Vermont Trail Legend Tara Dower Shatters Course Record at Arizona's Javelina Jundred
Tara Dower's Long Trail FKT (fastest known time) stands as one of the most impressive accomplishments in Vermont trail running history.
Long Trail Record Holder Dominates 100-Mile Desert Race
Tara Dower, the ultrarunner who broke the overall speed record on Vermont’s iconic Long Trail just two months ago, has added another remarkable achievement to her resume with a dominant victory at the 2025 Javelina Jundred 100-miler.
According to Canadian Running Magazine, Dower stormed through Arizona’s McDowell Mountain Regional Park on October 25, finishing in 13:31:47 and crushing the previous women’s course record by more than 30 minutes.
From the Green Mountains to the Arizona Desert
The Virginia-based ultrarunner’s victory comes on the heels of her stunning performance on the Long Trail in August 2024. According to the report, Dower completed Vermont’s 272-mile trail in just 3 days, 18 hours and 29 minutes—a blazing supported time that bested the previous men’s record by more than two hours.
Her Long Trail FKT (fastest known time) stands as one of the most impressive accomplishments in Vermont trail running history, showcasing her ability to maintain a relentless pace across the challenging terrain of the Green Mountains.
Overcoming Doubts to Dominate the Desert
The Javelina Jundred victory was far from certain. According to Canadian Running Magazine, Dower recently withdrew from the Mammoth 200 “due to not being fully recovered from her Long Trail FKT in August.”
In an Instagram post following her Javelina victory, Dower revealed her uncertainty heading into the race: “Honestly didn’t know if my body could handle it after a lingering recovery period but I was willing to try,” according to the report. She maintained a 5:02 per kilometer pace throughout the five-loop desert course, finishing seventh overall and earning a coveted golden ticket—automatic entry to the prestigious 2026 Western States Endurance Run.
According to the article, Dower’s pacer Chris told her with 10 miles remaining that she had “a shot at a massive course record” if she maintained her pace. “At that point it was time to bring it home,” Dower shared.
Building on an Elite Resume
Dower’s achievements extend well beyond Vermont’s borders. According to Canadian Running Magazine, she broke the overall supported fastest-known time on the Appalachian Trail in 2024 before tackling the Long Trail. Her record of 13:31:47 at Javelina erased more than 30 minutes from Camille Herron’s 2021 course record.
The Vermont trail running community can take pride in knowing that one of the sport’s most accomplished long-distance runners chose the Long Trail as a proving ground—and proceeded to set a standard that showcases both the challenge of Vermont’s terrain and the extraordinary capabilities of an elite ultrarunner at the peak of her powers.