# Joe McConaughy | Beating François D'Haene on the JMT + The "Third Man Factor"

An episode of [Singletrack](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1572382413), 28 Sep 2026, 1 h 12 min.

Audio: https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/www.buzzsprout.com/1794638/episodes/19878524-joe-mcconaughy-beating-francois-d-haene-on-the-jmt-the-third-man-factor.mp3

Joe McConaughy returns to Singletrack, fresh off his fastest known time on the John Muir Trail, one of the world's premier FKT routes. The JMT runs 221 miles through California's Sierra Nevada from Happy, with more than 46,000 feet of climbing and nearly all of it above 8,000 feet. It's often called America's most famous trail and is named for the influential environmentalist John Muir. The conversation covers Joe's full experience on the route, where he stands among the sport's multi-day legends, and what he's learned and experienced across three attempts in six years, including his encounter with the third man factor during his 2024 run (fascinating). Sign Up For The Antelope Island Fall Classic Partners: • Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order • Janji - running apparel that goes the distance • Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains • Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made Support the show

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