FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: June 28, 2012

By Zeke Zucker

The Courses

1. How will I follow the race route during the day?
The courses will be marked with 8" diameter yellow plastic pie plates, with bold dark black arrows indicating go right, left or straight. The standard for a turn will be one arrow plate 50 to 100' before the turn. Two plates at the turn and a confidence plate 50 to 100' after the turn. Confidence means a yellow plate with a black letter C on it.

2. How will I follow the race route in the dark?
There will be green glow sticks (chem-lights) marking the route.

3. How much of the 100 Km. course is the same as the 100 Mile?
The 100 Km. course also starts at Silver Hill Meadow, but takes a different route. The runners do 6.0 miles in getting to Lillian's Aid Station, which is the 43.9 Mile aid station for the 100 Milers. From that point to the end the two courses are identical.

4. Will the strictly 100 Km. portion (the first 6.0 miles) be marked differently from how the 100 Mile is marked?
Yes. It will be marked with LAVENDER pie plates, but only until it joins the 100 Mile course, at which points everyone will follow Yellow plates.

5. Are the trail sections rocky?
For the most part, no. There will be some roots, small rocks and ruts, so pay attention and pick up your feet. We have driven or run all of the trails and cut downed trees and tossed limbs and branches, but some can fall the evening before or the day of.

6. Where do the courses go?
The 100 Mile goes thru parts of 9 towns in a three lobe cloverleaf pattern. The 100 Km goes thru parts of 6 towns on the latter two cloverleaf 'lobes'.

7. Are the courses hilly?
Yes, indeed!

8. What is the total vertical for the 100 Mile? For the 100 Km?
Approximately 14,000' for the 100 Mile and 9,000' for the 100 Km.

9.. What percentage is: gravel road/ trail, jeep rd./ paved?
For the 100 Mile: 67.5% / 27% / 5.5%

For the 100 Km. 67.5% / 31% / 1.5%

Directions & Handler Stations

10. How do I get to Camp Ten Bear (from Silver Hill)?
See the Handler Directions.

11. How do I get to Silver Hill (from Camp Ten Bear)?
See the Handler Directions.

12. How many Handler aid stations are there?
9 for the 100 Mile and 7 for the 100 Kilometer.

13. Where are the Handler aid stations?
See the Handler Instructions.

14. Where can I park at the Handler access aid stations?
Where the Handler Directions and/or station personnel tell you.

15. How long does it take to drive to the first Handler Station?
35 minutes will get you there in time to set up for your runner.

16. How long does it take to drive to the other Handler Stations?
See the Handler Directions.

Weather and Celestial Items

17. What time does the sun come up?
5:28 a.m. Saturday and 5:29 a.m. Sunday

18. What time does the sun set Saturday evening?
8:24 p.m.

19. How cool/cold will it be at the start of the 100 and overnight Saturday?
It is usually in the 50's, but could be in the 40's or 60's

20. How warm/hot will it get on Saturday and Sunday
It is usually in the 70's, but could be in the 60's, 80's or 90's.

21. Will it rain during the races?
It could and has but on average does not. We'll give you the latest weather forecast at the pre-race briefing.

The Schedule

22. When does the 100 Mile start?
4:00 a.m. Saturday

23. When does the 100K start?
9:00 a.m. Saturday

24. What is the cutoff time for the 100 Mile?
10:00 a.m. Sunday

25. What is the cutoff time for the 100Km?
10:00 a.m. Sunday

26. When and where will the pre-race briefing be held?
3:45 p.m. Friday in or near the main tent

27. When and where is the pasta dinner Friday evening?
5:30 p.m. in the main tent

28. When and where is the post-race barbeque?
In the main tent at 10:30 a.m. Sunday

29. When are the awards?
Following serving of the barbeque on Sunday (about 11:00 a.m.).

Gear

30. Should I take a flashlight for the start of the 100 Mile?
Yes, a small inexpensive one, that you may get back.

31. Should I wear regular (non-trail) running shoes?
We suggest trail shoes but you could get by with road shoes

32. Should I carry a water bottle or hydration pack for the race?
Yes

33. Should I carry two water bottles for the race?
Not if you have a hydration pack. Yes, if the weather is above 85 degrees and you anticipate taking over 28 hours to complete the run.

Aid Stations

34. What kind of energy drink will be provided at the aid stations?
Heed from Hammer Nutrition

35. What kind of food will be provided at the aid stations?
The standard 'buffet' of chips, fruit, M&M's, cookies, baked potato chunks. Soup, broth, coffee, tea or hot chocolate at some stations after dark. Burgers and Dogs at Camp Ten Bear.

36. Can I get basic first aid supplies, such as band aids, at the aid stations?
All the manned aid stations have a small first aid kit with Vaseline, bandages, sanitary products, ibuprophen, etc.

37. Can I get electrolyte caplets at the aid stations?
Yes, at some.

38. Can I get energy gels at the aid stations?
Normally no. When using your own gels, please hold the wrappers and dispose of them at the next aid station.

Running with Horses

39. Will the horses run over me?
No. They really want to slow down to your pace.

40. Do the horses start at the same place the runners do?
Yes, for the 100 Mile ride, but an hour later. There are also 75 and 50 mile rides.

41. What should I do if a horse wants to pass me?
Talk with the rider and step aside, if asked to.

42. What should I do if I want to pass a horse?
Talk with the rider and wait until he/she says it's OK.

Medical

43. Where can I get medical attention?
The medical center is at the main tent. Minor aid can be obtained at one or more of the handler stations if an EMT is present. Otherwise we have ham radio communication with all of the Handler Stations in order to connect an injured runner with medical personnel.

44. Are there mandatory medical checks?
Yes, at Ten Bear (mile points 47.2 and 70.1) and at Bill's (mile 88.6). There's an Optional check at Stage Rd. (Mile 30.1), where it's wise for everyone to check for any early weight change.

45. For what reason(s) would the medical personnel stop me from running?
For significant weight gain or loss or other obvious physical demise.

General and Miscellaneous

46. Where can I get ice and other supplies?
At the following country stores: South Woodstock, Teago, Downers, Williams, Brownsville, Shaugnessy's in Reading and at Mac's Market or Maplefields in Woodstock

47. Where can I find a pacer? You can request one via our website at: http://www.vermont100.com/pacer_pacer_needed.html
Once you get to Registration, look for John Bassette in the yellow "West Point" baseball cap at the main tent.

48. Can I provide assistance to my runner at other than the Handler aid stations?
It is not allowed, but if you happen to see them on the road you can say hi.

49. Where exactly is the start?
Both races start between the main tent and the adjacent road at Silver Hill Meadow; 100 Milers head down the hill. 100 K'ers start here this year and head UP the hill.

50. Where exactly is the finish?
For both races it is out behind the main tent over where there's an opening in the trees and where there is a big gateway with a sign that says 'Finish'.

51 Have there been any course changes?
Yes, due to the closure of the Taftsville Covered Bridge, you will be running through part of 'downtown' Woodstock. This reroute adds some mileage to the course, but that amount is corrected near the very end of the course by not running up and around Blood Hill. The Taftsville Aid Station (#3) is now in a new location, but the distance to it has changed only slightly.

52. How fast will the winners run the races?
For the 100 Mile, the men in about 16 hrs and the women in about18 hrs.

For the 100 Km, the men in about 8.5 hrs and the women in about 10 hrs.

53. What will race officials be wearing?
They will be wearing light-green (celadon/dill) shirts that say Race Official on the back.

54. What is VASS?
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, which provides sports and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. Your entry fee goes directly toward provision of these services.