Mon, Jun 22
|Connecticut Blue Blaze Trails
The Connecticut FKT Challenge
Due to the pandemic and because runners are looking for new challenges, we have identified 16 different trails in Connecticut fifteen miles or greater in length that we think are worthy of you as runners to take on a new kind of virtual challenge this summer.
Time & Location
Jun 22, 2020, 12:00 AM – Sep 22, 2020, 11:59 PM
Connecticut Blue Blaze Trails
About The Event
Registration for the Connecticut FKT Challenge opened on Saturday, June 20 at 5:44 p.m. which is the official start of summer!
The Connecticut FKT Challenge starts on June 20 and ends on September 22. Participants will have that time frame to do as many of the trails on the list as possible. You can register as late as August 1, but cannot start your FKT runs until you register. There is no backdating of runs.
The Connecticut FKT Challenge brought to you by Live Loud Running and Steep Endurance is a great way for you to run some or all of these trails in the next few months. FKT stands for "Fastest Known Time" and allows runners a chance to go challenge themselves in a different type of setting. We both love running tough Beast Coast singletrack and there is no shortage of that type of terrain on the list of trails below.
Your goal is to run as many of these as possible from the beginning of Summer (June 20) to the end of Summer (September 22).
We have rated each of the trails from most difficult to least difficult. Points will be awarded based on the difficulty of the trail plus your time to complete it. Bonus points will be awarded for either a female or male FKT for a specific trail.
Everyone will receive a medal for their efforts even if they don’t complete all 16 of the trails. Those who complete all 16 in their entirety, which is almost 600(!) miles, will receive a specially designed Connecticut FKT Challenge Buckle from Ragged Cuts. In addition, to make it easier for you to complete or do as many of these trails, you can signup with a partner or teammate or you can simply run them all as an individual. Both you and your teammate have to signup, but can split up the trails however you like during the challenge.
We will also be awarding a prize to the runner who we feel has overachieved and gone the most out of their comfort zone on a single FKT push.
Eligible Trails/Rules
These trails are listed in order from least difficult to most difficult. Please click on each trail below for more information about each one with distance/route. All of the links are from the official FKT website. For official rules of the challenge, please go to this LINK.
1. Menunkatuck
2. Natchaug
5. Pachaug
6. Quinnipiac
7. Mohawk
8. Nipmuck
9. Tunxis
10. Mattatuck
11. Mohawk/AT Loop
12. Shenipsit
13. Metacomet
14. Connecticut AT
15. Mattabesett
16. Connecticut Section of NET
Beneficiary
A portion of the proceeds will go to the Connecticut Forest and Park Association Almost all of these trails fall under the direction and maintenance of the CFPA. Please consider donating to them at this link as well: ctwoodlands.org/giving/join-renew-donate-now
Trail Information Links