Not only did Amy Sproston, a longtime member of Team Injinji, set the new overall fastest known time for the Jordan Trail, but she is also the only female who has run the course. A course that starts near the Syrian border and runs the length of the country for 660 kilometers (401.1 miles) with over 25,000 meters (15.5 miles) of ascent. A course that is largely unmarked, travels through rolling hills in the north, then passes steep wadis, slot canyons, and a sandy desert along the way to the Red Sea on the Saudi border. A course that took 8 days, 9 hours, and 28 minutes.
Just let that soak in.
Amy has completed well over 70 ultras since 2006. She moved to Jordan a year ago from Oregon to work for Mercy Corp’s Syria Program. With so many ancient ruins and historical sites such as Petra, an ancient capital city that dates back 3,000 years, the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s largest nature reserve, Wadi Rum and the Red Sea, Amy knew she wanted to run such an incredible and historical route. But the main reason she chose this FKT attempt, was that she wanted to show people that women can compete with the men, to have women be seen in the outdoor space, especially in this country, and to encourage women to take on big adventures.
Prior to and during the run, Amy had numerous groups that aided in handling logistics from the Jordan Tourism Board, Treks Outdoor Sports Gear, and her local running group, Running Amman. She had a core crew of four people, including a videographer to document the run, but many friends came out to pace and cheer her along the way. However, instead of running all day and all night, her strategy was to run from 6am - 8pm, which not only allowed her body to rest, but made it easier for her to navigate the route, which was largely unmarked and included many off-trail bushwhacks. Each night she was welcomed by community members who would make big meals for her that included lots of chicken and rice, hummus, tabbouleh, yogurt and other traditional Jordanian cuisine. She had a constant supply of banana smoothies, drank an average of ten Miriandas a day (the Pepsi version of a Fanta soda), lots of shaneenah, (a local salty yogurt drink), and even had a total of eight McDonalds cheeseburgers at various points along the course. Although she got stung by a nasty hornet, which resulted in a very swollen ankle, and had extremely sore feet that felt like pins and needles, Amy completed her feat with no real injuries, hallucinations or medical issues.
Prior to and during the run, Amy had numerous groups that aided in handling logistics from the Jordan Tourism Board, Treks Outdoor Sports Gear, and her local running group, Running Amman. She had a core crew of four people, including a videographer to document the run, but many friends came out to pace and cheer her along the way. However, instead of running all day and all night, her strategy was to run from 6am - 8pm, which not only allowed her body to rest, but made it easier for her to navigate the route, which was largely unmarked and included many off-trail bushwhacks. Each night she was welcomed by community members who would make big meals for her that included lots of chicken and rice, hummus, tabbouleh, yogurt and other traditional Jordanian cuisine. She had a constant supply of banana smoothies, drank an average of ten Miriandas a day (the Pepsi version of a Fanta soda), lots of shaneenah, (a local salty yogurt drink), and even had a total of eight McDonalds cheeseburgers at various points along the course. Although she got stung by a nasty hornet, which resulted in a very swollen ankle, and had extremely sore feet that felt like pins and needles, Amy completed her feat with no real injuries, hallucinations or medical issues.
British men, Robbie Britton and Dan Lawson previously held the fastest known time of the Jordan Trail which was 9 days and 10 hours. Amy now holds the new record by more than 24 hours! After finishing on the shore of the Red Sea, Amy spent three days recovering in luxury at a resort that included spa treatments, massages, and room service.
So what is next for Amy Sproston?
The Tor des Geants will be on Amy’s 2021 race calendar, along with the OMAN by UTMB, and other local regional races. Amy will continue to set big goals, and you can follow along with her outdoor adventures on Instagram @amysproston or Strava.
