FKT: Matthew Matta - Cape Henlopen Trails Loop (DE) - 2020-12-26

On December 26, 2020 I attempted an unsupported FKT of the Cape Henlopen Trails Loop. There was no FKT listed on the site and I couldn't find any Strava activities that were faster so I thought I'd put a time up for it. I started at 3:25pm and chose to go in the clockwise direction so I could be out of the park by dark (when it closes from what I could tell). I parked at the Lewes Public Library where there is free designated trail parking and public restrooms.

I didn't have a lot of expectations for this route but it turned out to be more scenic than I was expecting. The first couple miles were in town, on paved trails and a little on sidewalks. Cape Henlopen State Park was beautiful. This park has many well maintained biking and hiking trails through dunes and pine trees. There is also a lengthy well constructed boardwalk through a wetland. You can see the ocean for a portion of it too. I made it out of the park before sunset and followed some residential roads through the quiet community of Rehoboth Beach. After this was more well maintained trails through trees and wetlands, sometimes running behind peoples' backyards. I took my headlamp out around mile 12. Then a few miles of paved bike trail back to the library. I had to resist the urge to cut back to the library on Monroe Ave, instead following the bike trail a few blocks NE, crossing under the highway, and backtracking.

I enjoyed this loop and it was better than what I thought it might be. Even though there are a couple miles next to roads and a few road crossings all the drivers I encountered were very courteous and readily stopped at crosswalks for me. This is clearly an active outdoor community with many miles of beautiful trails. I finished at 5:56pm, consuming about 1/2 a liter of water and 300 calories. I ran by myself with no resupply. This route could easily be run much faster.