On May 23rd, 2021, I ran the Mckenzie River Trail from North to South (downhill) in a time of 2:57:26. I went solo and unsupported. Just looking at the numbers on this trail, i.e. it is overall downhill with very little climbing, it seems like this time should be a breeze but in my opinion the trail is way harder to go fast on than it looks like on paper! It has a million little twists and turns along with very variable footing that never seems to really allow you to get a flow going. A beautiful and fun trail though for sure!
I took 500ml of water, with Fluid Nutrition mixed in, and a pack of Honey Stinger blocks. Weather was pretty ideal. Quite a few people on the trail by the blue pool and the falls but I don't think it really added to much time to this, maybe a few seconds here and there.
Jason Hardrath, Emily, and Erica were doing the out-and-back variation of the trail on the same day so I ran by them on my way down and their way up and we exchanged a quick, "yeeehaww!" in passing.
All in all, a great day.