I posted as I went on Instagram at TommyBoyCO, both times that I ran it, in 2022 and 2025. Feel free to message me if you want to beat the current female supported time, which is totally possible. I have good notes from both trips too. Hey, if you buy my flight from Denver, I'll crew you for cooler foods!
I started Thursday just past 1pm (13:10) at the end of the .gpx file from FKT.com. I ran about 24 miles and ran past Casita Verde where I stayed the first night on the floor. After breakfast Friday, I met Cupertino, a young guide from nearby and we hiked through segment 3-4 to Tres Equis and go there around lunch. I kept going to that river bridge before Rio Pejibaye, and slept on the floor of that Cabinas Don Chico, I think was the name.
Saturday, I was slow going but left early and got to that big yellow bridge before Orosi and posted on my IG about it. I can't figure out how to link my photos, but I have a reel or two about Costa Rica Camino and my stories. I only hiked until 3pm, then got Ceviche and found the Rio Macho Lodge, so I did the big loop around to the top then came back down the road to the hotel. I was a little pissed bc the guidebook showed it at the top of that two mile loop but oh well, bonus miles up tomorrow morning.
Sunday, I woke up totally refreshed and felt fantastic from a nice rest and finally a hot shower. It was key to have a little time to repack and dry out my gear, as this trip was super wet and rainy. Last time I ran it in 2022, it was super hot and dry at almost the exact same last week of January. I kept true to the .gpx file and ran that Cypress jungle solo and please message me if you are doing this section because I have pictures of the start and finish, and I think it would be better to divert around and follow the huge Camino stones and signage a mile north then come around but you do you. The Cypress forest is faster but pretty scary solo. I have a map for you but snakes are back there. STAY ON THE FOOTPATH. Then I headed up that HUGE hill and it started raining and by the time that I was at Highway 2, I was basically pre-hypothermic. I ate and warmed at that Cafeteria right off highway 2 and I stayed at a little house with a sign in front for a few hours just past El Jardin. The winds on that ridge are crazy.
Monday, I got going early toward San Pablo de Leon Cortes and booked a big 47.5 mile day to the sign at Quepos. I also have my heart rate and mileage from my iPhone to supplement this report. I arrived at 23:40.
Last time I ran it from west to east in 8+ days and that's the best way to run it for speed. I had fun going east to West this time and it was way harder and you vert and bleed first this way. I say run it from Quepos to the Caribbean and you can rock it in two days, 14 hours, in theory. Ha Ha.
Overall, this trip was a really great break from the Colorado winter blues. I carried all my own gear start to finish in a 15 liter Palante Joey, ran in Altra Mont Blanc's, and used my carbon Leki adjustable poles, which were great for signaling to traffic and scaring away dog attacks, although most of the wild dogs that attacked me in 2022 are now chained up, and that's karma little buddy! Also, Spanish is required on this route because sections do not have reception on Claro SIM cards or gps, especially on the jungle east side. I didn't ride in any vehicles like cabs this time and my general ethos and background as a thru hiker is continuous footpath, and I ran this whole .gpx as close as I could except when like outside San Pablo there was a circus blocking the street so I just went long around so as to not short miles. I did this whole effort in good faith and not drinking beer or smoking weed will make you way faster on this route. I probably ate 23 ice cream sandwiches, and seriously 30 bottles of Coca Cola, they got the real sugar bottles there and that's my fuel for long runs and ultras.
I used all open public restaurants, sodas, and stores and lodging laces on the road. Several of these have changed since that old guidebook came out and I have a pretty good updated list on my phone if anyone needs it.
I speak Spanish and some Norwegian, and was born in Denmark. Please invite me to run in Norway!!!
Thank you for your time and consideration, in gratitude.
"We are all just walking each other home.- Ram Dass"
Buen Camino,
Tomasito