As a “Jersey Bean” - circumnavigating the full extent of the island holds a special place in my heart. It's an islanders equivalent of scaling their nearest mountain!
Although the published FKT suggests it could be started from anywhere - I followed the local tradition of the Round Island Walk and Round the Rock Ultra by starting and finishing in St Helier (Steam Clock).
I set off at 6.00am in the traditional anticlockwise direction that the island is traversed in the events above. The weather was mild, peaking at high teens to low 20s with sunny spells.
As an unsupported attempt, I had to give some thought to water sources. I chose to top up at automatic taps (dodging the automatic soap!) at unmanned public toilets and also public beachside showers. Running at a cooler time of year would be easier, since there would be the need for fewer water top ups and diversions into the bottom of bays such as Bouley and Greve de Lecq, which did slow me down.
Running my home island is always such a pleasure! The technical elements of the cliff paths keep your mind focused but then there are ample opportunities to enjoy stunning views of bays, to France and to the neighbouring Channel Islands.
I finished at 2:09pm in a time of 8:09:16
*Variation in this FKT from other traditional island walk/run routes*
The published “Jersey Round” FKT route uses a GPX from what I believe was the original “Round the Rock Ultra” route - from the Steam Clock in St Helier back to the Steam Clock. The ultra actually now finishes just short of the Steam Clock (at La Fregate Cafe) - but in attempting this FKT, I of course respected the full FKT GPX route (Steam Clock to Steam Clock).
On the Round Island Walk and Round the Rock Ultra - participants may choose to take shortcuts at the northern end of St Ouen’s Bay and also to cut across St Brelade’s Bay into the next bay (Quaisne) if the tides are conducive. However, the published GPX for this FKT took no shortcuts at St Ouen nor any shortcuts at St Brelade’s Bay (i.e. it takes the long way over St Brelade’s / Quaisne), so I of course respected this in my attempt. The GPX specifically suggests cutting across Quaisne though to join the footpath on the rocks at the far end of Quaisne - so I did follow this published/suggested route, which is normal in the Round the Rock Ultra too.