Ultimate Direction, a hydration and wearable gear company, launched its 2017 grant program to aspiring athletes who are planning a Fastest Known Time attempt in 2017.

“We are fresh off the heels of our first-ever FKTOY (Fastest Known Time of the Year) Award, and the level of innovation, talent and ingenuity was staggering,” stated Buzz Burrell, brand vice president of Ultimate Direction. “This grant program was galvanized by the bold and creative FKT endeavors we explored in FKTOY 2016. We’re proud to partner with La Sportiva NA and Gu Energy Labs to supply resources that will enable more visionary athletic adventures.”

The Ultimate Direction Grant Project celebrates core qualities such as personal vision, creativity and determination. Each FKT Grant awardee will receive $1,000 in addition to a set of gear awards.

The FKT Grant will award a total of four proposals, with one designation to one female and one male, while two awards will be open category. Applicants must complete a basic proposal that compiles partner information (if any), location and description of the proposed route, proposed date, reason/personal interest for doing the route, and how they will verify and document the route.

Additionally, the grant proposal must include the following criteria:

  • Running or hiking must be at least 50 percent of the time spent – can entail some other sports, but no motorized sports
  • FKT project may be undertaken anywhere in the world, and in 2017
  • Must be undertaken by people who are based in North America
  • Applicant must document their FKT attempt from either GPS and/or third-party tracking

There are no fixed parameters to achieve (such as length, difficulty,or remoteness) because the fundamental ethos of FKTs are personal creativity, vision, skill and commitment.

However, it should be noted that applicants consider certain subjective guidelines that include:

  • How much will their FKT  raise the bar? Will it set a new standard as opposed to a quicker time?
  • How competitive is the route?
  • How much research, planning, and organization will it require?
  • Is this route creative or clever, seeing something others had not?
  • Will it establish a better style, or a new way of looking at it?
  • Is it dangerous or risky, or fully committing, or requiring experience or technical skills?
  • Will it avoid any negative impacts, such as environmental?

Applicants will be judged by an impartial grant panel who will consider the proposal’s methodology and documentation for verifying the route and the effort.  Use of GPS, photos and video are strongly encouraged.  The application is open March 27 through April 9, and the grant awards will be announced on April 24.

The concept of FKT was created by running adventurists Peter Bakwin and Buzz Burrell.

For more information and to apply, visit ultimatedirection.com/fkt-grant-application/.

Photo courtesy Ultimate Direction