Summary of Nine Months and a Day

Nine Months and a Day, written by Kelly McWilliams, tells the story of 20-year-old ultrarunner Sarah Burke who must confront the limits of her physical endurance and mental strength when she takes on the Appalachian Trail’s 2,100-mile journey. Sarah faces both internal and external struggles as she battles the elements, exhaustion, hunger, loneliness, lack of support, and financial worries. As she attempts to complete the journey and arrive at the trail’s end within the nine-month time limit, Sarah must draw on her inner strength and support from those around her in order to reach her goal. Along the way, she discovers her own resiliency and how far she is willing to push herself.