Bay Circuit Trail

Cole Crosby | November 9-11 | FKT

On November 11th, Cole Crosby set out to attempt the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Bay Circuit Trail (BCT), also affectionately known as the ‘Emerald Necklace.’ With the support of Chaos Crewing Co. and many amazing volunteers, Cole ran the length of the trail in just under 54 hours, officially setting the trail’s new FKT record!

This 230+ mile multi-use trail winds through 37 cooperative towns in the Greater Boston Area, forming a crescent loop around the city’s perimeter. The BCT showcases a stunning array of natural landscapes and is easily accessible via the T-train, providing convenient transportation from Boston Airport for travelers. We hope you are inspired to visit and experience the diverse and historically rich tapestry that Southern New England has to offer, appealing to both locals and visitors alike.

Thank you to Trackleaders for providing a live tracker, allowing us all to follow Cole’s progress along the course from anywhere.

The GPX File below shows you a complete map of the course. You can download the GPX file to locate access points along the course and perhaps plan your next endurance adventure in New England.

Thank you Aravaipa Running for providing regular updates on their Youtube channel. You can watch all of the coverage on the Mountain Outpost channel, including the FKT Showdown Preview.

As an endurance athlete, Cole is propelled by adventure and the extreme conditions of expedition-style running. He built his endurance capabilities through top performances at 50k and 100k national championship events.

Now, his focus lies in conquering the longest distances, in the hottest and coldest environments. He excels in extreme running conditions and chases opportunities to push the limits of human capability. His mission is to set the fastest times in some of the most extraordinary ultra-endurance locations in the world.

Cole is passionate about bringing visibility to other athletes and actively promotes under-represented athletic communities. Specifically, he serves as the secretary of the World Snowshoe Federation and participates in revolving outreach activities that provide race support to athletes located in the eastern half of the United States. Recently, he has paced, mentored, or crewed athletes in PA, NY, NJ, RI, and MA.

Cole is a member of the Central Mass Striders and the Aravaipa - White Mountain Endurance Northeast running teams. He lives in Cranston, RI with his wife, three cats, and two dogs. Check out his blog here.

Instagram // Twitter

Art Beauregard | June 2020
4d 5h 6m 0s

Matt Dibb | October 2022
3d 20h 13m 47s

Self-Supported

Lyla Harrod | September 2021
6d 7h 7m 0s

Special thanks are owed to Ben Manning and Misfits Running Inc., champions of the misfit spirit in the world of running. Ben, a fervent endurance-running advocate, understands that many runners often feel like outsiders, especially when tackling new and demanding race distances. Misfits Running Inc. stands as a pillar of companionship and support for these runners, assuring them that they are never alone in their pursuit of conquering challenging races. Ben offers a comprehensive range of services, from basecamp support to crewing and pacing, all tailored for ultra runners taking on races, FKT attempts, thru hikes, or grueling training runs. Ben is instrumental in preparing for the BCT FKT project, and will be a vital member of our crew, pacing Cole towards success. Connect with Ben on Instagram, or through the Chaos Crewing Network.

As enthusiasts of the outdoors and avid trail runners, we hold the belief that maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise are fundamental to both longevity and peak performance. Moreover, we are steadfast advocates for responsible stewardship of the natural environment and its invaluable resources.

This is why we've made the decision to allocate a portion of the proceeds from our event t-shirt sales to the Food Recovery Network—an organization with chapters at colleges and universities across the country dedicated to redirecting wholesome surplus food to individuals in need, instead of being sent to a landfill. Not only does this remarkable organization provide nourishing sustenance to those facing food insecurity, but it also plays a crucial role in reducing food waste, a leading emitter of greenhouse gases. We warmly encourage you to contribute a cash donation through the link provided below.