If you can't get the FKT for the single loop, go for the unsupported double loop! Even better, as there was no existing FKT for the unsupported double, as long as I finished then guaranteed success.
I started from Bailiff Bridge (see photo) as this is where my parents live. I don't advise this as it makes the first half of the run much easier than the second half (in my opinion).
Weather wise it was good - dry and not too warm. I did it in early September. Beware, unless you do it in mid-winter, you WILL get brambled and you WILL get nettled. It is not massively overgrown but equally some of these paths are not that well used. Of course you could wear long socks or gaiters.
Route finding is never that easy but it has been made easier than the last time I did it as some kindly soul has sprayed some big yellow arrows at strategic points (see photo). This definitely makes things easier although they sometimes result in you leaving the gpx track. I would say that either path is acceptable as they are generally around the same distance.
The first section from Bailiff to Brighouse is straight forward - when you get to the new housing estate, look for the steps through the new houses and at the bottom of these, look for the faint path that takes you down to the beck. Follow that for 1.5km. This is one of the more overgrown sections. Hitting the road before Wellholme park, turn left on to the road and don't be tempted to turn right too soon. Run a couple of hundred metres up the hill before turning off. It is signposted but it is a bit overgrown.
The next section is a little boring, through fields, across the road and then on to the golf course. You will cross the M62 (see photo). This is a constant companion on this run. If you can't see it then you will hear it most of the way around. This is definitely more of an urban environment than a back country adventure.
After a little while you will come to Hartshead church. This is important for two reasons:
1. Robin Hood is DEFINITELY buried here (Explore Robin Hood's Grave in West Yorkshire, England | PicturesOfEngland.com)
2. There is a tap on the side of the church. This is crucial if you are going to do this loop twice (or more) as it means that you don't have to carry litres of water.
After Hartshead comes the fastest part. 3km of downhill. On the road at first, right through some woodland then over open fields down to the A62. An ugly bit on the A62 but just enjoy the fast running. Right on to the river path and follow that for a couple of km. Some people like running along canal and river banks. I don't.
Over the railway track and through St Augustinians cricket club. I have done this route 6 or 7 times and have always missed the hole in the wall until now. It is either well hidden or I am very unobservant.
Up through the scout camp, across the main road, more up and then you will hit the high point at Ainley Top. Celebrate by crossing the majestic M62 again.
A bit more downhill now culminating in probably my favourite part down through the woods to the railway line (see photo). There's a red/green light but I prefer to look left and right and make sure there are no trains within sight. This area is bedecked in bluebells at certain times of year. September is not one of them.
Across the Brighouse - Elland road and up the steep climb towards Southowram. You will go through a quarry which used to be a nightmare to navigate but is easy enough now with a brand new path.
My second favourite part is the holloway near Hipperholme. No matter what the weather I think that you are guaranteed to get wet feet but it is worth it.
You are on the homeward stretch now but it is quite tough. After Halifax Old Road it is up Break Neck which you may as well walk up. I have tried running but I seem to move slower than walking but expend double the energy. Across the A58 and then more uphill. This is where the arrows take you on to a different path than the gpx track. I have tried both and they are about the same in terms of distance and difficulty. Across Denholme Gate Road and that is almost all the climbing done.
In Priestley Green (Shutts Lane I think) there is a tricky right turn off the road. It is a very narrow entrance but you are aided now by looking out for the yellow arrow on the road. One thing that I should have mentioned is that the stiles / openings on this route are very narrow in some places. I am skinnier than a skeleton but some are tight for me (see photo as an example).
Norwood Green beckons and then more fast running towards Bailiff. On the first loop I made my only big nav error by going right down Rookes Lane and hitting the A58. This is the wrong way. You should go left up Rookes Lane for a little way then right and across the fields where you have to cross the A58 at the nursery.
About 1500m to go now and no matter how tired, you can't avoid sprinting it. Before you know it, it is all over.......unless you are doing a double loop and then you get the joy of starting all over again.