FKT: Jeff Gleacher - Ais Island (FL) - 2021-05-07

My first attempt to complete Ais Island from end to end failed due to beach replenishment at Patrick Air Force Base. I ran from Sebastian north with support from my wife bringing me food en route. I learned that beach replenishment ends during Sea Turtle Nesting Season (May-October), so I planned my next attempt for the first weekend in May. After the first aborted attempt, I determined I could complete the route without support, as there are many rest stops with water fountains along the route. I had my wife drop me off at Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral and proceeded to the Jetty. I began running May 07 at 0530. I ran the first twenty miles without issue and stopped to refill my water bottles at a park. I did not stop my Garmin intentionally, but somehow it did stop and switched to Treadmill mode without my knowledge. I continued the route, mostly walking, until I arrived at Sebastian Inlet at 1408 where I called my wife for pickup. The total time was over eight and a half hours, so this should be an easy FKT to beat. I carried four water bottles filled with Gatorade slurry and Gu energy packs. I filled the water bottles at a rest stop with water only. I also brought several Cliff Bars. I coordinate a weekly beach run for the Space Coast Runners and am challenging my fellow beach runners to capture this FKT. So far, no one else has attempted it, but I am confident someone else will as I will volunteer to either pace or support. We have ultra-runners in our club who have competed at Western States &c, so when they retire from that level of event, this type of race will be appealing.