Retired Marine Sgt. Kirstie Ennis and Retired Army Sgt. Maj. Kevin Bittenbender on a warm-up hike for their attempt to set a world record for the “Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim” trail at Grand Canyon National Park. The effort fell short Monday, April 21, 2025, as time ran out and darkness made continuing unsafe. (Courtesy of Kevin Bittenbender and Kirstie Ennis)
An attempt this week by two veterans to set a world record for adaptive athletes on the “Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim” hike at the Grand Canyon fell short due to time constraints and safety concerns, the hikers said.
Kevin Bittenbender, a retired Army sergeant major from Pennsylvania, and Kirstie Ennis, a retired Marine Corps sergeant from Colorado, had both lost part of their left leg while serving in Afghanistan.
The duo sought to establish a time record for a one-day hike by adaptive athletes on the grueling 47.5-mile trek from the South Rim to the North Rim and back again. They had set a goal of 20 hours.
After hiking 24.5 miles from the South Rim to the North Rim, it became clear the hikers were not on a pace to complete the route in one day.
Ennis said safety became a paramount factor as the time wound down.
“When the decision was made to call the attempt due to it becoming impossible to meet the 24-hour time limit, the priority was to ensure everyone got out of the canyon on their ‘own two feet,’ “ she said.
Ennis, a top adaptive hiker who has walked 1,000 miles in Great Britain and scaled major peaks such as Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, praised her “battle buddy.”
“Kevin surprised the hell out of me asking me to be his battle buddy and I’m honored I get to be one of his,” she said. “Grateful to call him one of mine too.”
The attempt raised $5,498 for Building Homes for Heroes, a New York nonprofit that constructs or adapts homes for wounded and injured veterans.
Ennis has tried twice to summit Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, and fallen short both times. She plans to try again this year.
She and Bittenbender have left the door open for a second try at the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim trail record, she said.
“Everest has taught me, you can leave a piece of your heart there and always go back for it,” Ennis said.
