, who is ALWAYS behind her. But honestly, she should have the world watching her because what she is doing is beyond comprehension and human capability.

What does it take for the media to pick up stories like hers and celebrate her – and not just after we’ve gotten yelled at? Who was part of her media team on the ground sending updates along the way?

PS: Sophie’s story can be watched online as part of the Trail Running Film Festival’s ‘Online Long Films‘.