FKT: Andrew Ginn - Yockanookany Trail South (MS) - 2021-04-08

Athletes
Route variation
one way
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
2h 1m 31s
GPS track(s)
Report

This is a very interesting trail with a lot of variables that I imagine will effect FKT attempts in the future. There are a couple good smooth miles towards the beginning, deep mud throughout in concentrated places, a few dummy trails that try and suck you in, and it ends with a four mile grassy/thorny section that are slow unless you really push it.  
 

I started just after 10am at West Florida Boundary Trailhead and ran solo the whole way. Few hikers on the trail. I had about 750ml of water, which pushed it, and one Spring gel. Weather was great: completely sunny and cool enough with the shade from the pine trees. There was a bit of rain the night before. The first few miles of the trail were mostly dry, smooth, and runnable. It got muddy starting around mile four and was off an on mud for the rest of the way. Sometimes you could find a way around to the side pretty easy, but others the only option was slogging through the ankle deep mud. Ultra type 2 fun.  

The last 4 miles were largely unmarked with the white trail blaze and I instead followed a mix of pink and orange tree tape. Don't know if this is the long term plan for the trail, but it's trustable for the meantime.  

This can certainly be ran faster, but again, it all depends on the condition of the trail. And I think this is what makes this a brilliant FKT trail. My plan going in was faster that what I turned up, but that's what makes this kind of running so incredible. There's only so much control you have over the trail, and it's illusive at best. Ideally one could find a few dry weeks and then get out and roll on to see how fast it'll go. Depending on the conditions I think 1.5 hours is very doable.