FKT: Ian Briscoe - Portsea Island Loop (United Kingdom) - 2021-03-17

Athletes
Route variation
Loop
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
2h 32m 33s
GPS track(s)
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Portsea Island Loop FKT

I started the loop from the South of the island - near to the Southea Rose Gardens - and ran clockwise. It was a perfect day running-wise with a temperature at the start of roughly 7C and a light headwind when running due west along the seafront.

As the previous runners who have submitted a FKT on this route have noted, there are three areas that are currently closed off - two for coastal defence construction work and one due to the pandemic.

The first of these (going clockwise from the seafront) diverts you away from Clarence Pier and inland for a short period of time, before you rejoin the Millenium Walk not far from the Square Tower

https://i.imgur.com/B1aNWnF.jpg

The second of these blocks you from following the Millenium Walk near the Wightlink ferry terminal towards Gunwharf and the Spinnaker Tower, so you have to follow Gunwharf Road and St George's Road round to The Hard Interchange.

https://i.imgur.com/BGMsHVD.jpg

The final diversion is along the East of the island because of the North Portsea Island coastal defence works, meaning that access to the full length of the coastal path is inaccessible in places.

The beach around Tipner Range is extremely slippery and rocky, so care should be taken here. Do not venture out too into the mud. The black mud is much deeper than it looks and if you're unlucky you may lose footwear...

The beach behind the Thatched House in Milton can also get very muddy and is not passable at high tide.

I ran this solo and this was an unsupported run,as I ran with all of the food and drink that I needed.