FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A Denver man has logged the fastest Grand Canyon river trip on record, paddling his kayak down the Colorado River in 34 hours and 2 minutes.

Tom Martin, secretary of the Grand Canyon Historical Society, says Ben Orkin reached the end of his 277-mile journey Sunday. Orkin beat a record set last week and the previous one set by nonmotorized boat in 1983.

The unofficial records kept among river rafters started with Maj. John Wesley Powell, who rowed the river in 29 days in 1869.

Most people take their time on the river, getting off the water to hike within the canyon and camp. But river rafting enthusiasts say doing the trip as quickly as possible is becoming a personal challenge for some.

Orkin says he attempted a record last year and returned to try again.