Fully supported attempt - 4 friends paced me for 13-17 mile sections; water was stashed on course the previous evening and I resupplied myself from a mobile aid station bin passed between my friend's cars. I carried my own supplies and equipment for the entirety of the attempt.
The attempt started at approximately 5am from the DEC Fishing Access Parking Lot on Bardeen Rd. in Fabius, NY. My friend Kali ran with me from the start until where the Onondaga Trail exits Morgan Hill State Forest at its southernmost point. We countered a beaver in Shackham Pond who greeted us with a loud tail slap to the water.
After leaving Kali at her car, I ran alone along a road portion before being joined by my friend Biao beginning at the western edge of Cuyler Hill State Forest. He accompanied me eastward on the Onondaga Trail, then onto the main FLT, until we crossed Dublin Rd. within Mariposa State Forest. I ran a portion of the FLT alone until reaching Crumb Hill Rd., at which point I was joined by my friend Gene. He accompanied me as the FLT joined the Link Trail and then northward until we crossed Damien Rd. inside Tioughnioga WMA. I then ran a portion of the trail alone until being joined by my friend Caroline for the rest of the attempt, crossing DeRuyter State Forest and Highland Forest County Park until returning to the DEC Fishing Access Parking Lot on Bardeen Rd. around 1:30am.
Trail conditions were generally good with relatively dry trails and only moderate leaf cover. As expected, the Link Trail, particularly the southern end, was the least trafficked and difficult to follow, as the markings are faded and the trail has begun to be reclaimed by nature. Due to private landowner restrictions during hunting season, this exact route cannot be attempted after October 1st unless road diversions are incorporated.
The weather was ideal, with morning and overnight lows in the 50s and a daytime high in the low 80s. Humidity was high in the morning due to widespread low-lying fog but dropped throughout the day. Skies were clear in the morning with light cloud cover moving in during the afternoon. It was a generally glorious early fall day, with golden sunlight highlighting the beginnings of fall foliage.