Trail Stories - The Youngest at the Finish Line with Kaylee Frederick
· 19 min · S11 E50
Episode Trail Stories - The Youngest at the Finish Line with Kaylee Frederick
About the Guest Kaylee Frederick is a 21-year-old elite ultra-endurance athlete from Pennsylvania, currently studying biology and secondary education at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (with a minor in chemistry, an ESL certification, and a STEM endorsement) while working four part-time jobs including forklift operator, assistant manager at a frozen custard shop, CrossFit coach, and tutor. At 18 she became the youngest person ever to finish the Badwater 135. She recently won the Eastern States 100 outright — first woman ever, first to break 24 hours, finishing 90+ minutes ahead of second place. She finished 12th female in the world at the 24-Hour World Championship in France. She trains with coach Eric Kosik. She ran a five-mile warmup before this interview at 4 AM New Zealand time. Her mom hiked the Appalachian Trail in 99 days. Her trail name is Thunder Butt. Episode Highlights Thunder Butt
Badwater at 18 — On Cloud Nine
Eastern States 100 — First Overall, First Under 24 Hours
The Pain Cave — Mile 93, Age 16
24-Hour World Championship — Walking on Purpose
Running for Her Dad — and Then Not
The Youngest at the Finish Line
Links & Resources
• Kaylee Frederick — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederick.kaylee • The Line — Billy Yang documentary on Badwater 135: https://www.youtube.com/@billyyang • Eastern States Trail Endurance Alliance/Association: https://www.easternstates100.com • Mount Coast T1 trail shoes — Kaylee's race shoe of choice. Recently also testing the lighter, more responsive M1. • Eric Kosik — Kaylee's coach since January 2024.
Connect with Hiker Trash Radio
• Email: mailto:hikertashradio@gmail.com • Social: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok — search Hiker Trash Radio.
The full interview with Kaylee drops Wednesday in two parts. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it takes 60 seconds and makes a real difference.
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