I completed this route on Friday, October 6th, 2023. I started on Langdon street at the Evan's Scholars building and ran back to that building. The pictures submitted above are the time when I exactly reached my starting place at the Evan's Scholars building. I ended up continuing my run and completing 26.30 miles after this attempt. Forgive me as this is my first FKT attempt and I don't know the exact guidelines. My route was 25.00 miles. There was a bridge out at the intersection of Edgehill drive and Lake mendota drive that required me to find a trail through the woods that set me on a slight detour. Also, around Middleton my route might not have been the exact path posted on this route.
Route rundown:
Miles 1-6 were familiar territory for me as I often run out and around Maple Bluff from the UW-Madison campus. Great views of houses and fall foliage here. Miles 7-11 were the first stretch of unfamiliar territory and included running through the Mendota Mental Health Institute and multiple neighborhoods. This is where I started hitting my stride. The next 6 or so miles were along a busy roadway with limited shoulder and were my least favorite part of my attempt. Hillier than I thought out this direction. As I got into Middleton, I was feeling good but might have strayed from the trail a tiny bit. As I started heading out of Middleton, I returned to familiar territory along Lake Mendota Drive. I loved the stretch along the lakeshore path as I have run this often over the past couple years. Forgive me if this is not allowed but after completing my loop I finished the marathon back in James Madison Park as I have never done a marathon before.
Although my route might have had some minor changes it was longer and done faster than the previous FKT holder. Excited to attempt more routes as I am just getting started in my distance running journey.