'Nightmare is over': Trump pardons Grand Teton trail runner who took a shortcut [View all]

Source: SFGATE

NATIONAL PARKS
'Nightmare is over': Trump pardons Grand Teton trail runner who took a shortcut

By Kylie Mohr,
Big Sky Country Contributing Parks Editor
Nov 10, 2025


Michelino Sunseri after setting a speed running record of the Grand Teton in September 2024, as depicted in a screenshot of Racing Grand Teton Act 1 Trailer.
Screenshot via YouTube

A high-altitude trail running record attempt gone wrong in Grand Teton National Park, and the year-long criminal trial it set off, has reached the office of the President of the United States.

President Trump pardoned Michelino Sunseri, a North Face athlete prosecuted by the National Park Service for taking an illegal shortcut during a record-breaking run, on Friday. Pacific Legal Foundation, a law firm representing Sunseri, announced the news today

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On Sept. 2, 2024, Sunseri raced 13.2 miles up and down the tallest mountain in Grand Teton National Park. He broke previous speed records and created his own: 2 hours, 50 minutes and 50 seconds.

But in doing so, Sunseri chose to cut a trail switchback, going off the main trail and onto one the Park Service said is closed to the public. A month after his record-setting run, park rangers cited Sunseri with violating federal regulations meant to protect natural resources in national parks.

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Read more: https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/trump-pardons-grand-teton-national-park-runner-21156652.php

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With a 'surreal' stroke of his pen, Trump pardons Grand Teton speed runner Michelino Sunseri

https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/news/environmental/local/with-a-surreal-stroke-of-his-pen-trump-pardons-grand-teton-speed-runner-michelino-sunseri/article_2048aab6-e822-45c1-9f36-ab4c2db002f8.html

Managing editor 1 hr ago


Trail runner Michelino Sunseri visits with his legal team during a recess of his federal trial in May. President Trump pardoned him Friday.
BRADLY J. BONER/JACKSON HOLE DAILY FILE

In a stunning end to a legal case centered around mountain running, trail ethics and speed records, President Trump pardoned Michelino Sunseri on Friday afternoon, according to Sunseri's attorneys.

In September, a federal judge found Sunseri guilty of cutting a switchback while attempting to set a speed record on the Grand Teton in 2024. Just over two months later, and before Sunseri's sentencing, the most powerful man in America cleaned Sunseri's record.

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Judge balks at deal proposed for runner, convicted switchback cutter Michelino Sunseri

By Billy Arnold / Managing editor Oct 21, 2025 Updated Oct 21, 2025

After a last-minute intervention from a newly appointed U.S. Attorney for Wyoming, mountain runner Michelino Sunseri was not sentenced in federal court Tuesday morning.

Instead, U.S. Attorney Darin Smith, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in August, and Sunseri's defense team reached an agreement. Sunseri's guilty conviction would be expunged from his record if he completes 60 hours of community service as well as an educational course, and complies with a year of probation -- a better deal, even, than one proposed earlier by Sunseri's defense attorneys.

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Cheyenne state senator with Trump's backing appointed U.S. attorney for Wyoming

https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/news/state/local/cheyenne-state-senator-with-trumps-backing-appointed-u-s-attorney-for-wyoming/article_70b8dc0f-0197-4e45-91a4-d88f3ceb7441.html

By Jasmine Hall / State Government Reporter Aug 19, 2025 Updated Aug 19, 2025
Former Sen. Darin Smith


Then-Sen. Darin Smith, R-Cheyenne, speaks during the morning session of the 68th Wyoming Legislature in the Senate Chambers earlier this year.
MICHAEL SMITH

After serving as a state senator in Cheyenne for less than a year, Darin Smith resigned and took an oath of office last week to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming.

President Trump nominated Smith to serve a full four-year term on July 30, but the Senate, which is required to confirm presidential nominees, hasn’t taken action yet. Without Senate confirmation, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Smith to serve as interim U.S. Attorney. He was sworn in on Aug. 11 by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kelly Rankin.

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