Is the optimal 51s run hitting the switch and then going through or allowing the guard to open it when you trigger him early in the tunnel?

Not that im close to 51s, I just attained 54s and was slow by the locked gate shooting the lock. I'm aiming for 52-53 seconds with that cleanup and the box explosion boost.

51s is insanity.

Congrats on 54! To answer your question, the tunnel strat is optimal. You can watch one of the record vids or look at some of the forums over on the-elite.net if you're having trouble with it.

Back tracking to this level tonight. Will attain 53 seconds first🤞