Tara Dower

Tara Dower (born 1993) is an American ultramarathoner. In 2024, she set the overall fastest known time (FKT) on the Appalachian Trail, heading southbound. She has also set speed records on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Colorado Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail. She won the Umstead 100 overall in 2024.

Early life and education Tara Dower grew up in North Carolina, where she played soccer and participated in track and cross-country during school. In college, she played rugby.

Career In 2017, Dower attempted a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail but had to end the attempt early following a panic attack. She completed the thru-hike in 2019 alongside her husband, Jonathan. She did so before competing in any organized ultramarathon race.

Dower began competing regularly in ultramarathon trail racing in 2021. Over the next few years she ran multiple 100-mile races such as Uwharrie, Cruel Jewel, and Hellbender. She completed the Hardrock Hundred in Colorado in July 2024.

In 2025, Dower broke Camille Herron's course record for Javelina Jundred 100 miler by more than 30 minutes with a time of 13 hours, 31 minutes, and 47 seconds.

Records/wins Long Trail fastest known time (2025) — 3d, 18h, 29m. Appalachian Trail fastest known time (2024) – 40d, 18h, 6m. Umstead 100 Ultramarathon (2024) – 14h, 58m, 21s. Overall 1st place Colorado Trail fastest known time (2023) – 8d 21h 59m. Devil Dog 100 Ultramarathon (2022) – 20h, 08m, 31s. Overall 1st place. Benton MacKaye Trail fastest known time (2022) – 4d 21h 25m 0s. Mountains-to-Sea Trail fastest known time (2020) – 29d, 8h, 48m. Javelina Jundred 100 mile (2025) — 13:31:47.