The night before my run, while relaxing at a beautiful lodge in central Curaçao, I was researching Christoffelberg, the island's highest peak. Somehow, the conversation between me and my girlfriend turned to fastest known times. Out of curiosity, I checked the FKT website and was surprised to find no recorded time for the mountain.
I figured this relatively out-of-shape 38-year-old from northern New York could still move quickly enough to establish a respectable starting point. If nothing else, perhaps it would inspire someone to smash the record, ideally while raising money for a good cause.
I packed energy bars, cashews, salty snacks, and electrolyte drinks, then set my alarm for 5 a.m. I planned to (and later did) complete the effort solo and self-supported, carrying my own food and fluids without outside assistance or resupply.
I arrived at Christoffel National Park around 5:45 a.m., waited for the gates to open at 6 (the climbing start time is 6am to 10am due to extreme heat in the afternoon), signed the rather entertaining liability waiver, and started Strava. Unlike most hikers, who drive to the mountain's main trailhead, I began at the park entrance as per the established FKT route, and planned to cover the entire route on foot.
It was already around 85°F (29°C) when I started, and the climb was hot, humid, and humbling. For someone from northern New York who spends two-thirds of the year feeling cold, the tropical heat was both a blessing and a drain. My fitness wasn't where I wanted it to be, but I maintained a reasonably quick pace, passing dozens of hikers along the way. One even called after me in a confused and concerned tone, "Why are you running?" A fair question, honestly.
Near the summit, I caught up with a group of Marines making their way up the mountain. Unsure whether I was allowed to pass them, I slowed to their pace, which turned out to be a very welcome break. By that point, I was already dizzy, nauseated, and exhausted, despite having consumed roughly a liter of electrolyte-infused water. Pretty embarrassing, considering I was supposedly attempting a speed record! I was also well aware of the risks of pushing too hard in that heat and had no interest in becoming another tourist requiring rescue.
After a few minutes, the Marines invited me to pass. The final steep scramble on hand and foot was my favorite section, and soon I was enjoying the breeze and spectacular views from the summit.
I captured my summit time but kept Strava recording, annoyed at my failure to confirm if the FKT route was considered one-way or round-trip. After a short break, I descended at a quick pace, enjoying the technical terrain, desert landscape (never forget to stop and smell the cactus...), and even a few trailside bones that seemed like an appropriate warning to overambitious runners.
I finished back at the park entrance, where some employees seemed surprised by my quick return, although others were considerably less impressed!
I'm under no illusion that this is an unbeatable time. Quite the opposite. I hope it gives someone a starting point to improve upon, I'm sure substantially, and hopefully raise some money for charity in the process. I'm donating the dollar equivalent of my round trip time of 1 hour, 27 minutes and 33 seconds ($127.33 so it's more than the FKT time of 43 minutes and 35 seconds) to Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI), who manages, preserves, and protects Christoffel National Park as Curaçao's largest terrestrial protected area.
Thank you, Curaçao, for your hospitality, beautiful landscapes, and commitment to preserving your national parks. It was a pleasure to experience Christoffelberg in this way.