Pioneering Achievement Award Luncheon

Name: Pioneering Achievement Award Luncheon
Start: 2025-07-19T12:00:00-05:00
Location: Benedictine College Cafeteria, 1020 N 2nd St., Atchison, KS

Schedule

Sat, 19 Jul, 2025 at 12:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Benedictine College Cafeteria, 1020 N 2nd St., Atchison, KS | Atchison, KS

The annual Amelia Earhart Festival, set for July 17-19, is honored to announce Tara Dower has been named the Festival’s 2025 Amelia Earhart Pioneering Achievement Award recipient. In late September of 2024 after 40 days 18 hours and 6 minutes, Tara set the overall FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the Appalachian Trail making her the fastest person to ever traverse the full distance of the trail.
“We are excited to welcome Tara to Atchison to share her story of endurance and dedication,” said Jacque Pregont, Amelia Earhart Festival coordinator. “Tara is an amazing example of setting goals and then working diligently to accomplish your dreams.”
Tara has set an amazing record with her tremendous accomplishment. Most hikers who walk the Appalachian Trail spend months finishing the 2197.4 miles. Tara ran an average of 54 miles a day, realizing a total vertical gain of 465,000 feet as it runs through 14 states. Her story will be inspiring to everyone in attendance.
On Saturday, July 19, Tara will share her inspiring story of how she accomplished the record setting feat.
• 10:30 a.m. CST — Tara will participate in the “Step by Step” Speaker’s Symposium at Benedictine College in the O’Malley McAllister Auditorium, 1020 North 2nd St. in Atchison. The Speaker’s Symposium is free to the public.
• Noon CST — Tara will be presented the Pioneering Achievement Award at the Amelia Earhart Festival luncheon in the Benedictine College Cafeteria. Tickets for the luncheon are $25 and are available online or by calling 913-426-3911.