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Ain’t no mountain high enough — at least not for this superwoman.Ultra-runner and New Zealand native Sophie Grant has set out to break the record for the fastest known time ever through the treacherous Alpine pass of Via Alpina.She’s set to achieve her goal in 30 days.“Being able to look up and actually be inside these landscapes — it’s unbelievable, a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Grant exclusively told The Post.The 42-year-old runner’s mentally and physically demanding route covers Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and France before ending on the Mediterranean coast in Monaco.
“Every so often I lift my head, see how beautiful the place is and just think how lucky I am.”The course spans 2,000 kilometers (roughly 1,250 miles), along with 120,000 meters (393,700 feet) of ascent.The current record for the speediest Alps crossing was set by runner Jack Catterall in August of 2024, ringing in at 35 days, 21 hours.A year later, Tessa Caspers set the fastest women’s time for the route at 38 days and 2 hours.Grant, who runs under her maiden name, is set to blow both records out of the water — or rather, off the Swiss cliffs.She began the route on July 4 in Trieste, Italy.
Now she’s about 310 miles from setting the record, which would make her the fastest person of any gender to complete the demanding course.A typical day on Grant’s trek involves running 14 to 18 hours, which nets her roughly 40 to 50 miles a day.That includes as much as 16,000 feet of climbing the legendary mountain pass, which includes limestone, dolomite and even crystal formations.“I don’t really think about it,” said Grant of the steep task in front of her.
“I just move as fast as the terrain will let me.”How is she fueling her Alpine adventure? Not with Ricola.After sleeping three to five hours in either the camper van, a mountain hut, hotel room or tent, Grant starts each morning with protein-packed muesli and coffee.Throughout the day...