KILLINGTON, Vt. -
Step by step, Nikki Kimball is out to set a new ultra running record.
"She did great on this leg," said April Hayden, Kimball's friend.
Hayden paced Kimball for a 20-mile stretch from Brandon to Mendon Thursday morning. That's miles 150 to 170 of a 273-mile journey that started four days ago.
"Initially she did seem to be sleeping and running, but we got a few goos into her and I think that helped a lot," Hayden said.
Kimball is hoping to finish the entire Long Trail Friday afternoon in Williamstown, Mass., ahead of the men's record of four and a half days. The current women's record is seven days.
Racing against the clock, Kimball paused just for a quick pit stop in Mendon Thursday.
"Right now I feel really good, but that can change in a second. But hopefully it won't," she said.
Her pit crew is full of friends and family there to help.
"It's awesome. Some of my best friends from out west and out here. So perfect," Kimball said.
This isn't Kimball's first crazy run, she's a decorated ultra runner. Nine first place finishes in runs from 30-100 miles.
But for veteran pit crew member and Kimball's dad, Bill, it's not about the numbers.
"I just hope that she is happy with what she does and I'm not trying to keep track of exactly where she is and all that," Bill Kimball said.
He's just glad to have her home.
"She grew up here. She's run these trails. She's been on these trails quite a bit. She's camped on them and all that sort of thing, so that didn't surprise me at all," he said.
Nikki Kimball said rain Tuesday slowed her down. So, in an effort to break the men's record, she's going to run through the night.
