Overview
- President Donald J. Trump granted a pardon on November 10, 2025 to trail runner Michelino Sunseri, ending his case stemming from a 2024 Grand Teton speed attempt.
- A federal magistrate found Sunseri guilty on September 2, 2025 of violating 36 CFR § 2.1(b) after he briefly left a maintained switchback during his descent.
- Prosecutors later proposed dismissing the case if Sunseri completed 60 hours of community service and a wilderness stewardship course, an arrangement the pardon renders moot.
- Sunseri’s 2024 round-trip time was 2:50:50 over roughly 13.3 miles and 7,000 feet of gain, though Fastest Known Time declined to recognize the mark after the shortcut.
- Filmmakers who challenged denied park film permits say a documentary on the saga is now in post-production for a planned 2026 release, as the case continues to shape debates over overcriminalization in national parks.