Here at RunVermont, we love celebrating the amazing accomplishments of the people within the RunVermont community.

We talked to local endurance athletes Kim Lord (also the Expo Director for RunVermont’s Sports & Fitness Expo and the owner of Front Runner Athletic Medicine, which specializes in the care, prevention, and rehabilitation of injuries) and Ryan McKeever about their recent journey along the 193 miles of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) from St. Johnsbury to Swanton and back to St. Johnsbury.*

After completing the double traverse in 51 hours and 58 minutes, Kim and Ryan are now the first known female and male athletes, of any age, to run the full LVRT double traverse.

Q: What’s the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT)?

A: The LVRT, which was completed through a combination of state and federal funding, is the longest rail trail in New England and connects 18 Vermont towns from St. Johnsbury to Swanton. While we were tackling the trail on foot in the summer, the LVRT is a four-season, multi-purpose recreation and transportation corridor for walking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dogsledding, and snowmobiling. You can find more information about the trail, along with comprehensive maps, on the official website here.

Q: When did you start your run, and was this a continuous effort?

A: We started on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 7:00 am and ran continuously through the weekend to finish on the morning of Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 10:58 am. And yes, definitely a continuous effort. Our strategy was to only take brief naps along the way, and we were able to maintain a pace of 11:15/mile.

Q: The run had a fun nickname. What was it and why?

A: We nicknamed the run “Journey to Oz” because we knew the weekend would require brains, heart, and courage. At 141 miles into the journey, Ryan drew a parallel to Dorothy, who got home with her red shoes by following a trail. He noted that “We go west first, then turn our shoes back east to go home.” Kim added that “you also have your flying monkeys out here,” referring to the unexpected challenges along the way, from relentless heat to hilly detours that took us away from the Yellow Brick Road.

Q: The idea of supporting runners is part of the mission of RunVermont. How were you supported along your journey?

A: We could not have accomplished this run without the support of our crew and pacers. They ensured our navigation, safety, nutrition, and well-being. We were met by our crew at road crossings, and this was how we got food and fresh gear. Our crew and pacers saw firsthand how much grit it took to keep us moving, and they had the “simple” job of doing everything possible to make sure quitting never felt like an option, and they went above and beyond.

Q: Who/what else did you see along the way?

A: We saw a complete menagerie: owls, turkeys, frogs, turtles, raccoons, coyotes howling in the distance, and many friendly weekend trail users. The out-and-back format allowed us to experience each end of the trail in sunlight and darkness, which was extra special.

Q: Was the goal always to go for a speed record?

A: While we think this is the fastest that anyone has ever done the double traverse of the LVRT, this wasn’t really about speed. It was about discovering what’s possible on this incredible trail, which is a gift to Vermont and to the endurance community. We’re proud that we could set a benchmark that celebrates human potential.

Congratulations Kim and Ryan! You’ve set an astounding benchmark, and we celebrate you and this accomplishment.

* Longer than the 186 miles of the LVRT double traverse if there were no detours.