Second year for this event and the date has changed to Saturday August 3 , 2013 at 8 AM. Last year their was a conflict with the Bramble Scramble and the 100 on 100. In addition there is a new 100K race in NH that has been added on the week end of Aug 18 that I may want to run. So I have changed the date to eliminate the conflicts. There will be 2 races to choose from a heavy half Marathon ( closer to a 25K distance ) and a 36 mile ultra. I am looking for a way to tweek the course per some post race inputs. More on that once I return to Vermont. Last year the participation was 100 total about evenly split for each race. The Post race food,aid tables and course layout got high marks. The trail marking got low marks from several runners. This race director/trail marker will fix the trouble spots and increase marking frequency so if a turn is missed it should become obvious very soon. No Black Bears were sighted last year at the race. The race director did however encounter a small Bear as I was removing the tape near the 27 mile aid station. Said Bear was 5 paces away from me when he spotted me. The Bear had his head 2 feet deep in a Bee's nest in the ground. We saw one another about the same time and the Bear booked it down the hill before I could react. For those of you that ran last year you already know that it takes about 10 minutes for the itching to stop after you brush thru some of the stinging nettles you will likely encounter along the way. You may also want bug spray.
The races Start and End at the picturesque Blueberry Hill Inn located on the Goshen/Ripton road which is a short drive from Middlebury, Vermont. http://www.blueberryhillinn.com/index.html The 36 mile ( plus or minus) Ultra race will feature mostly single track. There is no pavement encountered during either race.. The heavy half Marathon follows the same course as the Ultra for 10.6 miles and then diverts back to the finish line (unless I can find a trail to reduce the dirt road distance on the way back ). The initial 2.6 miles will be on a dirt road After the 2.6 you will enter the trail and do a 7.5 mile single track loop climbing to the top of Moosalamoo Mountain. You will traverse along the edge of a clif that overlooks beautiful Lake Dunmore. When the loop is completed you head back on the access road until you reach the primary dirt road where everyone will cross the road and be heading into an out and back thru a potentially diabolical stroll thru some stinging nettles. This should be a treat to be embraced. The out and back was total 2 miles for the half and 5.6 miles for the Ultra back to the aid station where the half goes back to the Ripton/Goshen road for a 2.1 mile dirt road finish. The Ultra will circle the Sugar Hill reservior and run by Silver Lake and a tough short climb to a breath taking view of Lake Dunmore. Then a long loop around Silver Lake out on the Chandler Ridge trail and back on Leicester Hollow trail..Then it is back to the Blueberry Hill Inn start / finish line. Not only do you climb to the top of Moosalamoo Mountain but the region that the trails are located in is called Moosalamoo region. The Abnenaki native American Indians meaning for Moosalamoo is call or song of the moose.
In addition to running on some of the greatest trails in Vermont, the Ultra race distance will be a great training run for the Vermont 50 in Sept. or the new 100K race in New Hampshire that is 2 weeks later. The distance is also a perfect step up from the Marathon. The Heavy half is a perfect introduction to the wonderful world of trail rtunning. Both distances are very tough but doable. Come and enjoy.
The races Start and End at the picturesque Blueberry Hill Inn located on the Goshen/Ripton road which is a short drive from Middlebury, Vermont. http://www.blueberryhillinn.com/index.html The 36 mile ( plus or minus) Ultra race will feature mostly single track. There is no pavement encountered during either race.. The heavy half Marathon follows the same course as the Ultra for 10.6 miles and then diverts back to the finish line (unless I can find a trail to reduce the dirt road distance on the way back ). The initial 2.6 miles will be on a dirt road After the 2.6 you will enter the trail and do a 7.5 mile single track loop climbing to the top of Moosalamoo Mountain. You will traverse along the edge of a clif that overlooks beautiful Lake Dunmore. When the loop is completed you head back on the access road until you reach the primary dirt road where everyone will cross the road and be heading into an out and back thru a potentially diabolical stroll thru some stinging nettles. This should be a treat to be embraced. The out and back was total 2 miles for the half and 5.6 miles for the Ultra back to the aid station where the half goes back to the Ripton/Goshen road for a 2.1 mile dirt road finish. The Ultra will circle the Sugar Hill reservior and run by Silver Lake and a tough short climb to a breath taking view of Lake Dunmore. Then a long loop around Silver Lake out on the Chandler Ridge trail and back on Leicester Hollow trail..Then it is back to the Blueberry Hill Inn start / finish line. Not only do you climb to the top of Moosalamoo Mountain but the region that the trails are located in is called Moosalamoo region. The Abnenaki native American Indians meaning for Moosalamoo is call or song of the moose.
In addition to running on some of the greatest trails in Vermont, the Ultra race distance will be a great training run for the Vermont 50 in Sept. or the new 100K race in New Hampshire that is 2 weeks later. The distance is also a perfect step up from the Marathon. The Heavy half is a perfect introduction to the wonderful world of trail rtunning. Both distances are very tough but doable. Come and enjoy.
Pictured is the race director. There is no Wooden Moose this year.Kudos to Moose man Grant Pealer who made 100 of the wooden Moose in his production shop located in Pine Hurst North Carolina for last years race. He is suffering from Moose fatigue. Apparently it took him a long time to produce these limited edition treasures.Maybe next year ?
In addition to the Moose everyone who signs up 2 weeks prior to race day will get a cotton shirt so select size accordingly when you sign up. After that we can't guarantee a shirt but will try.
No transfers from signed up runner to a buddy. There is a no REFUNDS policy but that said this race director does have discretion and when contacted he may bend that policy. Hey stuff happens. You can change races by contacting the race director.
In addition to the Moose everyone who signs up 2 weeks prior to race day will get a cotton shirt so select size accordingly when you sign up. After that we can't guarantee a shirt but will try.
No transfers from signed up runner to a buddy. There is a no REFUNDS policy but that said this race director does have discretion and when contacted he may bend that policy. Hey stuff happens. You can change races by contacting the race director.
