This is an abbreviated race report for this submission. I need a bit more time to write up my full blog about the event and upload videos. They will be posted on the channels below:
https://littleduker.ca/rideau-trail-fkt/
https://www.youtube.com/@LeducRunning
I started at 6:00 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Rideau Canal locks in Ottawa and travelled north to south, finishing in Kingston in front of City Hall.
I completed the route unsupported. I carried all of my food from the start and did not receive outside assistance. Water was obtained from public water sources along the route or filtered from streams and other natural sources.
The attempt was recorded continuously on my COROS Pace 2 watch. I also carried a Garmin inReach SE, which recorded my progress independently and served as a backup tracker and safety device.
This FKT has been on my radar for five years. Previous plans were delayed by a stress fracture, hip injury and, most recently, a leg laceration. I didn't have firm plans to attempt it this year, but after a solid finish at the Last Annual Vol State, I decided to leverage the fitness and mental strength I had developed there and give it a go just five weeks after running 314 miles across Tennessee. Training was therefore a mixture of recovery, getting my trail legs back and sorting out the logistics for an unsupported attempt.
The plan was simple: run when I could, hike when I needed to and rest wherever I could safely do so.
There were a few minor detours along the route due to construction, storm damage and flooding. These were reported on the Rideau Trail website and followed the trail closely.
The weather cooperated for the most part, although I encountered a few periods of heavy rain. Several sections were flooded but still navigable, particularly in Marlborough Forest, an area known for wet conditions. Some of the ATV trails leaving Merrickville were also flooded following the rain.
Overall, the trail was well marked. Navigation became more challenging at night, when I had to pay close attention to the next trail marker. When I lost sight of a marker or the trail wasn't obvious, I relied on the route maps on my phone and watch to get back on course.
I slept approximately one hour in total during the attempt. This was not planned. I tried to sleep during several rest breaks, but each time I stopped I developed a deep chill despite putting on additional clothing.
The lack of sleep caught up with me during the final stretch after leaving Gould Lake. What should have been a relatively straightforward final section became approximately 12 hours of significant sleep deprivation and confusion. I became disoriented and, at times, was unsure of my location. I travelled in the wrong direction on the K&P Trail several times between Harrowsmith and the bridge before recognizing the errors and correcting them.
I also made a navigation error in Smiths Falls when I missed a route change. I corrected the mistake and returned to the route. Neither this nor the K&P navigation errors shortened the required route.
At the finish, my watch recorded approximately 354 km. I can account for roughly 5 km of additional distance from the missed route change in Smiths Falls and travelling in the wrong direction on the K&P Trail. I am also aware of other people who have recorded a significant discrepancy between GPS distance and the published distance when completing the entire Rideau Trail.
A few important thank-yous:
To my coach, Derrick Spafford, who planted the idea of attempting the full Rideau Trail in my head many years ago while I was attempting the K&P Trail FKT. It took five years and a few false starts to finally get here.
And to my strength coach, Jamie Wright, who kept reminding me just how tough I am, particularly when I needed to hear it.
To my husband, who trusted me to take on another big challenge, especially one that involved several days alone on the trail.