I arrived to the start line ready to embark on the Lake Frederick FKT attempt at 9:00am. Geared up, took a few photos at the starting pole. Note the starting pole is on the right hand side of the parking lot, next to the Lake, it's very easy to find. A few minutes after 9:00, I was off to set the FKT around the 7 mile long trail circumference of Lake Frederick.
Please note that the real distance of this run is just over 7 miles not the 8.3 miles as submitted by me originally. I used a GPX file from All Trails to submit this route for FKT approval which shows a substantially and incorrect distance of 8.3 miles for some reason. The course is pretty easy to follow the blue blazes, but it's also easy to get off course, sligthly, but you're running around a lake, so it would take some clever talent to get lost :) But you can end up in some neighborhoods if you're not paying attention. Just follow the blue blazes, the route is well marked in blue. The mile marker postings are completely inaccurate and can ignored, the route is 7 miles.
The trails were a tad hillier and more technical than I remembered with some awkward sloping paths. The trail was also covered in leaves and some mud in a few areas, especially the lower level areas where you cross over the lake perimeter. There are lots of roots and rocks along the course, so keep your eyes on the trail at all times. I almost fell on my face about 5 times, but never went down. Had to make one short stop to empty rocks out of my shoe which cost me about 3 minutes, but that was ok.
I think miles 2-4 are probably the most challenging with the more rocky terrain and rolling hills, then after you get through that part, it's pretty flat the over the 2nd half of the run. The legs felt good and effort was easy as I made my way around before reaching the open field, where you can enjoy a short sprint back to the start pole to set the easily breakable FKT in 2:11:23.
Please note if you are to attempt this FKT, you will need to get an access pass for the day through the website. There are a lot of options and it's a little confusing to find the right pass, but the one you need cost $4.00, I believe it's called "Access Permit - Daily". More info here: https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/lake-frederick/
I had fun setting this FKT and hope you have a fun time breaking it. It's a pretty run.