On May 18, 2026, Deanna Doane set a new women's unsupported fastest known time on the Smokies Challenge Adventure Run, running the 70-mile route (112 kilometers) across Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 17:44:34. She improved on Sarah Hansel's previous time of 19:21:47 by 97 minutes.
"For the first time, we can truly see how popular and meaningful the Appalachian Trail and its landscape are to millions of people," says Cinda Waldbuesser, president and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, in an official March 2026 statement.
"Today, another kind of treasure typically lures travelers to Franklin, though, one found among the trails, waterfalls, and scenic byways of the community. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, and a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin is closely tied to the Appalachian Trail, and became the first designated Appalachian Trail Community in 2010, welcoming travelers with open arms."