LITTLE COMPTON — On or about June 20, the plan was for Little Compton ultramarathon runner Jeremy Howard to get himself to the village of North Troy, Vt., on the Canadian border.

There, at the northern terminus of the Long Trail, he’d point himself south down the spine of Vermont’s Green Mountains. He wouldn’t pause long to admire the view — time is of the essence.

His goal — not just to hike the 273 miles to the Massachusetts line at Williamstown, the trail’s southern end, it’s to do it fast.

Mr. Howard’s intent is to set the Long Trail speed record (Men’s Unsupported) which won’t happen unless he can cover the route within six days.

‘Fastest Known Times’ (FKT) are a big thing around the world (there’s a website that tracks them (www.fastestknowntime), and Mr. Howard hopes to navigate the Long Trail in less time than it took Jeff Garmire on July 24, 2019 — 5 days, 23 hours and 48 minutes. 

The idea has been to begin the quest June 20, but if weather suggests starting just before or after that, he’s flexible.

It’s not so much the distance that’s daunting, he said, it’s that the Long Trail is a grueling up and down slog from peak to peak, famous for tricky footing and punctuated by occasional spectacular views.

One guidebook says, “Known as the ‘footpath in the wilderness,’ it is easy in few sections and rugged in most. Steep inclines and plenty of mud present hikers” with lots of challenges.

And there are roots, rocks and hikers to dodge, “and it’s almost always wet.” Trails in the western US get much of the notoriety, he said, because the mountains are bigger, but people with experience with both say the Long Trail’s array of challenges set it apart.

”I’m intrigued by its reputation as one of the hardest routes (it’s listed as one of the ‘ten premier routes’),” he said.

A veteran of numerous marathons including five Boston Marathons, and ultramarathons among them a couple of hundred milers, Mr. Howard has been training lately near his Austen Lane home in Little Compton where he lives with his wife Cloud and their three children.

“Little Compton roads aren’t at all like the Long Trail,” he said — “pretty flat.” But he’s hoping that his ultramarathon work, mostly on off-road trails, has set him up well for this adventure.

Except for the few flats where “you can break into a jog,” running up and down hills with pack and gear isn’t feasible, he said — “The idea is to keep up as quick and steady a pace as you can — and to avoid spraining an ankle … I’m feeling great right now.”

As an ‘Unsupported’ competitor, he must be entirely self-sufficient and carry all of his own supplies. He has a water filter and will eat dehydrated meals doused in cold water (no cooking, a stove is too heavy and cooking takes time). He will go off-trail for naps when needed — about four hours of sleep a day. A GPS device will track his progress.

FKT competitors take that term “Unsupported” seriously. A friend of Mr. Howard’s was on a possible record breaking pace once when he encountered hikers, one of whom “held out some water. He chugged it and only later realized what he had just done.” His record attempt was finished.

A bigger challenge

Completing this hike or breaking a record would be great, but what really drives him are thoughts of people like Tiverton’s Clancy Lyons and the many other young people who have had to endure a childhood of surgeries and obstacles.

Mr. Howard will take on the Long Trail in the name of The Play Brigade, an organization that builds inclusive playgrounds and accessible recreational spaces across the country. The money he raises will fund efforts to increase access to the outdoors for families, such as carousels, beach wheelchairs, plus continued advocacy for accessible programs and spaces.

 “I have a brother with Down Syndrome and a family friend with a limb difference. I understand how important it is for them, and countless others, to feel a part of their community,” he said. “Completing my journey will be much more satisfying knowing I’ve done it while supporting The Play Brigade’s mission to help empower, influence and inspire people with disabilities.”

He said he has become close to Clancy over the years, as the child — now a 19-year-old — has undergone surgeries including one just last year that required breaking his arm.

“These kids grow up getting poked, prodded” and it must seem never-ending. “Clancy never complains about anything … It’s crazy what these kids go through and how strong they are.”

“We forget how lucky we are to be able to go out and do stuff like hike the Long Trail.” Put against what these young people are up against, complaining about hard hikes seems “somewhat self-centered.”

Mr. Howard said he is excited about the possibility that Clancy might be able to meet him at the end of the Long Trail, record or no record.

Brookline, Mass., mother Dawn Oates founded The Play Brigade in 2014 after her daughter Harper suffered a spinal cord injury at birth that left her paralyzed. “Watching Harper grow and play, my family quickly realized the main barrier people with various disabilities face is not the disability itself, but rather the design of our communities. So, we set out to change that,” she said.

Mr. Howard and The Play Brigade are seeking “Trail Ambassadors” who will help increase awareness about what individuals and their families go through to gain accessibility to things most able-bodied people take for granted.  If you know of someone who can speak to the importance of access you can nominate them here: To become or nominate an ambassador visit https://playbrigade.wufoo.com/forms/s1px23nu09p6qwi/.

You can also sponsor a Trail Ambassador for a donation of $273 – $1 for each mile Howard will complete and help to contribute to the Play Brigade’s mission.  Individuals are also invited to complete a virtual race of any distance.  Search Play Brigade Ambassador Challenge to find out how to help.

Business

Mr. Howard’s work is closely tied to his ultramarathon pursuits.

The Rhode Island School of Design grad is the co-owner of Velotec Sports, an international contract manufacturer and vendor specializing in protective gear including bicycle and ski helmets under a variety of brands. He is also the designer of much of that equipment.