Started from the Watermead/Buckingham Park crossroads and went clockwise. Got the unknown and muddiest sections out of the way in the first half.
The new housing development near the canal mean I had to take a detour, but used a route parallel to the route to keep the distance the same. This was the same detour as previously used by Richard Bazeley. Shortly after that I lost some time trying to find the footpath in the fields near Broughton.
Was about 4 minutes down on my target time at halfway, but I knew the route for the second half, so could just run, plus there was more on tarmac. I managed to pull back all the time by the end.
I've never seen some of the footpaths so muddy. Should definitely be possible to go much quicker in the Summer when dry and knowing the whole route should help as well.