Tara Dower

About

Tara Dower, nicknamed "Candy Mama," is an American ultrarunner from Virginia Beach who in September 2024 set the overall supported Fastest Known Time on the 2,197-mile Appalachian Trail — completing it in 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes, shattering the previous record by 13 hours and becoming the fastest person ever, male or female, to traverse the trail under the supported format. A former thru-hiker who suffered a panic attack and quit her first AT attempt in 2017, her FKT stands as one of the sport's great comeback stories. She has also won the Javelina Jundred 100 Mile (2025, breaking Camille Herron's course record by 30 minutes), the Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile (2023), and placed second at the Black Canyon 100k (2025). Coached by David and Megan Roche and sponsored by Altra.

Notable Wins

• — Appalachian Trail FKT 2024
• — Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile 2023
• — Javelina Jundred 2025

Upcoming Races

Race History