The Grind is Real: Zach Frisch Sets New Speed Standard on Mt. Timpanogos

Utah’s trail running scene just got a serious wake-up call. Local athlete Zach Frisch didn't just break the record on Mount Timpanogos; he decimated it. Frisch officially clocked an eye-watering time of 2:14:38 on the grueling Timpanokee Trail, setting a new Mount Timpanogos FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the 11,752-foot Wasatch icon.

This monumental effort shatters the previous record of 2:16:13, a benchmark that stood for seven years. When Frisch took on this challenge, he didn't aim for a minor improvement—he came to reset the standard for speed and endurance on one of the state's most revered peaks.

For most hikers, the round trip on this challenging 14-mile course takes a full day to complete. Frisch’s time represents a level of speed and high-altitude endurance that leaves the hiking masses in awe. Mount Timpanogos is the second-highest peak in the Wasatch Range and is known for its technical, rocky, and exposed sections, demanding total focus from its runners and climbers.

The speed shown by Frisch wasn't a fluke; it was the inevitable result of consistent, brutal work. In the last year alone, this Wasatch trail running powerhouse logged approximately 2,500 miles on foot, climbing an astonishing one million vertical feet. That translates to an estimated 750 hours spent in the mountains, building an unparalleled foundation of high-altitude endurance.

For Frisch, the record wasn't about being "the best," but about the reward of persistence and showing up for the mountains every single day. This philosophy of effort has led to other major accomplishments, including tackling Kings Peak, Utah's highest point, in less than six hours earlier this year.

What truly sets Frisch apart is how he blends his hard-charging performance with a playful spirit and a connection to the mountain community. His passion goes beyond just speed. Recently, he and a crew of friends hauled cooking gear up the peak to surprise fellow hikers with 500 hot pancakes!

This combination of extreme endurance and community focus is deeply on-brand with the mountain lifestyle. With the iconic Mount Timpanogos ascent now claimed, Frisch is already setting his sights on the next massive challenge: the grueling Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Linkup. His journey is a reminder that in the world of trail running, the mountains will always reward the one who simply shows up, laces up, and commits.