What is a Fastest Known Time?
Fastest Known Times (or FKTs) are nothing new but they have been getting more and more popular in recent years. The increase in popularity comes thanks the likes of Kilian Jornet’s Summits of my Life project, and recent publicity over FKTs like the Grand Canyon’s Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim and the Pacific Crest Trail. In recent years, it has also become easier to share these experiences over social media, and to ‘prove’ the record with GPS devices and GoPro cameras.
The concept is simple and pure; An athlete chooses a route, and tries to be the fastest person who has ever gone from point A to point B. A route can be bagging a peak, an out-and-back, a loop, run self-supported or with a crew, solo or as a team. There are really no hard and fast rules.
While there are many highly coveted FKTs in the world, I thought it would be fun to track down some of the local FKTs in Southwest British Columbia. The inspiration comes from Eric Carter’s post on Sea to Sky FKTs, and Gary Robbins’ 2014 FKT on the Hanes Valley Loop.
Submitting an FKT
Listed below are the ones we’ve been able to track down thus far. If you know of another (or better yet, set your own!), please email it to me (info [at] outdoorvancouver [dot ] ca). Include the name of the record holder, the route taken, and any accompanying details (gps tracks, blog posts, YouTube link, names of witnesses, etc, etc, and anything else that helps give it credibility).
There really are no rules for FKTs, but personally, I would consider a few things:
- They shouldn’t be short Strava segments. We all love Strava segments, but FKTs should have a certain badassedness (that’s a real word) to them.
- If an FKT already exists, try not do a slight variation of the route and claim a new FKT – do the already existing route. Try to mimic the original FKT as much as possible. (ie, if the existing record holder did the route self-supported, don’t use a crew). If you do something different in your FKT, point out the differences.
- If you’re going for an FKT, consider reaching out to the current record holder as a courtesy and let them know about your attempt. Odds are they’ll be happy to give you some pointers and may want to otherwise support and cheer you on.
- Publish as much proof of your FKT as possible. The more detailed in your documentation, the better. This not only gives your FKT more credibility, but it helps those coming after you. This is about friendly competition, after all.
- Respect any park rules and the environment you’re in.
** We will not post FKTs completed on trails that are closed at the time of the FKT. An example would be the Hanes Valley Trail’s seasonal winter closure as managed by Metro Vancouver, or a BC Parks closure for Coronavirus or any other reason. We want to encourage everyone to participate in an FKT attempt in the safest way possible and to respect rules that are in place for public safety.
I’d also like to acknowledge the resources used to collect the initial list of FKTs on this page:
- Eric Carter’s input and post on FKTs in the Sea to Sky area
- Gary Robbins‘ input and suggestions
- David Crerar’s post on Club Fat Ass
- Trail Running Magazine’s list of Canadian Trail Records
FKTs around Southwest B.C.
Men’s Fastest Known Times
West Coast Trail
Record holder: Matt Cecill (Previous: Gary Robbins)
Date: July 19, 2014
Distance: 75 km
Time: 9h 32m 32s
Link: Strava
Notes: Witnessed by Alex Gillett and Bob Cecill at start (at the Pacheena Bay WCT Information Center) and finish (at the Gordon River WCT start/finish).
Women’s Fastest Known Times
West Coast Trail
Record holder:Tara Berry and Alicia Woodside (Previous: Jade de La Rosa (13h 18m 21s))
Date: June 21, 2019
Distance: 75 km
Time: 11h 34m 15s
Link: Strava
Notes:Witnessed by Chris Brower & Holland Gidney
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
Record holder: Matt Cecill (Previous: Jordan Maynard)
Date: July 5, 2014
Distance: 47 km
Time: 5h 14m 27s
Link: Strava
Notes: Witnessed by Des Bazett at China beach 0km start marker, and 47km finish marker in Botanical Beach parking lot.
Juan de Fuca Marine Trail
Record holder: Hilary Spires & Katie Mills (Previous: Katherine Boere)
Date: July 24, 2020
Distance: 47 km
Time: 7h 6m 34s
Link: Strava 1 & Strava 2
Notes: South to north.
West Coast Double (West Coast Trail and Juan De Fuca Marine Trails)
Record holder: Gary Robbins (First known time)
Date: Aug 6 – 7, 2007
Distance: 130 km
Time: 23h 40m
Notes: Route includes 8km connector road between the two trails.
West Coast Double (West Coast Trail and Juan De Fuca Marine Trails)
Record holder: Paige Morrow (First known time)
Date: Aug 5 – 7, 2015
Distance: 130 km
Time: 41h 4m
Link: Garmin Connect
Notes: Same route as Gary Robbins – South from Bamfield, includes the connecting road.
North Coast Trail
Record holders: Bob Wall, Jeff Hunt
Date: May 10, 2008
Distance: 60 km
Time: 11h
Link: Blog post
Notes:
North Coast Trail
Record holder: Jen Segger, Alycia Traas (Previous: Rhonda Teramura)
Date: July 20, 2020
Distance: 60 km
Time: 11h 57m 17s
Link: FKT
Notes:
Sunshine Coast Trail
Record holder: Nick Duff (Previous: Christophe Le Saux)
Date: Aug 30, 2020
Distance: 176 km
Time: 27h 20m
Link: Strava 1 & Strava 2
Notes: In Regards to the GPXfiles and the STRAVAdata : I used a Suunto watch from the start and the battery lasted until somewhere on the last big climb up Mt Troubridge, where the watch died. When you plug your watch back in it turns back on, and then you can stop the activity and save which I did after I had finished the route and got into the truck, hence the time showing longer than it was. If you look at the second file Fairview Bay to Finish, I realized I could use my phone and started the finishing activity at my last aid station. That activity was started at 6:34am and finished at 8:20am at the Saltery Bay Sunshine Coast Trail sign. So, there are some missing kms between running down off Mt Troubridge and my aid station near the Saltery Bay FSR01 which crosses the trail before you access the Fairview Bay/Rainy Day Lake junction. The entire distance was covered from 5:00am to 8:20 am sharp.
For a great doc on the First Known Time of this trail watch XS-NRG on YouTube
Sunshine Coast Trail
Record holder: Nicola Gildersleeve (First known time)
Date: Sep 6-7, 2014
Distance: 176 km
Time: 33h 50m
Link: Blog post
Notes: Did not go over Tin Hat Mountain as per original FKT set by Ean Jackson. Started where the big SCT wooden sign-post is at Sarah Point (not on beach). Witnesses: Megan Molnar, Peter Watson, Shauna Connaughton, Donna Devine.
“Ferry to Ferry Route” (Earls Cove ferry terminal to Langdale ferry)
Record holder: Luke Till & Jeff Ritchie (First known time)
Date: April 14, 2019
Distance: 96 km
Time: 14h 19m
Link: Garmin Connect
Notes: A simple summary would be that it’s a link up of our local Suncoaster trail and the BC bike race route. Roughly 60% single track bike trail (classic roots, rocks etc) with a 40% blend of ROW and some logging road. It’s has beautiful ocean/lake views, varied terrain, varied flora and fauna. Tons of wildlife.
We were supported on-route.
Ferry to Ferry Route
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Howe Sound Crest Trail
Record holder: Mike Murphy (Previous: Eric Carter & Nick Elson)
Date: July 30, 2016
Distance: 29 km
Time: 3h 44m 00s
Link: Garmin Connect
Notes: From Cypress Bowl to Porteau Road
Howe Sound Crest Trail
Record holder: Tara Berry and Alicia Woodside (Previous: Christina Porte)
Date: Oct 27, 2018
Distance: 29 km
Time: 4h 28m 15s
Link: Strava
Notes: From Cypress Bowl to Porteau Road. Witnessed by Julien Lamoureux
Howe Sound Crest Trail (North to South)
Record holder: Craig Fowler (Previous: James Stewart)
Date: August 29, 2020
Distance: 29 km
Time: 4h 16m 44s
Link: Strava
Notes: From Porteau Road to Cypress Bowl. “I did the old route, with the logging road right from the start”. Witnessed (at start and at Mt Unnecessary) by Brandon Gardiner.
Howe Sound Crest Trail (North to South)
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Double Howe Sound Crest Trail
Record holder: James Stewart (Previous: Peter Cave)
Date: September 21, 2020
Distance: 54 km
Time: 10h 58m 20s
Link: Strava
Notes: “Starting from HSCT trailhead marker near the cypress ski lift – to porteau carpark and back. Official Time: 10:58:20. Strava activity says moving time was 10:58:40 but I purposefully started my watch 20 secs before passing the trail marker just to make sure the strava segment hit. Witnessed by Brian Clements at Porteau Rd carpark and he accompanied me back to Cypress for the second leg.”
Double Howe Sound Crest Trail
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Hanes Valley Loop
Record holder: Craig Fowler (Previous: Brandon Gardiner)
Date: Oct 3, 2020
Distance: ~25 km
Time: 2h 31m 35s
Link: Strava
Notes: Lynn Headwaters sign post to sign post.
Norvan bridge 31:00
Helipad 59:30
Crown pass 1:25:00
Grizzlies 1:50:00
Top of 7th secret 2:07:00
“Witnessed by Mitchell Davidson who gave me a 10min headstart, yelled some insults/motivation at me on the boulder field, then finished with a very respectable 2:49 himself.”
Hanes Valley Loop
Record holder: Aisling O’Shea (Previous: Keri McKenzie)
Date: Aug 30, 2020
Distance: ~25km
Time: 2h 51m 47s
Link: Strava
Notes: Lynn Headwaters signpost to signpost. Run was solo & unsupported.
35:15 on bridge @ Norvan
1:34:ish at crown mtn junction
2:01:ish at grizzly bears
2:20:ish at seventh secret trail
South Needle Traverse Loop
Record holder: Gary Robbins & Nick Elson
Date: August 13, 2015
Distance: 24 km
Time: 3h 33m 34s
Link: Strava & Strava
Notes: This route requires route-finding and covers dangerous terrain.
South Needle Traverse Loop
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Notes: This route requires route-finding and covers dangerous terrain.
Grouse Grind
Record holder: Sebastian Salas* (Asterisked for being caught doping a few years after record set). (Previous: Jonathan Wyatt in 24m 22s in 2004)
Date: August 24, 2010
Distance: 2.9km
Time: 23m 48s
Link: Grouse grind
Notes: Controversial record
Grouse Grind
Record holder: Kristin Størmer Steira (Previous: Leanne Johnston in 31m 04s)
Date: Sept 7, 2014
Distance: 2.9km
Time: 30m 52s
Link: Grouse Grind Challenge
Notes:
Crown Mountain
Record holder: Oliver Bibby
Date: August 12th, 2014
Distance: 4.8km
Time: 49m 09s
Link: Strava
Notes: Grouse Grind Chalet Sign Post to the Summit of Crown Mountain (Highest Point).
Crown Mountain
Record holder: Danielle O’Neill (Previous: Karen Bond)
Date: Oct 13, 2018
Distance: 4.8km
Time: 1h 04m 14s
Link: Strava
Notes: Grouse Grind Chalet Sign Post to the Summit of Crown Mountain (Highest Point). Witnessed by Matt Ehrenreich.
Crown Mountain (from the bottom of the Grouse Grind, return)
Record holder: Dean Perez (Previous: Michael Burke)
Date: July 28, 2019
Distance: 14 km
Time: 2h 47m 39m
Link: Strava
Notes: From the bottom of the Grouse Grind, up to the Grouse Resort, to the summit of Crown, then return via the BCMC trail back down.
Crown Mountain (from the bottom of the Grouse Grind, return)
Record holder: Danielle O’Neill
Date: Oct 13, 2018
Distance: 14 km
Time: 3h 50m 40s
Link: Strava
Notes: From the bottom of the Grouse Grind, up to the Grouse Resort, to the summit of Crown, then return via the BCMC trail back down. Witnessed by Matt Ehrenreich.
Coliseum Mountain – Out and back
Record holder: Dean Perez
Date: August 27, 2019
Distance: 22 km
Time: 3h 07m 19m
Link: Strava
Notes: Start and finish at Lynn Headwaters sign post
Coliseum Mountain – Out and back
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Vancouver 100 (A double Baden-Powell / Knee Knacker)
Record holder: Hassan Lotfi-Pour
Date: June 2, 2012
Distance: 100km
Time: 14h 35m
Link: Club Fat Ass
Notes: This is an annual Club Fat Ass event but could be potentially bested outside of race day.
Vancouver 100 (A double Baden-Powell / Knee Knacker)
Record holder: Amber Brown (Previous: Carolyn Goluza)
Date: June 1, 2018
Distance: 100km
Time: 16h 37m
Link: Strava
Notes: This is an annual Club Fat Ass event but could be potentially bested outside of race day.
Vancouver 200 (A double Vancouver 100)
Record holder: Hassan Lotfi-Pour
Date: June 1, 2018
Distance: 200 km
Time: 46h 34m
Link: 2018 Van 100 Race Results
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Vancouver 100 (A double Vancouver 100)
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Vancouver Triple Crown (running version)
Record holder: Benoît Gignac (also a First Known Time)
Date: August 7, 2016
Distance: 35km
Time: 3h 32m
Link: Strava
Notes: “Today I ran the Triple Crown in Vancouver (normally used as a cycling route). I think it’s the “original” Triple Crown (Seymour, from base to top, on the road; Mountain Highway, the gravel road to the top of Grind; Cypress, from base to top, on the road). I ran the uphill only. My girlfriend picked me up on top of Seymour and drove me to the entrance of Mountain Highway, then from the base of Grind, after I took the gondola, to the base of Cypress.”
Editor’s note for clarity: The ‘modern’ Triple Crown cycling route includes cycling up Nancy Greene Way. Instead, Benoit ran up Old Mountain Highway to the top of Grouse Mountain Resort. Downhills and in-between mountains was covered by car and not counted towards the total time.
Vancouver Triple Crown (running version)
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Black Tusk
Record holder: Eric Carter (Previous: Adam Campbell)
Date: August 6, 2014
Distance: 24 km
Time: 2h 37m 11s
Link: Strava
Notes: Start your watch at the trailhead of the Garibaldi Lake Trail (Rubble Creek parking lot) and stop it on return. Follow the route described in Matt Gunn’s Scrambles in SW BC.
Black Tusk
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Notes: Start your watch at the trailhead of the Garibaldi Lake Trail and stop it on return. Follow the route described in Matt Gunn’s Scrambles in SW BC.
Panorama Ridge
Record holder: Colin Pither (unwitnessed)
Date: August 30, 2014
Distance: 29km
Time: 3h 11m 41s
Link:
Notes: Start your watch at the trailhead of the Garibaldi Lake Trail (Rubble Creek parking lot) and stop it on return.
Panorama Ridge
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Notes: Start your watch at the trailhead of the Garibaldi Lake Trail and stop it on return.
Singing Pass Trail to Rubble Creek
Record holder: Cameron York (Previous: Daniel Moller)
Date: August 9, 2022
Distance: ~56km
Time: 8h 02m 39s
Link: Strava
Notes: Witnessed by Hillary Kerr at the start by the village bus loop and at the Rubble Creek trailhead to finish.
Singing Pass Trail to Rubble Creek
Record holder: Devon Goldstein (Previous: Jackie Muir)
Date: September 3, 2020
Distance: ~56km
Time: 7h 55m 22s
Link: Suunto
Notes: “I started at the sign post and map at the bus loop just up the stair from the village. Took singing pass, musical bumps, high note, highway 86, top of the world, khyber pass, upper Babylon, Babylon by bike, see colour and puke, cheakamus Road, helm creek trail, down to rubble creek stopping at the sign post at the parking lot.”
Sky Pilot
Record holder: Eric Carter
Date: June 10, 2014
Distance: 15.5km
Time: 2h 47m
Link: MovesCount and Coast Mountain Skiing
Notes: Start/stop watch at the big map signpost at the gondola top station (round trip).
Sky Pilot
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The Stawamus Chief (Peak 1)
Record holder: Nick Elson
Date: Jun 9, 2014
Distance: 1.5km
Time: 17m 52s
Link: Strava
Notes:
The Stawamus Chief (Peak 1)
Record holder: Shannon Penway
Date: May 26, 2013
Distance: 1.5km
Time: 27m 39s
Link: Strava
Notes:
The Stawamus Chief (All 3 Peaks)
Record holder: Richard MacKellar (Previous: Dan Green)
Date: May 16, 2013
Distance: ~6km
Time: 67m 6s
Link:
Notes: This is starting from the post at the bottom of the stairs, over the 3rd peak, 2nd peak, down to pick up the via ferrata, to the 1st peak and down the regular trail, back to the post at the bottom of the stairs.
The Stawamus Chief (All 3 Peaks)
Record holder: Karen Bond
Date: Sep 28, 2017
Distance: 5.7 km
Time: 1h 29m 28s
Link: Strava
Notes: Started at the signpost at the bottom of the stairs, ran up and along the Slhaney trail, up the climber’s via ferrata on the backside of Third, then to Second, to the 1st/2nd gully, up the climber’s via ferrata to First, and then back the usual way to the trailhead.
Evac Trail (Sea to Sky Gondola)
Record holder: Richard MacKellar
Date: June 12, 2015
Distance: 4.5 km
Time: 55m 7s
Link:
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Evac Trail (Sea to Sky Gondola)
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Wedgemount Lake
Record holder: Vincent Pagot
Date: Sep 11, 2015
Distance: 5.2km
Time: 1h 08m 11s
Link: Strava
Notes:
Wedgemount Lake
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Brunswick Mountain (return)
Record holder: Nick Duff (Previous: Mike Murphy)
Date: July 13, 2020
Distance: 14.6 km
Time: 1h 53m 15s
Link: Strava
Notes: From the yellow gate at the Lions Bay trailhead, to the true summit of Brunswick, and back to yellow gate.
Brunswick Mountain (return)
Record holder: Jade Belzberg (Previous: Katherine Short)
Date: August 2, 2023
Distance: 14.6 km
Time: 2h 20m 22s
Link: Strava
Notes: From the yellow gate at the Lions Bay trailhead, to the true summit of Brunswick, and back to yellow gate.
West Lion Summit
Record holder: Mike Murphy
Date: July 26, 2018
Distance: 16 km
Time: 2h 12m 38s
Link: Garmin Connect
Notes: From the yellow gate at the Lions Bay trailhead, to West Lion summit, back to gate.
West Lion Summit
Record holder: Karen Bond
Date: July 26, 2016
Distance: 8 km
Time: 2h 42m 54s
Link: Strava
Notes:
West Lion Summit – Return
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West Lion Summit – Return
Record holder: Amber Brown
Date: Sep 4, 2020
Distance: 14 km
Time: 3h 07m 43s
Link: Strava
Notes: Gate to gate
Mount Harvey
Record holder: Mike Murphy
Date: Aug 2, 2018
Distance: 11.2 km
Time: 1h 38m 45s
Link: Garmin Connect
Notes: From the yellow gate at the Lions Bay trailhead, to the summit, and back to yellow gate.
Mount Harvey
Record holder: Tara Berry (Previous: Jeanelle Hazlett)
Date: Oct 14, 2019
Distance: 11.2
Time: 2h 01m 08s
Link: Strava
Notes: From the yellow gate at the Lions Bay trailhead, to the summit, and back to yellow gate.
Fastest local beer mile
Record holder: Jim Finlayson (Victoria)
Date: December 18, 2007
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 5m 09s
Link: Beer Mile
Notes: This was the world Beer Mile record until 2013. Truly impressive stuff here.
Fastest local beer mile
Record holder: Kirsty Smith (Vancouver)
Date: Dec 31, 2004
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 6m 43s
Link: Beer Mile
Notes:
Golden Hinde via Westmin
Record holder: Nick Elson (Previous: Andrey Polyakov)
Date: Aug 29, 2020
Distance: 61 km
Time: 10h 01m 52s
Link: Strava
Notes: Highest Mountain on Vancouver Island. ~5000m of elevation gain/loss for this route.
Golden Hinde via Westmin
Record holder: Katherine Boere & Freya Wasteneys
Date: Aug 14, 2018
Distance: 61 km
Time: 18 h 27 m
Link:
Notes: GPX file and photos were submitted for proof.
Mt. Albert Edward
Record holder: Derek Vinge, Andrew Russell (Previous: Chris Sundby & Jericho O’Connell)
Date: Aug 30, 2020
Distance: 33 km
Time: 3h 49m 52s
Link: FKT
Notes:
Mt. Albert Edward
Record holder: Katherine Boere (Previous: Rhonda Teramura)
Date: Aug 26, 2018
Distance: 33 km
Time: 5h 17m 55s
Link: Strava
Notes:
Golden Ears Summit
Record holder: Marcus Ribi (Previous: James Stewart)
Date: Sep 11, 2020
Distance: 11.9 km
Time: 1h 59m 30s
Link: Strava
Notes: Route from West Canyon parking lot.
Golden Ears Summit
Record holder: Jade Belzberg (Previous: Hilary Spires & Katie Mills)
Date: July 30, 2023
Distance: 11.9 km
Time: 2h 08m 59s
Link: Strava
Notes: Route from West Canyon parking lot. Supported and witnessed by Nick Belzberg.
Lift to Lift (Cypress Mtn to Sea to Sky Gondola)
Record holder: Peter Cave (Previous: Ian Robertson)
Date: Aug 3, 2018
Distance: 72 km
Time: 15h 52m
Link: Strava
Notes: Ian Robertson: “This route combines the HSCT with the route to Mountain Lake Hut, and then traverses by Sky Pilot and takes Skyline Ridge down to the Sea to Sky Gondola. There are certainly ways to cut out distance from our route, so I’d suggest this be slightly less of a ‘follow this route’ type of FKT/OKT but more a ‘start here, finish here, choose your own adventure inbetween’ kind of thing.”
Peter Cave: Strava file shows some bonus content at the start and end, but Peter started at 5:00am at Cypress Bowl HSCT trailhead kiosk by the ski patrol shack and ended 8:52pm at bottom of Sea to Sky Gondola. Photos of watch times were supplied. Witnessed by Kurt Amundson.
Lift to Lift (Cypress Mtn to Sea to Sky Gondola)
Record holder: Christina Porte
Date: Sep 16, 2017
Distance: 72 km
Time: 20h 43m 51s
Link: Strava
Notes: First known time. “This route combines the HSCT with the route to Mountain Lake Hut, and then traverses by Sky Pilot and takes Skyline Ridge down to the Sea to Sky Gondola. There are certainly ways to cut out distance from our route, so I’d suggest this be slightly less of a ‘follow this route’ type of FKT/OKT but more a ‘start here, finish here, choose your own adventure inbetween’ kind of thing.”
Stein Valley Traverse
Record holder: Nick Elson (Previous: Dan Durston & Peter Watson)
Date: August 28, 2018
Distance: ~95 km
Time: 13 h 30m
Link: Strava.
Notes:
Stein Valley Traverse
Record holder: Nicola Gildersleeve
Date: August 2016
Distance: ~95 km
Time: 23h 37m
Link: Blog post
Notes:
