FKT: Aleksei Grabtchak - Hirvaan kierros, Salamajärven kansallispuisto - 2024-11-09

Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
5h 38m 54s
GPS track(s)
Report

I carried items in the first picture in a 12L running vest with 3 pre filled 0.5L flasks with sports drink. I didn't fill any water on the way or use any facility nor support. Started at 12.29 PM from Sysilampi parking area clockwise. Female FKT:er started counter clockwise at the same time. Day was clear and beautiful, sun was shining from a low angle because of dark autumn season in Finland. The temperature was couple degrees (Celsius) over freezing although the was some icy on the wooden duck boards and lake shores.

I forgot to charge my headlight after using it the night before at a cabin. Because of this I had to us it very economically which slowed me down considerably in the last 15km in the dark. Also I had chosen winter trail running shoes with spikes which were really uncomfortable in the rocky trail sections especially in around 35-45km of my in to the route. They were great on icy duck boards in swampy areas tho. 

Trail was mostly pleasant foresty trail mixed with some lake views, duck boards, rocky trail and some gravel roads. The trail was marked all the way by blue dots in both direction even on the gravel road sections. In the daylight the dots are easy to see but a little harder in dark. I was somewhat familiar with the route from a previous visit. I didnt get lost but had to stop at some crossings to make sure I was heading the right way. I had only the Strava mobile app available to track the FKT. The tracking apparently stopped while entering a more remote/foresty area which. Probably there was no internet connection in the segment after 35km. I was concentrating fully on running on challenging terrain in the dark with limited light so this went unnoticed until ending the FKT. 

There were several public shelters, huts, wells and cold toilets marked on the official trail maps, many of them conveniently visible and right next to the trail.

Note: I started my FKT attempt simultaneously with Ylva von Wright (female FKT attempt), but we ran in opposite directions. As a start and finish point, we chose the wooden gates next to the parking lot at the end of Sysilammentie. I ran the route clockwise. Note also that the route submitted is the route as an loop - you dont go to Koirasalmi parking area and back on the loop (2.3km extra). Just stay on the loop.