I’ve always loved backpacking in the Pyrenees and have enjoyed wandering the valleys and ridges at my leisure. Not as dramatic as the Alps or Dolomites, by and large, they are much wilder. What I can’t imagine is completing the PYRENEES HIGH LEVEL ROUTE – Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne (HRP) – in just a few days – or at all!
RAB athlete NOOR VAN DER VEEN has set a new overall fastest known time (FKT) on the trail, completing the brutal 731km traverse with 45,000m of vertical gain in just 10 days, 11 hours and 38 minutes. A video documenting the project is available HERE.
The accomplished Dutch climber-turned-ultra runner, together with her support crew, tackled one of Europe’s most technical long-distance trails, which typically takes hikers around six weeks to complete.
She was the first to tackle the route with the help of a support team, allowing her to set the overall fastest known time. No female or supported record previously existed.
The self-supported male record for the same route (set by French runner Antoine Galonnier) stands, astonishingly, at 11 days, 21 hours and 48 minutes.
Starting at the Atlantic Ocean in Hendaye on 13 July and finishing at the Mediterranean at Banyuls-sur-Mer on 23 July, she navigated challenging terrain including sketchy trails, scree fields and technical Alpine passages, staying largely above 2,000 metres.
“I’ve been dreaming about running on that beach for as long as I was planning the project,” said Noor. “But on the way, it became clear to me that the true goal was to have a good time with friends in the mountains.”
The record attempt wasn’t without drama. On day six, Noor was struck by a severe stomach bug after drinking unfiltered mountain water. Her crew provided fluids and medicine, allowing her to finish the last 10km of the day with two pacers. Despite the setback, she recovered and pushed through to complete the final 152km section in one continuous effort.
Noor’s handpicked support crew included her partner and close friends who managed everything from nutrition to navigation across the six-month planning phase and gruelling 10-day execution.
Running a punishing schedule of 4:00 a.m. starts and 10-11 p.m. finishes, the team operated with absolute precision to keep her moving through the Pyrenees’ most challenging terrain.
“So far ultrarunning for me had been something individual, but I was really curious to find out how far I could push my body with a strong support crew,” said Noor.
“I can honestly say that this wouldn’t have been possible without them. It’s also their FKT, something we all did together from beginning to end. I was just one member of that team.”
Traynor On The Trail 