FKT: Kathleen Hanley - The Courtney Campbell Trail- Clearwater to Tampa and Back - 2023-12-23

Athletes
Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Female
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
2h 46m 3s
GPS track(s)
Photos
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I parked in the first parking lot the closest to the west side of the bridge. Parking was $15 for the full day. The lots on the beach and a lot of people park there to fish. 

I carried my pack with all my water and fuel. I ran alone.

I started much later than I had planned and it wasn’t too bad until I got halfway and the sun and heat were almost unbearable. Starting before sunrise would have been a better idea, alas I still got it done! It was about 60 when I started and 70 degrees when I finished.

The morning sky was still beautiful and the path is wide enough to not feel worried about cyclists passing. There were a couple minor sections under construction but only a couple feet of the trail were blocked off and there was still space to run on the normal path. Everyone I encountered on the path was very kind!

There’s a city beach about 8 miles into the bridge with a bathroom. I didn’t need it, but it’s there. 

There’s a little bit of shade once you get to the tunnel for the U-path for a brief moment before the turn around right past Fish Creek. The return was much hotter than I remembered and I should have known better! Keep in mind there’s almost no cover and it gets hot!