Brian Robinson

Brian Robinson is a competitive distance hiker and long-distance runner, holding multiple world-firsts and ultramarathon world records. Robinson was the first person to hike the Triple Crown of Hiking (Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Continental Divide Trail) in one year, a total distance of over 7,000 miles.

Hiker Triple Crown

In 2000, Robinson decided to take a six-month leave of absence from his job at Compaq and attempt the Pacific Crest Trail with his father Roy, who himself is a seasoned backpacker. Midway through the trip, Brian realized the Hiker Triple Crown might be achievable in a single year.

Robinson completed the Triple Crown with support from his friends and family. Support for his pursuit ranged from notes of encouragement in trail registers, to regular food resupplies mailed to strategic points along the route, Because of his rapid hiking pace, his fellow through-hikers began calling him "Flyin' Brian", a trail name he continues to use.

Ultramarathons

In the years following his calendar-year Hiker Triple Crown, Robinson became an active ultramarathoner. He has completed several 100-mile races, including the Western States 100 and the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run. In 2008 he set the record at the Barkley Marathons, a grueling 100+ mile course in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee. His record time was held for four years, until surpassed in 2012. A feature in the Washington Post chronicles his attempt to finish the race in 2007.

Footnotes

Hikers