On April 18, 2025 I ran the 90 mile section of the Long Path that passes through Catskill park in a time of 32:24:53. I believe this is the first continuous effort from "blue line to blue line," i.e. from the northernmost to the southernmost boundaries of Catskill park. I was fully supported by a team of pacers and crew during this run.
This was my third attempt to complete the route, having failed at 79 miles in 2020 and again at 43 miles in 2023. My goal each time was to improve on Tom DeHaan's self supported record while also adding on portions of the Long Path that I believe should be included in the FKT route. Tom's route started on Rt. 23 and ended at Peekamoose Rd, whereas the boundaries of Catskill Park are slightly farther apart: Old Rd on the north end and Upper Cherrytown Rd on the south end.
In the end, I covered this original route in 28:18 before death marching the additional ~10 miles to the southern boundary.
I chose April for this attempt because of the promise of mild temperatures, fewer bugs, and less plant growth on the trails. The Catskills are notoriously humid and filled with stinging nettles during the summer months. This strategy was met with mixed results, as a late season snowstorm dumped 12 inches of powder on the high peaks a week before my attempt, so the highest parts of the route required the use of microspikes. I also had an impressive slip and fall at the summit of Slide Mountain, for which my left knee paid a gruesome price.
In order of appearance, I was supported by Kim Levinsky, Sarah "Kool Aid" Zieden-Weber, my wife Alex Thorpe and my daughter Emily, Jessica Simao, Melinda Coen, and Jay Lemos. This team went through heroic efforts to keep me safe, fed, and motivated through one of the most difficult runs of my life. I can't thank them enough!
One more important note on my route: the two mile ascent of Windham High Peak from Elm Ridge lean-to on the Escarpment Trail is currently closed due to a tragic plane crash that occurred in November 2024. I received written permission from the NY DEC to bushwhack parallel to the trail as an alternative. My reroute was equal in length and added some additional time due to the navigation and poor footing.
I'll write a full report and post it to ryruns.blogspot.com once my brain is back online.
Editor: The variation defined from TH to TH was done in 1:04:28.