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2024 was AMAZING… 2025 info coming soon!

Building the Ideal Race Calendar – Preparing for Vermont 100

Building the Ideal Race Calendar – Preparing for Vermont 100

Written by our own Race Director, Amy Rusiecki for QT2 Systems.

Once the credit card gets processed your entry fee (gulp) – it’s real.  You’re running this year’s VT100.  It’s time to think about finalizing your 2024 race calendar. You’re already signed up for this summer’s Vermont 100 (yay!), so now you need to focus on the smaller details of how you get from where you are now to ready to rock by July 20th . What should you be doing to gear-up for that? What tune-up races should you do, and what distances should you consider? With so many options, sometimes it’s hard to decide!

Amy during a race, running along the gravel and dirt roads of Vermont

I will admit that there’s no perfect answer to this. Even in my household, my husband and I sometimes have differing race calendars because we approach our build-up to a goal race differently. (Then again, it could be because we sometimes have different race goals also.) Either way, below are some suggestions on what the ideal race schedule would be, to get you from now until Vermont 100.

Whether training up for your first 100k or 100 miler at Vermont, you’re a seasoned runner who eats hundos for breakfast, or you’re running the Grand Slam, ideally you want to do 2-3 spring/early summer races as tune-ups before the big goal race.

These will allow you to test the legs out, remember how to run those long miles, and determine your fitness level (so you can pace the VT100 appropriate for your fitness). Doing too many races can have you reaching the starting line in mid-July feeling tired and burnt-out – and that’s no way to enjoy the beauty of Vermont! However, not doing enough pre-race can have you unsure of your ideal race pacing, and your under-trained quads will certainly be barking early on with all the ups and downs that VT100 provides. The key is to balance it all, and reach the starting line fired up and ready to crush this year’s race!

The best way to dip your toe into the 2024 ultra season is to kick things off with a 50k. Since this is an early-season ‘dusting off the cob-webs’ effort, you’ll want to do this between 12 to 20 weeks out from race day. Ultimately, that means choosing a March or April 50k race. As with most training, specificity is always a bonus – so it’s great to find a 50k race that mimics the terrain and sharp rolling hills of the Vermont 100 course. However, it’s equally important to have fun at the 50k race, so if there’s one that you’re super stoked on, don’t worry if it’s ‘VT100-like’ or not!

Between your kick-off 50k and Vermont 100 race day, you’ll want to do a 50 mile race (or potentially a 100km, for the 100 mile runners). This is one of the most important runs of your build-up, so treat it as such. Test out as many aspects of your VT100 race strategy as you can – follow your planned fueling and hydration, wear the shoes and hydration pack you’ll be using, and test out different ‘cooling down’ methods. This is your dry-run for the Vermont 100, and you want to learn from it! This race should be scheduled between 5 and 10 weeks out from race day, so that means early-May to mid-June. Again, you’ll benefit from finding a course that is similar to the Vermont 100, but I also believe it’s important to do races that inspire you!

Pro-VT100 tip: if you run a 50 miler similar to the Vermont 100 course, you can reasonably expect that your VT100 finish will be 2.5 times longer than your 50 mile time. Use that info to properly pace in the early (downhill) miles of the VT100 course.

Selfish tip: I direct a race called the Chesterfield Gorge Ultra, which was specifically started to act as a ‘last chance VT100 qualifier’ for runners.  The race is on June 1-2nd, in West Chesterfield MA, and has options for a 50k, 50 mile, 100k or 100 mile race.

For those who want another race to add to their calendar, you can throw in a 3rd build-up ultra between these other two races. Since this is sandwiched between the 50k and 50 mile/100k efforts, you can opt for either distance. I’d also advise that if you do this, that you consider doing your first 50k in mid-March and do your last 50 mile/100k effort in early June. When making the decision of whether to do a 3rd tune-up race, it pays to know your body. Consider if you’re someone who thrives on having a bit more practice and mileage in their legs to prepare, or if you’re better suited to approach Vermont feeling refreshed and almost antsy to go.

Regardless of what you decide, there are no right or wrong answers to how your racing schedule should look – it’s as individual as you are! Luckily, there are plenty of amazing races to choose from – so find some that inspire you, suit your style, or fit your busy schedule and have fun! Respect that racing is only one aspect of your preparation to achieve your goals at the Vermont 100, but it’s an important one! I hope you all come to Silver Hill ready to enjoy 100k or 100 miles of adventure through the rolling hills of Vermont!

-Amy

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2023 Vermont 100 Cancelled

2023 Vermont 100 Cancelled

After this week’s devastating weather in Vermont, here is a difficult update from our wonderful Race Director Amy Rusiecki and the Vermont 100 Race Committee. The below message was also communicated in email to all participants.

Shared 7/11/23

“It breaks my heart to write this, but due to the devastating flooding that hit the race course yesterday and the lasting damage due to this weather event, the race committee has reached the unfortunate decision that this year’s event must be canceled. The second worst thing a race committee wants to do is cancel an incredible event. However, the worst thing a race committee wants to do is to conduct an unsafe race for the runners, volunteers, and communities. Our highest priority is the safety of every runner, volunteer, trail, and road that this event impacts.

To understand the current situation in the area of the event – Vermont is still under a State of Emergency, and it is currently declared a Federal Disaster area (https://www.fema.gov/locations/vermont). Woodstock Vermont had devastating flooding, including Lincoln Covered Bridge (approx. mile 39 of the course) which is currently covered in a foot of mud from flooding. The Taftsville Bridge (approx. mile 14) is also currently closed and yesterday was under feet of water. The roads by Margaritaville (approx. mile 59) have been washed out and are impassible to runners or vehicles. Many of the east-west routes in Vermont are currently closed with washouts, including Rt. 131 and Rt. 106, which cuts off our access to restocking aid stations, marking the route, crew vehicle access, and even your access to get to the start/finish area. Lastly, emergency services in all these communities are straight out and are unable to support our event at this time.  We have included a few photos of the route below, so y’all understand the impact of this weather.

We know that some of you may not agree with our decision, but we hope that you can understand our reasoning. Please understand this is not a decision that came easy, as we are all committed to putting on an awesome event for each of you.

So, what options did we as a race committee consider?

Trying to reschedule the event within a few weeks is logistically impossible and beyond a few weeks we run into the VT50 and numerous other incredible local fall events. Turning the event into an entirely virtual event is not very appealing – that’s just not the VT100! As stated in our Liability Waiver, that you signed when you registered, entry fees are non-refundable if the event is canceled due to public safety concerns, which is the situation that we have unfortunately encountered. We sincerely apologize for this.

While we aren’t strongly encouraging folks to come to the area during this time of disaster, we understand that some with non-refundable travel and lodging may choose to do so. We are working on information regarding local opportunities to contribute to the clean-up efforts.  If you are interested in this, please let us know here and we will follow up with you regarding where and when you can pitch in!

Financially, much of the expenses of this event have been spent at this time and are non refundable to us and we are sincerely sorry for that. Please know that the Friday night, Saturday morning, and Sunday post-race food (which has already been purchased and prepped) will be used to host community dinners this weekend for local residents who have been displaced by the flooding and who have lost their homes in this event. The aid station food will be donated to local food shelters and survival centers. If you are in the area, there are opportunities to help with serving food to those displaced, or to get our aid station food to local food shelters. You can sign up here.

At this time, you have three options regarding your registration:

  1. We are offering to roll the VT100  registration from anyone who is interested into this year’s Vermont 50 on September 24, 2023.
  2. We are able to defer entry into the 2024 VT100 for anyone who is interested, however entry fees unfortunately will not be able to be rolled over. We will offer a 25% discount to next year’s entry for anyone who takes this option. We regret that we can not offer a deeper discount to those who roll into the 2024 event, however due to this natural disaster this is the best we can offer in the way of partial entry fee deferral.
  3. You can donate your entry fee to the communities impacted by this disaster and Vermont Adaptive.

Please let us know which option you select by August 1st at this link here. If we don’t hear from you by August 1st, we will assume that you have chosen to have your entry fee donated to the local communities impacted by this disaster and Vermont Adaptive.

.On a personal note, I understand that this is heartbreaking to hear.  Trust me, this is equally devastating to share.  I know that many of you have trained for months and years to have your opportunity to run at this incredible event.  I get it, and I am nearly as upset as you are about this decision.  My favorite day of the year is the 15+ hours I spend greeting each of you across the finish line – and I am completely devastated that I will miss that in 2023.

I hope to see many of you in 2024, at this year’s VT50, or otherwise out on the trails.

With huge (sometimes sweaty) hugs,

Amy and the VT100 Race Committee

A Few Area Photos

 

Grasshopper Lane/Puckerbrush ~Mile 62 Reading, VT - Washed out Road
Grasshopper Lane/Puckerbrush ~Mile 62 Reading, VT – Washed out Road
River Road ~ Mile 15 in Woodstock, VT (note the course marking on a tree, typ. 4 feet from the ground)
River Road ~ Mile 15 in Woodstock, VT (note the course marking on a tree, typ. 4 feet from the ground)
Complete washout on the bottom of Agony Hill Mile 48, Reading, VT
Complete washout on the bottom of Agony Hill Mile 48, Reading, VT
Yesterday’s flooding at Taftsville Bridge crossing (mile 14), Woodstock VT
Yesterday’s flooding at Taftsville Bridge crossing (mile 14), Woodstock VT
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Vermont 100 Weather Update (7/11/23)

Vermont 100 Weather Update (7/11/23)

We of course hoped yesterday’s weather wouldn’t amount to what it has, so here is an update for everyone from our RD, who has understandably been fielding lots of questions. The below message was also communicated in email to all participants.

Shared 7/10/23

“Vermont is currently under a state of emergency due to extreme rain. I saw a photo of one stretch of our course that is currently under feet of water. My heart goes out to the families and businesses which have been flooded due to this incredible rainfall.

What are we doing as a race committee?

First, we are closely monitoring the situation. We will know more about how this rain has impacted our event in another 24 hours – so please give us the time to assess the situation. We have committee members out checking the trail and road conditions – and will continue to check throughout tomorrow and Wednesday.

So, what does this really mean for the race?

We’re doing everything we can to try to put on the Vermont 100 this weekend, if at all possible. We are exploring several contingencies that may alter the event (route, logistics, aid), and will know more. I promise, we will let you know as soon as decisions are made – so please give us time to explore what those answers will be.

What does this mean for you, as a runner?

It means that some of the logistics of the race may change. The route might be different. There may be a few aid stations that are no longer available (and therefore you may need to go longer without aid). Some of the crew stations may be inaccessible for crews. In short, things might look very different this year…but we’re doing the best we can. When we know more and decisions have been made – we will let you know.

What can you do right now to prepare?

If I were running this year, and preparing for all scenarios, I would ensure I have options to carry water and fueling for longer distances than those prescribed on the current aid station charts (i.e. pack a hydration pack just in case!). I would also bring gear and bags in case I need to send drop bags to aid stations that are no longer accessible by crews. In short, I would come prepared to be agile to a few different possible conditions.

I would also send some thoughts and prayers for the communities that we run through, and the homeowners and businesses that have been impacted by this weather event.

In closing, I will do my best to send out an email tomorrow night with further information and updates. When I know more and decisions are made, we WILL let you know.

For now, stay safe out there!”

All For Now

Thank you for reading and respect the process during this difficult time.

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July 6, 2022 – VT100 Race Updates

July 6, 2022 – VT100 Race Updates

Emailed to Participants: July 6, 2022

Runners – 10 days from now, each of you will be starting your epic journey through Vermont. With the race so close, there’s a lot of last-minute info and reminders to share … so please read this through, pass info along to your crew and pacers, and reach out with questions.

1. Runner Handbook & Aid Stations

The Runner Handbook and Aid Station charts (100k, 100 mile) have been updated for this year’s event. Please download a copy of the handbook to your phone, and share with your crew and pacers. This covers the Runner Rules, Pacer Rules, and Crew Rules, Driving Directions, and the Race Schedule. Please read this!!! Even if you have completed the race in the past – some things are new this year.

2. Driving to Silver Hill

Click here for Driving Directions to Silver Hill. There are certain roads near our race site that are closed to race traffic. They have ‘Local Traffic Only’ signs on them. However, we ask that everyone follow the directions to Silver Hill provided in the link above. Our future race permits depends on everyone complying!

  • Driving to Aid Stations – Directions to the aid stations are in the Runner Handbook. Follow these directions. Most GPSs don’t know the difference between Class 4 roads (often impassible by vehicles) and passable roads!

3. Pre-Race Meeting

Since we won’t have an in-person pre-race meeting, Race Director Amy Rusiecki is doing a live video chat on Sunday July 10th at 5pm EST (link to be shared soon).  She’ll go over race details (such as ‘how to run with horses’), followed by a Q&A session. For those who can’t attend, we will make the video available afterwards (likely to be emailed to you).

4. Start List and Solo vs. Crewed

Here are the links to the start lists for the 100k and 100 mile. Bib #s will be assigned this weekend. If you have unresolved qualifiers or volunteer info, let’s get that resolved ASAP!  Also, we know that some of you want to change your status from solo/crewed status – to do so, send an email to the race registrar Astrid (vt100registrar@gmail.com). Reminder that solo runners have no pacer and no crew.

5. Camping

Some folks have asked about camping or how to reserve a spot. Here’s the deal – we allow folks to set up tents in the designated camping field. There are no designated spots, you simply find a few blades of grass and set up. No need to let us know either way whether you’re camping or not – we don’t track it.

  • No RVs! Reminder that while you can sleep in your car, you’re not allowed to have anything larger than a standard vehicle. We don’t have the room to park these, and the parking lots get pretty mucky by Sunday so RVs or heavy vehicles may get stuck.

6. Merchandise

The 2022 race merchandise is available online now! We’ll have this at Silver Hill also, but you’re welcome to pre-order and we’ll have your gear ready for pick-up on Friday (July 15th) during registration.

7. Pacer Registration

Due to the COVID vaccination requirement, we’re trying something new this year with pacer registration. Early next week, we’ll share a link for pacers to sign up and complete all their paperwork online. There will be an option for them to complete this registration in-person if necessary also.

8. COVID Waiver

All of you have been emailed a link from RunReg to acknowledge/certify compliance with the VT100’s COVID vaccination requirement. A reminder email was sent earlier today from RunReg to those who have not yet completed this waiver. Unfortunately, we can not allow runners who have not completed this form to attend the event.

9. Course Changes

For those who haven’t run the course before, this might not make sense … but for those returning runners, here’s a few of the minor course changes this year.

  • Lincoln Covered Bridge – The bridge is open again, so no river crossing. The aid station will be back to its original location, just after the bridge. (Anyone who wants to follow the horse route and go through the water is welcome to do so…).
  • Lillian’s – In 2019, we added in a minor trail extension that had 100 milers approaching Lillian’s from a different direction – we are not doing that this year. We’ve added a bit of trail to the route just before the aid station, but the station will be in the 2018 location at the Rt. 106 pull-off again.
  • Keating’s – The aid station has moved to about 1 mile further down the trail.
    Polly’s – the aid station has moved again. This year, it will be about ¼ mile before the 2018 and prior Polly’s location – at the home of the VT100 founder, Laura Farrell!

10. Course Intel

For those who haven’t run the VT100 before … the biggest thing to know is about the Camp 10 Bear loop.

  • You enter that aid station twice, and each time you take a right when leaving the aid station to continue on. If you don’t know, ask a volunteer which direction you should be going … as every year we have one runner who either skips the Camp 10 Bear loop entirely, or runs it twice … so pay attention and rely on volunteers to help.
  • Also, know that the 1/3 mile when you leave Camp 10 Bear #1 is also the last 1/3 mile before you return to Camp 10 Bear #2.  This means many runners may see participants running in the opposite direction in this short stretch.  Don’t freak out – cheer them on!

11. We Are Pumped

Speaking for the race committee, we are so excited to welcome each of you to this year’s Vermont 100 … and to support you on your journey. And it’s nearly here!!! As always, reach out with questions. We look forward to seeing you at Silver Hill on Friday July 15th!

-Amy & the VT100 Race Committee

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Zeke’s Tips for a Great VT100

Zeke’s Tips for a Great VT100

If you’re normal, you’re beginning to get a little nervous, you’re wondering what you should be doing from now until VT100 race day, and you’re afraid that you haven’t done enough training.

What I’m about to impart is basically aimed at first-timers, though seasoned veterans may catch a new point or two, and a refresher can’t do any harm.

DROP BAGS

Make your drop bags ahead of time and don’t cram them full of everything you own. A small backpack or gear bag about 9” by 9” by 16” is sufficient. The bottom line is to keep it simple, with the basic items you might need during the race, so that you can find them quickly.VT100 Drop Bag Example

  • extra shirt
  • extra shoes, maybe a pair at about 30 miles, and another at 40 to 50, just in case
  • Gels, electrolyte supplements,
  • change of shirt
  • light jacket or long-sleeved top for the cooler nighttime running
  • some band-aids,
  • Tums or other antacid
  • changes of socks
  • Head lamp and small handheld LED flashlight, with extra batteries and at least one other headlamp at a later night station.  PUT NEW BATTERIES IN ALL OF THEM.

AID STATIONS

Study the aid station mileage chart and figure out approximately when you’ll be visiting them. For example, if I’m anticipating completing the 100 in 28 hours, that’s 28 x 60 min./hr. divided by 100 miles = 16.8 min. per VT100 Windy Roadmile. For the Pretty House aid station at mile 21.1, multiply 16.8 min. x 21.1 mi. = 354 min. divided by 60 min./hr. = 5.91 hrs. or 5:54. Since the race starts at 4:00 a.m., you’ll get to Pretty House at about 9:54 a.m. You can do the same for any aid station, and I suggest especially for those you’ll be reaching in the evening, in order to figure where to place your night gear so that you have it at least a half hour before the sun sets at 8:25pm. When I have a crew, I make a table of expected arrival time at aid stations where they’ll be meeting me, based on a range of finish times. I might choose 26 hrs., 28 hrs. & 30 hrs. I’d do the first one for Pretty House, since that’s the first place that my crew can meet me. If I arrive at 9:45, we can all see that I’m just a bit ahead of a 28 hour finish pace, so they should plan on meeting me at Stage Road, the next Handler Station, about 20 minutes earlier than what the sheet says for 28 hour pace. As the day goes on, you and they can develop a good feel for what kind of pace you’re maintaining.

CAPS

I don’t know about you, but I prefer to wear a light breathable cap to keep the sun out of my eyes, and also to soak with cold water, and even ice cubes if it’s hot. If not a cap, then sunglasses, but you’ll just have to soak your bare head. For me, glasses just fog up, so I don’t wear them.

HYDRATING

Plan on drinking regularly, by carrying water or a favorite energy drink in a backpack style carrier or in a water bottle in a belt unit. If you don’t carry any liquid you’re not going to be able to keep hydrating the entire time, and in a couple of instances you’ll be going without liquid for 5 miles, which is way too long to be without it, even if the weather happens to be cool. I’m trusting that you carried liquid during your training runs, so that you’re used to drinking on the fly. On the flipside, don’t over hydrate, because if you drink just plain water, and too much of it, you’ll flush most of the sodium out of your system.

RUNNING VS. WALKING

Run until that gets to be too hard, then walk until that gets to be too easy. As silly as this sounds, there’s wisdom to this method. Previously I talked about the hills. Many of them go up, and just as many go down. Plan on walking anything more than a gentle uphill, and plan on running anything that goes down. Early on modest uphills may seem like a piece of cake, but a dozen hours into the race, they’ll seem to be steeper and more difficult. Walk the uphills, but do it with meaning. It’s not just a slow Sunday stroll, but you’re attending to business. Just before you get to the top of the hill, switch into an easy jog, and then start running just after you get over the top. 5K, 10K, Half & Marathon runners consider that walking in a race amounts to failure. In a 100 it’s smart business, and the best way to prevent failure.

BONKING

In the process of walking, jogging and running 100 miles you are going to be on an energy roller coaster. That’s to say that at some points you can expect to feel really tired and down. When these lows happen, and I predict that they will, don’t get discouraged, but slow down, relax and you’ll work your way through them. Sometimes all it requires is some more hydration or ingesting an energy gel, blok or drink, and a brief break from running. Keep in mind that walking is quite OK, and a person moving at a brisk walking pace the entire way can probably finish a 100 in less than 30 hours.  On the flip side of the coin, there can, and most likely will, be times when you feel quite good and experience highs. These are great, but don’t get greedy. Savor these ‘gifts’, and don’t shift into a fast high gear. Keep moving along at a slightly faster pace and enjoy the feeling of well being.

TREAT YOUR CREW/PACER RIGHT

If you have a support person or crew, please keep in mind that he/she/they are giving up the better part of a day just to assist you in this somewhat unusual effort. As such, remember to treat them very well, because they are providing very valuable assistance. Unfortunately I’ve observed 100 mile runners yelling at, or otherwise mistreating those who are supporting them. When I’ve been in the midst of a low, I can get to be irritable, but I’ve NEVER taken it out on my crew. I’m basically mad at the world, or something that’s not going well, but I value my crew far too much to abuse them. Keep in mind too, that it’s accepted practice to reward any members of your ‘supporting cast’ with a gift, either just before or sometime after the run. If they’re coming from a longer distance, you should consider paying for their gas or their airfare.

HEAT

It can, and may, get hot during the day Saturday. I’d say on average that it gets at least up into the 70’s or low 80’s, and sometimes into the 90’s. In 1999, the year BEFORE I first ran Vermont, it was 97 on Saturday and 98 on Sunday. Those ended up being the two hottest days of that year. Just rotten luck for the runners. You should start checking the forecast for Windsor Vermont the week prior (see our blog side bar too!), keeping in mind that anything more than 4 days before shouldn’t be considered gospel. You will, however, be able to see trends, and should pay special attention if it looks like it’s going to be hot. If so, you need to modify your intended pace and estimated finishing time. It’s one thing to bull your way through a 5K on a hot day, but that just won’t work for a 100. One way I’ve found to keep cool is to wear a neckerchief, and keep soaking it with cold water at each aid station. If you have a crew, make certain that they’re carrying a cooler with ice. I put a wet washcloth in a Ziploc bag, and have them keep it in the cooler right down in the ice cubes. When you’re hot and sweaty, washing you head and neck with that cloth provides glorious relief.

RUNNING WITH THE HORSES

Before my first time of doing so, I was afraid that they were going to spoil my race. In the contrary, they VT100 Horsesprovided some distraction and made the event that much more special.Will they run over you? The answer is no. On the contrary, they want to slow down to your pace, though their riders may not like it.Horses love people and really ‘respect’ humans who run. (In most instances their owners don’t run) On running with horses, there’s one simple word to keep in mind: Communicate. When a horse can’t see you (i.e. you coming up from behind or at night), it doesn’t know you’re a person until you say something. Then, the steed immediately calms down. This is doubly important after dark, when the horse senses your presence well before the rider does. Regardless of the time of day, start chatting with the rider as soon as you’re within voice range. You’ll find that the riders are most friendly, and basically in awe of you because you’re doing 100 miles ON FOOT! If they want to pass you on the road, they’ll say so. If you want to pass them, usually on a trail section where they’re moving slowly and carefully, converse with the rider and ask if you can pass. They’ll tell you when you can do so

LIGHTING THE TRAIL 

I suggest that you plan on carrying a small, disposable flashlight for the first hour, which will be in the dark, VT100 Light!and includes some trail miles. It’s a small price to pay to ensure that you don’t trip early and mess up the whole race. Trying to ‘parasite’ off of others’ lights is inviting trouble. If you wear a headlamp, and plan on keeping it, keep in mind that the first place you can stash it isn’t until Pretty House at 21.1 miles.

THE WEEK BEFORE

You’re not going to get any better or stronger, so concentrate on just staying loose and resting up. You can do some easy miles, but don’t plan on anything aggressive. Just as with the Marathon, you’ll find your energy stores improving in the days prior, and you must be careful not to go cleaning the attic or piling cords of wood. Do some regular stretching, and enjoy resting because you, and your body, have earned it.

THE DAY BEFORE

Friday is check-in day, so you’ll most likely be spending some time at the Silver Hill Start & Finish area.

  • bib pickup
  • runner expo
  • great pre-race meal right there under the big-top tent,
  • time to enjoy meeting other first-timers and veterans.

Of course, you may want to stick with your own meal, and not want to socialize, which is totally up to you. Personally, I feel that the camaraderie is one of the most important special features of a 100, and an opportunity to meet wonderful people who generally don’t take themselves too seriously.

THE NIGHT BEFORE

Lay out your running attire and peripherals now, so that you’re not trying to make decisions in the morning. VT100 Silver Hill CampingPin your bib on now, because that’s one of the most nerve-racking tasks if you wait until the morning just before you run. I suggest on your shorts, rather than your shirt, because you’re less likely to be changing shorts, and may be wearing a second layer on top when and if it gets cool. You may not sleep well, or much at all or for many hours (The 4:00 a.m. start means getting up rather early, the 100k start at 9am can seem early to some), but do your best to relax and remember that it’s the rest you got on Wednesday and Thursday nights that’s much more important. Even if you hardly sleep (that happened to me one time), just relax and know that your body is getting rest from the fact that you’re reclining.

THE MORNING BEFORE

Do get up early enough so that you’re not rushed in your preparations. There’s the basic shower and other bathroom stuff, of course. Treat your feet as you’re accustomed. Use Body Glide, or such on the rubbing locations, and take at least one electrolyte caplet if you use them. Make certain that you have your water topped off, and are carrying your gels or Bloks, etc..

I envy you if this is your first 100, because it’s a very special ‘first’, and mine was one of my most memorable experiences.

Have a Great Run!

Zeke

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June 15, 2022 – VT100 Race Updates

June 15, 2022 – VT100 Race Updates

Emailed to Participants: June 15, 2022

One month from today, we’ll be gathering on Silver Hill…ready to set off for your 100k or 100 mile journey. Did anyone else just get nervous hearing that?!?  So exciting!

Alright, since we’re getting down to crunch time, you’ll be getting some updates from us on all sort of things…as things are falling into place.  Please check out this entire [blog post], and reach out with questions.

I’ll start with pointing you towards the start lists (100k start list100 mile start list), which show volunteer and qualifier confirmation, as well as crewed vs. solo status. Please read below for more info, and reach out if there’s an issue that’s not addressed below.

1. Volunteer Requirement

Reminder that you should have submitted your form to report you completed your volunteer requirement by today (6/15/22). More info on the volunteer requirement (including the dates ranges for the 8-hour volunteering) is listed on the race website here.  The form to submit your information is here.

*Note that we are behind with confirming submissions for volunteer requirements – if you submitted your form within the last few weeks, it’s possible we didn’t get to you yet (and we appreciate your patience!).

2. Qualifier Requirement

If you’re a 100 mile runner, reminder that you should have submitted your form to report you completed your qualifier (and it was due a few weeks ago!). More info on the qualification requirements is listed on the race website here. The form to submit your qualifier is here.

*Note that we are up to date with confirming qualifiers submitted at this time.  If you aren’t shown as submitting your qualifier, then either you didn’t submit it after registering this year or it fell through the cracks.  Either way, please submit the form so we can get you confirmed!

3. COVID/Vaccination Requirement

We uploaded a waiver into the registration system that every runner must complete to confirm that you are aware of the vaccination requirement and that you (and anyone you bring with you to the event) is in compliance with the race’s vaccination policy. You should have received an email from the registration system to complete this waiver.  No one will be allowed on-site or at aid stations without completing this form.

4. Volunteers

We need more volunteers at this year’s race! Due to COVID, we are struggling to get enough volunteers to support each of you (and this is pretty common these days!). We ask that each of you reach out to your friends, family, teammates, or anyone who might be willing to help make this year’s VT100 a success. (Specifically, if someone is traveling to support you but can help out for a few hours, that would be AMAZING!) Here’s the link to sign-up for volunteering.

5. COVID Changes

There will be a few changes to this year’s event due to COVID.  We’re still working them out, but I wanted to let y’all know about a few of them in case they change your plans.

  • Friday pre-race briefing – we’ll do a virtual pre-race briefing instead of a large Friday briefing.  More details (and link to watch/join) will be sent out when we know more.
  • Friday pre-race dinner – rather than a large sit-down dinner, we’re instead offering dinner from 3-6:30pm that folks can either sit and eat or take with them.  Menu will be similar to past years, and to-go containers will be available.
  • Sunday awards – we’ll be giving folks their hard-earned awards upon crossing the finish line rather than at one large awards ceremony.  Sorry that it means that each finish won’t have their name called and be celebrated among their peers…but I’ll be there to give you a sweaty hug and hope that’s almost as valuable?!?
  • Sunday post-race meal – like with Friday night dinner, we’re not doing the large Sunday BBQ.  Instead, you’ll be offered a meal when you finish your race (or when you make it back to Silver Hill).  The menu will change throughout the night/overnight/morning accordingly.

6. Course Changes

There are a few minor changes to the course this year, and these might only make sense to those of you who have run the VT100 a few times.  We will compile all the changes and get those out to folks in the next email.

7. Runner Handbook

The 2019 Runner Handbook is posted online currently, and can be used as guidance for the event rules, including crew and pacer rules.  We will update the handbook and post the 2022 Runner Handbook by July 5th, which will include new crew driving directions.

8. We’re stoked!

We can’t wait to see you all at Silver Hill, so please reach out if you have any questions, and know that we’re working hard to make this an awesome event – worthy of waiting many years for!

Happy trails!

-Amy and the VT100 Race Committee

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2022 Vermont 100 COVID Vaccination Policy

2022 Vermont 100 COVID Vaccination Policy

Last Updated: February 10, 2022

Policy

The Vermont 100 Race Committee has decided to mandate COVID vaccinations at the 2022 Vermont 100 event for all participants.

This means that every runner, rider, volunteer, pacer, spectator, and crew member must be fully vaccinated for COVID in order to be at this year’s event (including access to the start/finish area, aid stations, and crew stops).

Fully Vaccinated Definition

The definition of COVID vaccination means the individual must have received 2 standard vaccine doses (1 dose if Johnson & Johnson vaccination) and a booster dose (if eligible). Being booster eligible is 2 months after the J&J vaccine but 5 months after the other vaccinations.

Policy Explanation

The Vermont 100 course relies on over 60 private landowners giving us permission to use their property for the race. The start/finish area, camping field, registration area, numerous aid stations, and 70-miles of our course are all on private land. The event also passes through 9 small Vermont communities, while introducing participants from across the country (and even internationally) to their local stores, land, gas stations, restaurants, and accommodations. Out of an abundance of caution for these landowners and communities, the VT100 Race Committee voted to institute the vaccination requirement so that we are able to host the race this summer.

Moving Forward

We understand that this announcement may be disconcerting to some participants, and we apologize to those who are upset by the vaccination requirement.

We are working through the details of how we will confirm vaccination status for all participants and will communicate when we know more. We hope that this gives sufficient notice for compliance to unvaccinated runners who are currently on the start list.

Race Withdrawal

Because this announcement comes after registration has been completed, we are offering a one-time opportunity for runners who are unable/unwilling to comply to withdraw from the 2022 race and receive a refund of their entry fee. This opportunity is only available through February 23, 2022, and runners can request this option here.

Thank You

We hope that everyone understands that the safety of the landowners, communities, and participants is paramount. Happy and safe running everyone – see you at Silver Hill in July!

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2022 Vermont 100 Race Registration Process

2022 Vermont 100 Race Registration Process

Last Updated: December 10, 2021


The 2022 edition of the Vermont 100 Endurance Race is fast on its way (fingers crossed!). Here’s
 an update on registration for the upcoming event.

2020 Registered Runners (on the 2020 start list at the time of race cancellation):

As promised to 2020 registered runners (100k and 100m), you have the option to roll your registration into the 2022 or 2023 VT100 (or otherwise forgo your spot). Go here to check your status on the 2020 start list. If you are on the start list:

  • You will have between December 15-20, 2021 to sign up for the 2022 VT100.
  • You will receive an email about how re-register for the 2022 VT100 on December 14, 2021.
  • If you do not claim your 2022 spot by Dec. 20, 2021, you will receive another email with an invitation to re-register for the 2023 Vermont 100.
  • If you do not claim your spot for either event, it will go the next runner in line on the waitlist.

NOTE: Those on the start list have the option to *register for either race (100m or 100k). That’s right … for one time only, regardless of which 2020 start list you were on, if you want to run the 100-miler then sign up for the 100-miler, and if you want to run the 100k then sign up for the 100k! (*Those who were registered for the 2020 Vermont 100k and sign up for the 2022 Vermont 100 mile will be charged the difference in registration fees for the two distances, currently $50.)

2020 Waitlisted Runners (on the 2020 waitlist at the time of race cancellation):

Runners who were on the 2020 waitlist will have the option to re-register and re-claim their place/ranking on the 2022 VT100 waitlist. Go here to check your status on the 2020 waitlist. If you are on the waitlist:

  • You will receive an email on December 21, 2021 with details about how to re-register.
  • You will have between December 22-26, 2021 to re-register and re-claim your spot.
  • If you do not re-claim your spot by December 26, 2021, you are forfeiting your spot on the VT100 waitlist.
  • If you re-claim your waitlist spot, you will be given the same position you were in at the time of race cancellation.
  • You must re-claim your spot within the same distance you were on the waitlist for in 2020.
  • We will hold a small lottery on January 15, 2022 for all runners who are currently on the waitlist for a limited number of spots in the 2022 event. More details will be available as we get closer to this date.

NOTE: Unfortunately, we are not offering to roll over waitlist spots into the 2023 event, nor are we allowing flexibility to adjust the distance you are on the waitlist for.

2020 Team Run 2 Empower (on TR2E at the time of race cancelation):

As always, Vermont 100 welcomes runners who commit to fundraising for Vermont Adaptive and sets aside several spots in the event for these runners. There are limited spots on the Team, as most of the 2020 Team Run 2 Empower has rolled their registration into the 2022 VT100. However, applications are being accepted until the spots are taken – more information is available here.

Those on the 2020 Team Run 2 Empower have a separate process to reclaim their spots for the 2022 or 2023 event and can reach out to the Race Director directly if they have not already done so. Go here to check your status on the 2020 Team Run 2 Empower.

A Note for ALL 2020 Registrants (Start List, Waitlist, Team Run 2 Empower):

An email was sent to all runners signed up for the 2020 Vermont 100 (including the start list, waitlist, and Team Run 2 Empower) on December 9th. If you did not receive this email and believe you should have, please first check your spam/junk/promotions folders. Then, refer to the posted 2020 registered runner list, to ensure that you were on it. Lastly, reach out to the RD if you aren’t on the 2020 registered runner list and believe you should be or didn’t receive the email and we need to update your email in our system. Thank you.

Other 2022 VT100 Entries:

On January 1, 2022, registration will open for anyone who wishes to join the waitlist and was not signed up for the 2020 event. You will be placed at the bottom of the waitlist (below 2020 wait-listed runners) on a first-come-first-served basis.

On January 15, 2022, we will hold a small lottery for all runners who are currently on the waitlist for a limited number of spots in the event. More details will be available as we get closer to this date.

Other Critical Information

  • Please see our Race Entry Page.
  • All 100-mile runners must meet the qualifier requirements, described here.
  • All runners must meet the volunteer service requirements, described here.
  • Race’s refund policy is listed here (scroll to “Runner Withdrawal).
  • 2022 race dates are July 15-17, 2022

Reminder: Please See our Race Entry Page

All for Now

Good luck, thank you, and we appreciate continued your patience as we work through these crazy and unprecedented times. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Silver Hill this summer for the 2022 Vermont 100 Endurance Race.

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2021 Vermont 100 – Cancellation Notice

2021 Vermont 100 – Cancellation Notice

From the Race Director – Updated 4/28/21

It’s with a heavy heart that the Vermont 100 Endurance Race committee voted last week to officially cancel the 2021 Vermont 100 due to COVID-19. This was an emotional decision and not one that was taken lightly or decided easily.

The race committee considered the health and safety of all runners, riders, volunteers, community members, and vendors at the forefront of the discussion.  We did look at many alternatives, including the route, timing of events, and alteration of the services provided, to consider if there was a feasible alternative.  However, we jointly were not able to find a way to provide anything close to the true Vermont 100 experience and felt like continuing with a stripped-down, much smaller, and incredibly altered version of the event was not the experience that we wanted for the participants, volunteers, or community members.  As said before, this was not an easy decision and ultimately was extremely emotional for all.

We truly look forward to 2022, when we are committed to providing the magical celebration and amazing atmosphere that is Vermont 100 and hope to see each of you there!

We acknowledge that the current situation is very fluid, making day-to-day and month-to-month planning difficult for everyone. We felt it was important to share this information with everyone involved as quickly as possible so you each can adjust plans accordingly.  We are now working on many of the unknowns (and questions) that you will have, and ask for your patience and understanding as we shift our focus to that.

Details we can share right now

  • 2021 Start List
    We plan to roll the 2020 start list over into the 2022 Vermont 100. If you do not want to remain on the start list for next year’s event, you can request removal from the start list using this form (https://forms.gle/8wrAVeigTRtRKWwU7).
  • 2021 Waitlist
    We plan to roll the 2020 waitlist over into the 2021 Vermont 100. We WILL NOT pull anyone off the waitlist and into the event until a later date (likely next fall/winter). If you do not want to remain on the waitlist for next year’s event, you can request removal from the waitlist using this form (https://forms.gle/8wrAVeigTRtRKWwU7)
  • Race Qualifiers / Volunteer Requirements
    We have not made any decisions regarding any adjustments to the volunteer and qualifier requirements for next year’s race (given this year’s race cancellation). We will communicate when we know more.
  • 2022 Race Date
    TBD

Further details coming soon

As we find time in the coming weeks to work out the finer details regarding this cancellation, we will release more information. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and support through these uncertain times.

Virtual Run (#myVT100)

There are a few options for anyone who wishes to still celebrate VT100, support Vermont Adaptive, or both!

  • For folks who want to celebrate VT100 in their own way: We will be again challenging folks to choose their own adventure regarding how they celebrate what is meaningful for them, and share their story, photos, inspiration via #myVT100.  (This will run for the entire month of July.)
  • For folks who want to celebrate VT100 while also supporting Vermont Adaptive: Again, folks who participate in #myVT100 and fundraise for Vermont Adaptive will be awarded some VT100 goodies. More details on this will be coming soon.
  • For folks who simply want to fundraise for Vermont Adaptive: You’re encouraged to check out the Vermont Adaptive Charity Challenge. More information is available here (charityride.vermontadaptive.org).

The impact on Vermont Adaptive & Local Businesses

I want to take a moment to acknowledge that while I’m bummed to not see you all this summer, the race cancellation will also have a significant impact on others – notably, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, as well as the area businesses of West Windsor. And for the 2nd year in a row!

This race is annually one of the largest fundraisers for Vermont Adaptive. Their mission, providing the opportunity for athletes of all abilities to enjoy activities and challenge themselves through sports, is one that we can all agree is important right now. I know how much running has become my sanity through COVID-19; and I know that without Vermont Adaptive, countless folks don’t have the option to go out and run or otherwise work out their anxiety through sports.

Further, our event is one of the largest sources of income for many various West Windsor businesses, which will struggle financially with the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 VT100 (among other events, such as the 2020 VT50 that also supports these businesses).

As such, I know some runners may wish to donate some or all of their 2020 entry fee towards Vermont Adaptive and/or towards supporting a local West Windsor business. If you wish to do this, you may make your donation using this form (https://forms.gle/Mons5SQKf11g4EVEA). And don’t worry, unless you choose to remove your name from the start list, your spot will still be carried over to the 2022 Vermont 100. If you wish to make a donation to Vermont Adaptive (and support me running 100 miles on my own this summer, again), you may also do so here (http://www.PledgeReg.com/288835).

Thank you and rock on

More than ever, we look forward to seeing you at Silver Hill for the 2022 Vermont 100! Until then, stay safe and be well!

–  Amy Rusiecki and the Vermont 100 Race Committee

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2021 Vermont 100 – COVID Updates

2021 Vermont 100 – COVID Updates

Updated: March 17, 2021 (scroll down)

Due to COVID, unknowns remain about the 2021 Vermont 100. This year’s event, and what it will look like, is still a moving target. COVID has already impacted our registration process and it very well may continue to impact our event in other ways. We simply do not have all the information at this time.

LATEST Updates

Each month — or as new information becomes available — the Vermont 100 Race Committee will use this space to communicate the latest COVID-related news, as we know it. 

POSTED: March 17, 2021

This update is for those who are either on the start list or on the waitlist for this year’s Vermont 100 — and it’s to say let’s hope things continue as they currently are… cause things are looking optimistic for July 2021!

Here is the latest from Race Director Amy Rusiecki:

  1. Start Lists and Waitlists: The 2021 start lists and waitlists for the 100-miler and 100k are posted. The waitlists were a bear and we did our best to get everyone in the order that they were for the 2020 waitlist (if they rolled over) and if not then added to the bottom in order of registration. These spreadsheets are the official order that we’ll pull folks from (NOT the order on the RunReg registration site)… so let us know if we made an error by emailing Amy.
  2. Waitlist Status: At this time, until we know what the gathering size for VT will be over the summer (i.e. how many runners we can accommodate at the event), we are not planning to pull anyone from the waitlist. So, folks on the waitlist — hang tight and don’t expect to be moved into the event over the next month until we know more.
  3. Event Status: Currently, Vermont’s restrictions for gathering/event sizes are 150 people. That makes us optimistic (but by no means able to guarantee) that we will be able to hold the event this summer. As mentioned earlier, the event may look different — including the course route, ability to have pacers/crews, and timing. We may need to utilize Friday, July 16, Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18 to spread out participants in order to maintain the gathering size. When we know more, you’ll know more… but please be as open-minded about what this year’s event might look like as you can… we’re working hard to put on an amazing event (including the beauty and heat of Vermont in the summer) as we can!
  4. Qualifiers and Volunteer Info: We haven’t updated who has submitted qualifier and volunteer info on our start list yet… but wanted to be sure everyone is clear on the qualifier (for 100-mile participants only) and volunteer (for both distances) requirements, which are listed here. The short story is that we extended the qualifying and volunteer window (as we know there wasn’t much opportunity for either over the last year), but are not allowing virtual events to be used as qualifiers.

Thank you! We hope you’re staying healthy and safe and training up for an awesome VT100 this summer! If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

— END UPDATE (03/17/21) —

POSTED: January 14, 2021

Folks, please understand that above all else, we are doing our best to safely host the 2021 Vermont 100. However, we remain beholden to state and local permits and regulations, which means that while we are going to make every reasonable effort, it is still possible that the 2021 Vermont 100 may be canceled, OR that this year’s event may have significant changes to the schedule, rules, course, or any other aspect, as necessary to ensure the safety of our participants, volunteers, and local community members. Here’s what we know at this point:

  • Re-Registration: If you were on the start list for our 2020 VT100, we sent you an email on January 6th with instructions and details on how you can re-register for the 2021 event or defer to 2022. Please check your junk and spam folders if you did not or do not see our email in your primary inbox. Your individual password is in that email and you must use it to re-register at runreg.com by the end of the day Saturday, January 16th. If you have lost or can’t find your password, email us at vermont100@vermontadaptive.org and we’ll send you a new one.
  • Re-Registration Deferral: If you were on the start list for our 2020 VT100 and choose not re-register, you will be automatically put on a list for us to reach out to prior to the 2022 event, as you can roll your 2020 registration into that race instead.
  • Waitlist and General Entry: We promise more details on waitlists and general entry to the 2021 VT100 will be coming in the weeks ahead. Stay patient and stay healthy! Thank you!
  • A Word of Caution for 2021 / Voluntary Withdrawals: We want to say this out loud so that participants have an appropriate level of expectation. If you aren’t willing to have a different VT100 experience this year – understanding that the rules may change, the course might look different, and the timing of the event weekend may be adjusted, then we recommend you consider rolling your registration into the 2022 event or trying to gain entry to the 2022 event (if you don’t already have a 2021 spot). If you aren’t sure whether you will be able to travel to Vermont in July due to travel restrictions (such as closed country borders), we recommend you consider rolling your registration over into the 2022 event. Even if you’ve re-registered in the last week, if you get cold feet, and/or change your mind — we are happy to remove you from the registration now (simply email me, Amy Rusiecki, at vermont100@vermontadaptive.org). We will accept voluntary withdrawals, to be rolled into the 2022 event, through January 31st. After that time, any participant who is registered and needs to withdraw will have given up their spot and need to enter the lottery for the 2022 event.
  • If We Cancel: If we do ultimately cancel the 2021 event, we will work with registered participants (as we did in 2020) to ensure a fair and equitable solution. We are hopeful this won’t happen.

Thank you for reading this and let’s hope that COVID numbers start to decline, that everyone stays safe and healthy and that we see many of you at Silver Hill this summer!

-Amy and the VT100 Race Committee

— END UPDATE (01/14/21) —

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2020 Vermont 100 – Cancellation Notice

2020 Vermont 100 – Cancellation Notice

From the Race Director – Updated 4/15/20

It’s with a heavy heart that the Vermont 100 Endurance Race committee voted last night (4/14/20) to officially cancel the 2020 Vermont 100 due to COVID-19. This was an emotional decision, but one we made with the health and safety of all runners, riders, volunteers, community members, and vendors at the forefront of the discussion.

We acknowledge that the current situation is very fluid, making day-to-day and month-to-month planning difficult for everyone.  We felt it was important to share this information with everyone involved as quickly as possible so you each can adjust plans accordingly.  We are now working on many of the unknowns (and questions) that you will have, and ask for your patience and understanding as we shift our focus to that.

Details we can share right now

  • 2020 Start List
    We plan to roll the 2020 start list over into the 2021 Vermont 100. If you do not want to remain on the start list for next year’s event, you can request removal from the start list using this form (https://forms.gle/8wrAVeigTRtRKWwU7).
  • 2020 Waitlist
    We plan to roll the 2020 waitlist over into the 2021 Vermont 100. We WILL NOT pull anyone off the waitlist and into the event until a later date (likely next fall/winter). If you do not want to remain on the waitlist for next year’s event, you can request removal from the waitlist using this form (https://forms.gle/8wrAVeigTRtRKWwU7)
  • Race Qualifiers / Volunteer Requirements
    We have not made any decisions regarding any adjustments to the volunteer and qualifier requirements for next year’s race (given this year’s race cancellation). We will communicate when we know more.
  • 2021 Race Date
    Please mark your calendars for July 16-18th, 2021

Further details coming soon

As we find time in the coming weeks to work out the finer details regarding this cancellation, we will release more information. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and support through these uncertain times.

The impact on Vermont Adaptive & Local Businesses

I want to take a moment to acknowledge that while I’m bummed to not see you all this summer, the race cancellation will also have a significant impact on others – notably, Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, as well as the area businesses of West Windsor.

This race is annually one of the largest fundraisers for Vermont Adaptive. Their mission, providing the opportunity for athletes of all abilities to enjoy activities and challenge themselves through sports, is one that we can all agree is important right now. I know how much running has become my sanity through COVID-19; and I know that without Vermont Adaptive, countless folks don’t have the option to go out and run or otherwise work out their anxiety through sports.

Further, our event is one of the largest sources of income for many various West Windsor businesses, which will struggle financially with the cancellation of the 2020 VT100.

As such, I know some runners may wish to donate some or all of their 2020 entry fee towards Vermont Adaptive and/or towards supporting a local West Windsor business. If you wish to do this, you may make your donation using this form (https://forms.gle/Mons5SQKf11g4EVEA). And don’t worry, unless you choose to remove your name from the start list, your spot will still be carried over to the 2021 Vermont 100 (July 16-18th, 2021).

Thank you and rock on

More than ever, we look forward to seeing you at Silver Hill for the 2021 Vermont 100! Until then, stay safe and be well!

–  Amy Rusiecki and the Vermont 100 Race Committee

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My Journey to 100 Miles – What Vermont 100 Means to Me

My Journey to 100 Miles – What Vermont 100 Means to Me

Justin Hetherington didn’t grow up feeling athletic. In a lot of ways, he felt like an outsider. That was, until he found running and ultra running — and through both, confidence, passion, and profound gratitude.

The 2020 Vermont 100 will be Justin’s first 100 mile ultra race and in this post, he tells us what brought him to “our” sport, what he appreciates about this community, and what he hopes to learn (and earn!) in July.

Justin, thank you for sharing what the Vermont 100 means to you! We can’t wait to cheer you on.

My Journey to 100 Miles – What Vermont 100 Means to Me

“Hello! My name is Justin Hetherington. It was only a short number of years ago that I got into running. Back then, by any definition (nutrition, exercise, mindset, you name it), I was not only a non-athlete but very unhealthy. Loved the #1 / Big Mac combo and had a dangerous desire for buffalo chicken calzones. Fast forward to this July 2020, and I will be participating in my first 100 mile race, the Vermont1 100…. what?!

Wild to think about but truly believe anyone is capable of completing a 100 mile foot race.

Growing up I was Steve Urkel (link opens new window) from the show Family Matters. I loved ironing my clothes, tucking my pants in, wore huge eyeglasses, and was severely asthmatic. Remember when you had to run the 1 mile in school? That was me who didn’t have to run it and instead passed out the popsicle sticks to each student as they each completed a track lap (4 sticks = 1 mile). Needless to say, I never thought of myself as an athlete nor had a desire to be one.

Now, in 2020, after many years of self-doubt and overcoming being overly self-conscious about a variety of things, I came to understand the difference between being athletic and being an athlete. Certain individuals are undoubtedly born with traits that define them as athletic but being an athlete is all about mindset. In any physical activity, if you mindfully prepare, execute, and recover, then you are an athlete. You do not need to look a certain way or have this certain smooth slickness like the athletes I grew up seeing on Nike television commercials or the jocks in high school. My competitive nature loves the saying that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

 

Justin with his Dead Horse finisher medal
Justin, selfie, with his Dead Horse finisher medal.

I am admittedly not steeped in the ultra running community as I ran my first 50k less than two years ago in April of 2018 and I didn’t immediately fall in love afterwards. However I did enjoy the experience and fellow runners I met which made me want to pursue this crazy sport further. As I went down this path by running a few 50k and 50m races it was clear why I love this sport, why I am pursuing my first 100 miler, and why it will forever be a part of my life.

Here are just a few reasons!

  1. It is unconventional – I have always viewed my life trajectory as unconventional being raised by a single mom with three siblings and moving homes quite often. The endurance running community has many (maybe even a majority) of athletes coming from especially non-linear / unconventional backgrounds and that makes me feel at home. Not that I don’t like you elite runners with the cross country backgrounds… haha.
  2. Exposure to nature – I tell people trail running is like hiking on steroids. I have always loved nature and this sport is an opportunity to get outside in nature, explore new places, and wander like a child. What is better than that?!
  3. Forces focus – Unlike running on pavement for a marathon, trail running requires you to focus on your steps, especially on single track technical terrain. As an inherent scatterbrain, this is a weird form of therapy for me and my mind thanks me afterwards.
  4. It is stressful -Stress is without a doubt problematic in our world but is also a misnomer and in the right context necessary for growth. Ultra running stresses you physically, mentally, and emotionally and checks all the boxes for my personal growth and every other facet of my life.

So put me in a crowd of unconventional athletes, in nature, focused on the trail, while being self aware of the stress test my body, mind, and emotions are about to endure, and I’ll say how did I get so lucky to be in this rarified space and how can I spread more awareness of how amazing it is?!

I am beyond grateful that I have found this high vibe sport and I chose the Vermont 100 for my first 100 miler for it’s prestige and history in the United States. And although the cynical part of me thinks that is cliche and cheesy (like I should have chosen some fringe 100 mile race to be “cool”), I am genuinely excited for this race and have already spoken with and met wonderful people as a result!”

A bit more about Justin

An East Greenwich native, Justin Hetherington is a real estate investor and broker in the Greater Providence Rhode Island area. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in finance from The University of Rhode Island. Justin resides with his wife Nicole and their shetland sheepdog in their newly built West End Providence home that Nicole designed as an architect.

 

Justin and his wife Nicole, with their shetland sheepdog
Justin and his wife Nicole, with their shetland sheepdog.

Share your story

Do you have an experience related to racing, pacing, crewing or volunteering for the Vermont 100? Reach out and tell us. We’ll share as many as we can.

Prepare for the Vermont 100

Head over to the Vermont 100 FAQs. This page is chock full of additional info about weekend schedule, lodging, the course, aid stations, drop bags, crews and pacers rules, and much more.

Get strong for the Vermont 100

Check out Race Direct Amy Rusiecki’s post, The Importance of Strength Training.

Can’t run, crew, volunteer, or otherwise participate in the Vermont 100?

Consider a donation to our race beneficiary, Vermont Adaptive. Give now. Any gift of any amount helps. Every penny empowers people of all abilities through year-round inclusive sports and recreational programming, regardless of their ability to pay. To us, the Vermont 100 is more than a race. It’s an opportunity to give back. It’s a chance to make a difference.

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The Importance of Strength Training for Running

The Importance of Strength Training for Running

Written by Jack Pilla, Run Formula Coach

Ok, you’ve been working on getting in the miles and building your base for the VT 100. What else could you be doing? How about some strength work and strength training!

Just Running Isn’t Enough

Distance runners need to acquire a sizeable level of general strength in both the legs and the upper body to be successful. Just running doesn’t work all the muscles needed to get this strength and can cause an imbalance. With the proper strength program, workloads of greater intensity can be managed more easily. Greater muscular strength decreases the risk of joint injury or overuse injuries by minimizing connective tissue stress (bone, ligament, tendon, or cartilage) thus maintaining joint integrity. A progressive resistance exercise program helps strengthen these connective tissues, making the entire support system more durable.

Some recent studies have shown that as few as six weeks of proper strength training can significantly reduce or completely relieve many common injuries. It also reduces the recurrence of many other common injuries. By strengthening muscle, as well as bone and connective tissue, strength training not only helps to prevent injury but also helps to reduce the severity of injury when it does occur.

In addition to injury prevention, strength training improves performance. Studies show that with as little as ten weeks of strength training, 10K times decrease by an average of a little over one minute. The research has also shown that running economy defined as the steady-state oxygen consumption for a standardized running speed, will be improved due to strength training. By improving running economy, a runner should be able to run faster over the same distance due to a decrease in oxygen consumption.  Improved running economy would also increase a runner’s time to exhaustion.

Coming Up With a Strength Training Plan for The Vermont 100

Strength training for the runner can be divided into three time periods: Pre-season, in-season and post-season. During these blocks of time, the volume and number of sets performed changes to keep pace with the different seasonal demands that running presents.

The greatest benefits of strength training for runners should be gained during the pre-season. This is the time to maximize your strength for the upcoming race or higher-mileage season. Volume (sets times repetitions) should be the highest during this time of year, which complements the lower running mileage. When trying to increase strength maximally, doing three sets per exercise (with about a two-minute rest between sets), and five to six repetitions per set has been shown to be most effective for athletes. Determining the amount of weight or resistance to use is somewhat a trial and error process. The last repetition should feel as if you couldn’t do another. If your last repetition seems easy, add five to ten percent more weight or resistance. Total body training two to three times a week during the pre-season will suffice, giving adequate time for full recovery after a workout.

The in-season for most runners comprises the greatest portion of the year. It could last from mid-April to mid-October. The goal of the in-season strength program is to maintain as much strength as possible. In-season training mainly requires one to two strength training sessions per week with only one to two sets of eight to ten repetitions per exercise.

The final third of the training calendar is referred to as the post-season. For most runners the post-season is from mid-October to mid-January. For competitive runners, post-season starts when your racing season is over. The first four weeks of the post-season are a time to recover. During this time, strength training can be performed two times a week consisting of only one set of eight to 12 repetitions of each exercise with adequate rest periods between sets. After four weeks of recovery, increase your strength training volume to two to three sets of each exercise with 60 to 90-second rest intervals.

So, how do you go about designing the most effective progressive-resistance exercise program to improve running performance? What type of equipment should be used: Free weights, machines or resistance bands? Any of the above, just do it. No single method has been shown to be superior. But the key to success is to train regularly. Give each body part attention about two to three times a week, maybe 20-30 minutes per session total. Train the muscle groups most in need of conditioning that will be of greatest benefit to running.  Place greater than normal demands on the exercising musculature for desired increases in strength to occur. Work the muscles throughout their full range of movement so that strength gains occur in the full range of motion.

Typical Strength Training Program for a Runner


Muscle Group &
Exercise

Quadriceps, hamstrings, hips
Squats, Dead Lifts and Lunges
Calves
Heel Raises
Shoulders
Shoulder Shrugs
Upper Back
Dumbbell Rows
Chest
Elevated Feet, Push-ups
Biceps
Curls
Triceps
Triceps Kickbacks
Lower Back
Superman Exercise (lie stomach down, lift feet and arms like superman flies)
Gluteal and hamstrings
Good Morning Lift (basically a deadlift with bent legs) 

Some Is Better Than None; How To Get It Done

Make it fun! Make a list of exercises to check off, challenge a partner to do it with you or have your running group do crunches/push-ups with you after your run. The triple-dog-dare usually works! Still don’t think you have time for this or that it’s too complicated? Then take the simple approach, 100 sit-ups and pushups daily. It doesn’t have to be consecutive either, just 100 of each per day!  Up for the challenge?!? 

Coach Jack at an aid station in the Vermont 100

(Coach Jack at the VT 100 with runner Nate and Joe)

About Coach Jack

Jack coaches marathon and ultra trail runners with The Run Formula. His first ultra was the VT50 in 2004. “The next year I ran my first 100-miler at the VT100,” where he finished in 6th. He continued to run the VT 100 for the next four years coming in 3rd three times and then in 2009 was the overall winner (at age 51!). Since then he has traveled all over the country and in Europe running some of the most difficult and most scenic ultra-distance races. Run coach bio here.

Learn more about preparing for the Vermont 100

Head over to the Vermont 100 FAQs. This page is chock full of additional info about weekend schedule, lodging, the course, aid stations, drop bags, crews and pacers rules, and much more.

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“It isn’t about running” – What the Vermont 100 Means to Me

“It isn’t about running” – What the Vermont 100 Means to Me

Erika Stillson is a constant light at the Vermont 100, volunteering endless hours to make sure that all of our aid stations are fully stocked day and night. She also happens to live at “Bills,” the family farm our runners pass through at ~ mile 51 and 89 of our 100k and 100m events. Erika, along with her dad, Bill, and countless others, are what make the Vermont 100 pure magic, and we thank her for sharing her story below. We hope you love it as much as we do!

Family. Community. Volunteering. Summer.

“The other day I received a note asking me if I’d write a little post about what the Vermont 100 means to me, so I sat down and thought about it. After working with this event in one form or another for the past 31 years, it occurred to me that I really know relatively few athletes in the event. Interesting, because without a doubt, when someone says ‘What is the Vermont 100?’ the first thought is of an amazing feat by elite athletes to support opportunities for other equally amazing athletes.

But what is the Vermont 100 to me? Well, it isn’t about running.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I do not mean to diminish in any way the journey or successes of these awe-inspiring runners, horses and riders, it’s just that my Vermont 100 isn’t about a race at all. It’s about a group of like-minded individuals getting together, stringing 980 chemlights, then finding other people to hang said chemlights throughout the last 45 miles of the course on a Saturday evening in mid July, rain or shine, road or trail. It’s about a small town (my small town) opening its arms to hundreds of people, showing them just what a little community can do. It’s everyone I can think of crazy enough to turn on their ovens to bake a couple hundred pounds of potatoes or 72 dozen chocolate chip cookies in the summer heat. Or, going way back, mac and cheese and brownies for the pre-race dinner on Friday night. It’s getting up at 4am on Saturday and not going to sleep again until Sunday night.

My Vermont 100 is driving around the back roads with my dad towing us on the bed of an old horse trailer, picking up aid stations and unmarking the course. It’s driving almost all 100 miles in ‘Old Blue,’ our almost-famous pickup truck that worked the first 15 or so races with us, and that old horse trailer, just ‘checking on things.’ And I know that my summer would be missing something without this event.

My Vermont 100 is hours and hours of things that no one likes to think about, that maybe no one really wants to do, but for some reason, at some point in my life seemed like a great adventure.

I worked an unmanned aid station for the first race because I realllllly wanted to do something. So, my parents let their 15-year-old daughter drive down to the aid station and hang out there by myself with a flashlight until midnight, pouring Coke into paper cups. I’ll never forget how happy those runners were to see my flashlight that night.

I moved on to the med station the next year and learned how to lance a blister, perhaps not my thing, but thanks for the knowledge. I worked volunteer parking for a handler station, I babysat Laura Farrell’s boys so she could be out working. I purchased, packed, and delivered the aid station food, took a break from that, then went back and did it again.

I’ve worked registration, the race start, and the finish line. I’ve worked aid stations, I’ve set them up and torn them down. I’ve cleaned up after the race, I’ve marked and unmarked sections of the course. I’ve learned that it’s easier to hang chemlights before it gets dark, but it’s more fun (for me, at least) to do it after.

My Vermont 100 was once heading out to find our puppy who left from our aid station with a runner before little Tuck got too tired to keep running and was lost in the woods. And now I just do a little behind the scenes organizing, and, as I like to call it ‘the fun stuff.’ And, of course, I get to help clean out our barn to make room for the aid station.

I started working on this event to be with my family.

My dad has been involved with the Vermont 100 from the very first year and I have been following his lead and have used the event for some great father-daughter time over the years (you all know Bill of Bill’s barn, am I right? I call him Dad. Great guy, am I right? I know I’m right).

And since I have started working on this event my family has grown. I am happy to count the amazing committee (past and present) that puts this all together as my family. We’ve been through thick and thin, through losses and joys and we’ve stood side by side through them all. Just like a family does.

I’ve seen members of my community stand up in meetings and speak for this race, even though they have no ties to it beyond the fact that it happens in their town. Their voices have ensured that our race keeps its home in the hills of Brownsville.

Our community supports us.

I have called on people who have no ties to running, no ties to Vermont Adaptive and they have come. They have come in droves, and they have stayed. They are the stars of my Vermont 100. You don’t know them and you don’t see them, but without them, we’d be lost.

Oh, the heat. The humidity. The thunderstorms. The microbursts.

To quote Farmer’s, ‘We know a thing or two, because we’ve seen a thing or two.’ Ain’t it the truth? The Vermont 100 will always test you, and not just you the athlete. You, the volunteer at an aid station in the blazing sun, in the pouring rain and thunderstorms, or in the dark of night. You, the restock volunteer trying to keep up with requests for ice or blankets, ramen or watermelon. You, the overnight restock crews looking out for horses in the foggy night as you drive from one station to the next with ice, blankets, and, of course, gummy bears.

My Vermont 100, I’m sure, is different from everyone else’s Vermont 100, but that’s just one more thing that makes it fun. That makes it special. That makes it mine.”

A Bit More about Erika

Erika Stillson is an avid skier, trail runner and yoga instructor.  She is thrilled to be back living on her family farm in Windsor, Vermont, where Spring finds her in the sugarhouse and Summer in the gardens.  She has a small studio at the farm, which gives her the ability to share two of her favorite things: Yoga and the peace she finds on the farm. Follow her adventures at Oxbow Farm.

Want to help?

Learn more about Volunteering at the Vermont 100.

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Drop Bag Instructions for Your VT100

Drop Bag Instructions for Your VT100

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers! So let’s jump into some VT100 drop bag instructions.

Here’s What You NEED to Know About Drop Bags at the VT100 

We cover basic drop bag instructions, which aid stations drop bags can be sent to, an FAQ you may be wondering about when it comes to Camp Ten Bear, and a courtesy reminder for how you can help our volunteers have a great day too. Further details are also located in: The Runner’s Handbook.


The Basics

  • How many drop bags: Runners and their pacers are permitted to have one (1) drop bag per aid station that allows crews. See the aid stations lists below for 100-milers and 100-km runners.  
  • Who: While we do allow any runner to have a drop bag, we request that runners with crews not use drop bags (unless your crew won’t be at an aid station).  We have a ton of solo runners, and don’t want the volunteers to get bogged down with bags that your crew will ultimately pull and use for you!
  • Size: Drop bags should be soft sided, waterproof and durable. A small backpack or gear bag about 9” by 9” by 16” (or smaller) should be sufficient. See below for an example of what NOT to do.
  • Timing: Drop bags must be in place on Silver Hill by 4:15pm on Friday. Unfortunately we can not accommodate runners who are postponed (even by emergencies or travel delays). If you arrive late, you will have to do without your drop bags. We will do our best to return all drop bags to Silver Hill by 12 noon on Sunday. Please don’t forget to pick them up, because the RD stinks at mailing them back!  If you are unable to pick them up yourself, arrange for a friend or fellow runner to grab them for you.

The Details

  • Every drop bag must be marked clearly and largely with: Bib Number, Last Name, and Aid Station Name.
  • Bib Number: Your bib number will be posted on the entrants list page. If you don’t write your bib number clearly, your bag will be harder to find during the race.
  • Aid Station Name: If you don’t write the Aid Station Name clearly, your bag will be harder to find during the race.

100 Mile runners can send drop bags to the following Aid Stations:

  • Pretty House – mile 21
  • Stage Road – mile 30
  • Camp Ten Bear #1 – mile 47
  • Margaritaville – mile 58
  • Camp Ten Bear #2 – mile 69
  • Spirit of 76  – mile 76
  • Bill’s – mile 88
  • Polly’s – mile 96

100-km runners can send drop bags to the following Aid Stations:

  • Camp Ten Bear #1 – mile 9
  • Margaritaville – mile 20
  • Camp Ten Bear #2 – mile 31
  • Spirit of 76 – mile 38
  • Bill’s – mile 50
  • Polly’s – mile 58

An FAQ to Consider

Q. How should I mark my drop bags for Camp Ten Bear?

Since runners pass through twice, Camp Ten Bear is aid station #11 and aid station #17. There will be 2 drop bag areas; one area for #11, and one area for #17. If you want to use one drop bag for both areas, clearly mark the drop bag “Camp Ten Bear #11.” After you use the drop bag on your first time through Camp Ten Bear, drop the bag in the #17 pile before you leave and the bag will be there when you return.


Please Remember

Drop Bag - How NOT to PackAt the end of the day, The Vermont 100 is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged bags or belongings.

Volunteers move upwards of 150 bags to each station and we do our best to do this carefully and with your best race in mind.

Pack appropriately! We can not accept unreasonably large or unwieldy drop bags. The more stuff you cram into your drop bag, the more valuable time you’ll lose rummaging through it to find what you need. The image to the right is in fact a real thing that happened. One time we got luggage… don’t do this to our volunteers!

Keep in mind that we won’t ship aid station bags that are left behind.  If you are leaving prior to it’s return, arrange with a fellow runner or friend to grab it for you.


Thank so much and looking forward to helping you do your best on race day!

-The VT100 Volunteers

PS – Want to know more about prepping for your VT100? Check out our quick post for Your VT100 Weekend Checklist.

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Gas. Food. Ice – Where to Buy It Along the VT100 Race Route

Gas. Food. Ice – Where to Buy It Along the VT100 Race Route

Crews listen up especially: You’re gonna need gas. You’re gonna get hungry. You’re gonna want to cool some things off. So we’re here to help you!

Find the best spots along the VT100 race route to locate fuel, food, and ice.


About Each Location

PLEASE NOTE*
The following 8 outlets are directly on the Handler routes, and the basic information has been included in their written directions.

South Woodstock Country Store

  • Address: 10673 South Rd. Woodstock
  • Owner: Simarin
  • Good for: Excellent short order breakfast items, and great lunch offerings. Ice, drinks, snacks.
  • Hours:
    Fri. 6:30 am to 6:00 pm.
    Sat. 6:30 am to 6:00 p.m.
    Sun. 7:00 am.- 4:00 p.m.
  • Phone: 802-457-3050

Mac’s Market

  • Address: 37 Pleasant St. (Rte. 4) Woodstock
  • Manager: Jeff
  • Good for: Deli and full line of groceries. Are geared up for the event, with extra ice, etc..
  • Hours:
    Opens 7 am every day.
    Closing Mon. – Sat. 9:00 p.m.; Sun 8:00 p.m.
  • Phone: 802-457-9320

Maplefields

  • Address: 66 Pleasant St. (Rte. 4) Woodstock
  • Manager: Raphael
  • Good for: Stocking up for the event weekend.
  • Hours: Daily 5:00am to midnight
  • Phone: 802-457-1549

Cumberland Farms

  • Address: 433 Woodstock Road, Woodstock
  • Good for: getting gas and other race weekend supplies.
  • Hours: Daily 4:00am to midnight

Teago General Store

  • Address: At split between Pomfret Rd. and Stage Rd., Pomfret
  • Owner: Kathleen
  • Good for: Has Ice – Will have breakfast sandwiches, muffins, zucchini & banana breads – Midday Sandwiches. Geared up for the event.
  • Hours: Opens at 6:30am on Saturday (just for us!)
  • Phone: 802-457-1626

Watroba’s General Store

  • Address: 821 Rte. 106 Reading
  • Owners: Robert and Zonia
  • Good for: Ice, deli, produce, fruit, drinks.
  • Hours:
    Fri. & Sat. 7 am to 8 pm (Deli 9 am to at least 6:30 pm)
    Sun. 8 am to 6 pm. (Deli 9 am to 5:00 pm)
    Sandwich board out front: “VT-100 Supporters”
  • Phone: 802-484-7700

Downer’s Corner Store (Jiffy Mart)

  • Address: Junction of Rte’s 106 & 131, Weathersfield
  • Manager:  Steve and Missy
  • Good for: Gas (has diesel), Ice, Convenience items. 802-263-9327
  • Hours: 6 am to 9 pm (pumps close then). Deli – 6 am to 4:30 pm.

Villagers

  • Address: 4261 Rte. 106, Perkinsville (across from Downers)
  • Good for: Burgers, Fries, etc.
  • Hours:
    Tues. to Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    Fri, & Sat. to 9:00 p.m.
    *Grill closes ½ hour before closing.
  • Phone: 802-263-5677

Windsor Establishments

Brownsville Butcher & Pantry (formerly Brownsville General Store)

  • Address: 871 VT-44, West Windsor
  • Good for: breakfast food, burgers and sandwiches, veggie options, wine by the glass, beer & ale on tap (and all your other weekend needs)
  • Hours: Monday – Friday – 6:30am to 8:00pm, Saturday 5:00pm to 10:00pm (just for us!), Sunday 7:00am to 6:00pm

Price Chopper

  • Address: Rte 5 (Main St.) Windsor
  • Good for: Groceries & Ice
  • Hours: 7 am to 11 pm

Windsor Diner

  • Address: Rte 5 (Main St.) Windsor
  • Owner: Theresa
  • Good for:
    Serving full breakfast including muffins
    Great fried chicken dinner
    Will make sandwiches for pick-up; may deliver if large enough order.
  • Hours: Every day – 7 am to 3:30pm
  • Phone: 802-674-5555

Cumberland Farms

  • Address: Main St.
  • Manager: Nina
  • Good for: Convenience Store fare, gas, ice
  • Hours: Open 24 hours

Pizza Chef

  • Address: 88 Main St.
  • Owners: Gus & Nickos
  • Good for: Pizza, plus will deliver if large enough order. Also have sandwiches.
  • Phone: 802-674-6861
  • Hours: Officially open daily at 11:00 am, but usually someone there by 9:00 to take orders. Close at 9pm.

Boston Dreams

  • Address: Corner of Main & State St’s
  • Owner: Karen
  • Good for: Specialty Coffees, sandwiches (Panini’s), ice cream, pastries, muffins. Have Wi-Fi. Full espresso bar. Both sit-down & take-out.
  • Hours: Opens every day at 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Phone: 802-230-4107

Others Off of I-91 on Route 5 South:, before Center of Windsor

Harpoon Brewery Riverbend Taps & Beer Garden

  • Address: 336 Ruth Carney Drive, Windsor.  (2.8 miles north of Windsor town center on Rte. 5 North; 1.2 mi. south of I-91 Exit 9 on Rte. 5 South.)
  • Good for:
    Serving really good Pub fare food until 1 hour before closing time.  Wings, Fries, Salads, Wraps, Sandwiches & Burgers, etc.
  • Go to: www.HarpoonBrewery.com for complete menu and other info.
  • Hours:
    Open Thur.-Sun. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Mon. to Weds. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Frazer’s Place (small drive-in restaurant)

  • Address: 2066 Rte 5., Windsor (halfway between Harpoon and center of town)
  • Owner: Mike
  • Hours:
    Mon. – Fri. 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
    Sat & Sun. 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The following are along routes for arriving at Silver Hill

If coming from the south on I-91, taking exit 8, and then Rte. 5 North, To:

Sunoco Station

  • Address: 258 Vt. Rte. 131, Ascutney, VT
  • Hours
    5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., but their pumps, including DIESEL, are open 24 hours.

Ascutney Market

  • Address: Rte. 5, Ascutney
  • Hours: daily 7:00am to 7:00pm

If coming from the north on I-89, taking exit 1 to Rte. 4 West

Mobil Gas Station

  • Address: 3479 Woodstock Rd. (Rte. 4) Quechee, VT
  • Hours: daily 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (has diesel)

Quechee Jiffy Mart

  • Address: 6800 Woodstock Rd. Quechee, VT
  • Hours:
    Gas: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m./11:00 p.m. Sat.
    Subway Shop 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Gas pumps off at closing

Taftsville Country Store

  • Address: 2706 E. Woodstock Rd. Taftsville, VT, near Taftsville Covered Bridge
  • Phone: 802-457-1135.
  • Hours:
    Mon – Thu. 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
    Fri. & Sat. 8:00 a.m. – 6::00 p.m.
    Sun. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

If coming from the north on I-91, taking Exit 9 onto Rte. 5 North

Mike’s Store

  • Address: 148 Rte. 5, Hartland
  • Good for: Gas (HAVE DIESEL), Ice, Groceries, sandwiches.
  • Hours: 6 am to 9 pm – 7 days
  • Phone: 802-436-3244

Hartland Diner

  • Address: Hartland 3 Corners
  • Owner: Nicole
  • Good for: Great food.
  • Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday – Friday, open 6:00am on Sunday.
    Opening special for us on Saturday at 4:00 am (awesome breakfast menu)
  • Phone: 802-436-3663

BG’s Market

  • Address: (Next door to Diner)
  • Owner: Bill
  • Good for: Deli, Snacks, Groceries.
  • Hours:
    Fri. & Sat. 6 am to 8 pm.
    Sun. 6 am to 7 pm.
    Phone: 802-436-2360
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Volunteering at the VT100 – What To Know

Volunteering at the VT100 – What To Know

Welcome to the VT100 blog post that covers most everything you’d need to know about volunteering at the VT100 – from the duties and perks available, to what to download to be prepared, and even a little bit on our volunteer recognition awards

Oh, and we don’t want to wait till the end to say it, so before we dive in, please know how much we appreciate all of our amazing VT100 volunteers! Without your help, our event would never be the success it is year after year. Not only is volunteering is a great way to give back to the running community, but it’s also an excellent way to learn about a race before running it.


New Volunteers

Not sure what to help with? We also have a general volunteer sign up form here, where you can share a bit more about yourself and we’ll help find a duty, day, and time that will work for both of us.


Tell Me About the Perks!

VT100 volunteers all get sweet VT100 t-shirts (as long as you volunteer at least 5 hours), tons of high fives, a boat load of thank yous, and more self-satisfaction for giving back than you could shake a stick at.

In order to guarantee your volunteer t-shirt size: You need to sign up by May 14th. We will do our best to get enough shirts and the correct sizes for everyone who signs up after May 14th.

We need over 500 volunteers to pull this off. Don’t hesitate: sign-up today!


Volunteer Opportunities Include

  • Packing food boxes days before the race
  • Setting up aid stations (Friday night)
  • Setting up the start/finish (Thursday, Friday)
  • Serving food and good cheer at aid stations (Saturday – Sunday)
  • Checking the runners in at the finish (Saturday – Sunday)
  • Cleaning up after the awards ceremony (Sunday night)
  • Amateur HAM radio operators (Saturday – Sunday)

KEEP READING, THERE’S MORE BELOW!

VT100 - Volunteering

Pro-tips from the Volunteer Coordinators

Download and read the following documents prior to arrival. Cell service on Silver Hill Meadow is spotty at best and there will NOT be copies available at check-in.

Remember to pack:

  • Reusable water bottle or cup (VT100 is a cupless race)
  • Flashlight and/or headlamp
  • Bug Spray
  • Rain gear
  • Sunblock and Hat

If you have received a volunteer assignment but would like to do more, please contact us with your available days.

Camping spots are still available at the Start/Finish on Silver Hill Meadow.


Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!

Send us an email and we’ll do our best to answer as soon as possible.

Thank you!

Carolyn Stocker
Vermont 100 Volunteer Coordinator
vt100volunteers@gmail.com

 

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Winter Training for Summer Success

Winter Training for Summer Success

Written by Lindsay Simpson, Run Formula coach

So you’re in, congratulations! You’ve marked your calendar for July 21 and it reads “VT100 Baby!” While July warmth and humidity may be hard to imagine when you’re blasted with sub-zero temperatures, snow, ice and 20 mph winds; it really is important that you get creative and disciplined with your training now to ensure that you’re ready for race day. Here are a few guidelines and strategies to build fitness and durability to handle more run training when the snow melts.

Time on feet is a smarter measure of volume versus mileage. You are going to be slower in winter at the same level of effort you might exert in warmer weather. Cold muscles simply do not work as efficiently. Footing is slippery and slow due to ice and snow. Plus, due to limited daylight hours, many runs are done in the dark which makes us instinctively more cautious. Plan your weekly and daily volume in hours and minutes so that you have measurable objectives and can let go of mileage as an indicator of training achievement.

Run frequency equals durability. A few run miles completed on most days of the week is far more advantageous for your VT 100 readiness than is completing only a few long runs per week. As runners, sometimes we hold a detrimental mindset of “all or nothing”. Life, sickness, and weather happen. If you find yourself unable to execute the entire planned run, try to do at least some of it, unless you are sick. Your soft tissues; muscles, ligaments and tendons become more durable with frequency of use over long periods of time; weeks and months. Prepping your body to handle running for a full day in July begins with consistent time on feet now.

Get run specific strong now to prevent injuries when run volume increases later in the spring. You don’t have to join your local gym. Focus on simple, body-weight exercises that you can do in three to four 15 minute sessions per week at home or on a break at work. Here are a few exercises we recommend for leg and core muscle that power your running: hack lunges, single leg deadlifts, monster walks with resistance band, eccentric calf raises, 3 minutes of continuous planks – front, then sides.

Enjoy other winter activities, but don’t kid yourself about their value as run training. Here are some guidelines. First, we recommend establishing heart rate zones and using this feedback as a reliable measure of intensity across different activities. Snowshoeing can be counted as 1-1 run volume, provided the effort is comparable to planned run intensity for that training session. We love Dion Snowshoes because they are small and lightweight, limiting changes to your run gain. Classic cross country skiing can be counted at 55% of planned run volume. So if you’re aiming for a run of 1.25 hrs, you’ll need to ski about 2.25 hours to meet your training objective for the day. Skate skiing can be counted as 35% of planned run volume. One solid day of downhill skiing, don’t count the chairlift ride time, is worth about an hour of strength work.

Above all, keep in mind that the toughest days only make you mentally stronger for the monumental challenge of running 100 km or 100 miles. When you’re on course in July, sweating and smiling up the hills, you can think back and draw confidence from all the hard winter training you completed.

 

Lindsay Simpson getting a 2015 VT 100 finish line fist pump from her husband John Spinney.

About Lindsay – I coach ultradistance trail runners with The Run Formula. My first crack at a race longer than 50k was the VT 100 km race in 2011 when I surprised my shorts off with a win in 12:18. I took a longer, much bumpier path to the 100 mile finish line, finally making it in 2015 with a time of 20:15. I am a lifelong runner, learner and lover of all things Vermont. Run coach bio here.

Official Coach of the Vermont 100
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*Blind Dates at the VT100 – Pacing/Being Paced by a Stranger

*Blind Dates at the VT100 – Pacing/Being Paced by a Stranger

Some runners don’t have the ability to travel with pacers, so they rely on the generosity of strangers to pace them.

Are you a pacer seeking a runner or runner seeking a pacer to help you at the VT100?

Well, you’re in luck – no need to ‘swipe right’ – just click the links below, enter your credentials, and you’ll meet your match in the twilight on Silver Hill… *sorta like a blind date for runners! 


HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

You sign up through the form links above, then we do our best to make the match! If we find someone, we’ll get you synced up on Silver Hill on the Friday evening before the race.

Then following your initial introductions, you’ll both have a few hours to prepare for your first date, which begins after the runner’s second pass through the Camp Ten Bear aid station (~mile 31 for 100k, and ~mile 70 for 100m).

Runners, when you’re with your pacer during the race, your job is simple:

Run. And don’t let your pacer mule; you’re better than that… and it’ll get your DQ’d.

Pacers, once the race starts, you’ve got a bit more responsibility as your runner’s blind date: 

You will be responsible for keeping your runner on their target pace, on the correct trail, and regularly hydrating and refueling. However, don’t let the romance blossom too soon! Absolutely no physical aid may be given to your date. No matter how cute they are, you must not carry their food, fluids, or supplies of any kind. Muling is not a good look, and will disqualify your runner.


WHAT DOES THE IDEAL PACER LOOK LIKE? 

Think you’ve got what it takes to be a rockstar pacer at the VT100? Here’s what your blind date would love:

You should be cute an experienced runner, healthy, in good shape and conditioned adequately to run 30 miles over rough terrain.

It’s likely that your date will last overnight and into the wee hours of the early morning (no, not like that!); so you should be dressed accordingly, equipped with flashlights or a headlamp, and familiar with the distance between aid stations (pro-tip: pack an aid station cheat sheet and study the race profile! All of this can be found in our handy Resource Center).

Oh, and don’t forget, you can partake at aid stations and even have your own drop bags, but remember – you’re a cheap blind date; should also be adequately supplied with your own food and water at all times too.

Now go get ’em! If your date doesn’t have you swooning by sunrise, the finish line on Silver Hill will do the trick. And remember, while you won’t get any recognition for being a blind date at the VT100, your dating karma might and your running karma certainly will.


*Editor’s note: It should be fairly obvious, but pacing or being paced at the VT100 is not a romantic date. It’s a serious responsibility for those who are seriously interested in helping or being helped by someone to complete the race.

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A Note From the Medical Director

A Note From the Medical Director

One of the qualities that makes a good ultrarunner is stubbornness. However, this trait can also be a liability. It is critically important to be able to distinguish between when you should tough it out, and when you need to stop. That’s why we have skilled and knowledgeable medical professionals at the VT100 to help save us from ourselves when we truly need it.

The major addition this year is the Medical Director’s decision to immediately disqualify runners that exhibit signs of significant Rhabdomyolysis and Trench Foot. Once these conditions have developed, any further running or exposure to the elements can be life or limb threatening, even in the early stages of severity.


Here’s what the VT100 Medical Director, Dr. Rick Marasa, and his experienced team will be looking for:

Rhabdomyolysis

  • Rhabdo is muscle tissue breakdown resulting in the release of a protein into the blood that can damage the kidneys.
  • Symptoms include dark, reddish urine, a decreased amount of urine, weakness, and muscle aches.
  • Early treatment with aggressive fluid replacement reduces the risk of kidney damage.
  • The recovery can take several months and is a bigger problem in runners who have exerted themselves beyond their level of training.
  • Urine dipstick testing strongly for blood will be available (and used, as needed) at the VT100 stations with medical providers.  
  • Since there is no direct correlation of weight loss to Rhabdo or hydration/circulation status, VT100 medics will conduct urine tests only when clinically indicated.  

Trench Foot

  • Trench Foot is severe pain in the feet that is associated with prolonged exposure to wet/cool environments.
  • The feet might show only minimal physical redness or blanching.
  • Much like its “cousin” frostbite, re-exposure can result in severe symptoms, tissue damage (blisters, open sores, fungal infections, etc.) and even necrosis (cellular death).
  • As trench foot worsens, feet may also begin to swell.
  • Trench foot can be prevented by keeping the feet clean and dry. Runners should change out of wet, dirty socks and shoes, and into clean, dry pairs.
  • VT100 medics will be asking runners about foot pain only when clinically indicated.

“Both of these conditions are essentially silent killers. When runners try tough it out and overcome them, they put themselves at a very high risk of increasing the severity to life and limb threatening levels.”

– Dr. Marasa

All runners must follow the direction of the Medical Director and his experienced, knowledgeable team. Your longevity in this wacky sport depends on it!


Remember: Although medical personnel will assist you when possible, you are ultimately responsible for your own well-being. Monitor yourself and prepare to drop out at the nearest aid station if you don’t feel well.  As you run, be aware of the number of miles to the next aid station.  There’s no shame in knowing your limitations. Several drops have come back to finish (or win) the VT100 the following year.

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Interview with ‘Nipmuck’ Dave

Interview with ‘Nipmuck’ Dave

After race directing the Nipmuck Trail Marathon in Connecticut for 26 years and retiring from 30 years of Occupation Therapy work, adaptive athlete Dave Raczkowski finished last year’s VT100 on his handmade titanium crutches with 6 minutes to spare.

Tenacious and gritty, this interview reveals Dave’s humility (“I don’t know if I like being called a rockstar”), his backyard training regime (“I probably should be doing more hills”) and respect for the distance (“the VT100 doesn’t just happen during a few days in July”).

Here we go!


Q. Hi Dave. The Race Director wants to interview a few Vermont 100 rockstars. Would you mind answering a few questions?

I don’t know if I like being called a rockstar. I’m more of a spiritual advisor.


Q. Give us an idea of your training. Where do you train? How has your training been?

I probably should be doing more hills, but I find myself just getting in long runs. On Tuesdays, I run 4 hours and do 1 hour of weights. On Wednesdays, I run 6 hours. On Thursdays, I run 8 hours. I’m kind of procrastinating about doing the weights. I train in my ‘backyard’. I’m pretty satisfied [about] how things are going mainly because nothing hurts. I have a neighbor at the end of my road you always says, “Have a nice walk today,” and I wave, muttering under my breath, “I’m not walking, I’m running.”


Q. How many times have you finished Vermont? Do you have any advice for the first timers?

6 attempts, 3 finishes. The Vermont 100 doesn’t just happen during a few days in July.  It’s all the time because I’m constantly training for it.  So, first timers should choose very carefully where they live.  As long as the house has a good roof and the toilet flushes, that’s good enough.  That house should be in the middle of at least 10 square miles of woods with many miles of trails going through it. And take [the race] mile by mile. You can’t think of the whole thing. When you’re at mile 49, think about mile 49 – not mile 50 or 60.


Q. What is your favorite part of the event?

The first 10 miles and the very last mile. The worst time is from midnight ‘til 2:30AM before the race starts.  I know I should be resting, but I’m just ready to explode.  After the race starts that energy just flows out. That first 10 miles is effortless, more like floating.  I don’t remember the specific aid station, but the one [where] some GAC members  dumped a bucket of ice water over my head [editor’s note: Birmingham’s Aid Station, mile 53.9]. Arriving at Silver Hill is like having a circle that is almost completed. All the preparation has been done. Now you just let the events unfold in front of you.


Q. Do you have any advice for race directors on including an Athletes With Disabilities Awards Division at their ultra?

We mostly accept what we got and just deal with it. We want no special treatment.


Q. Do you consider yourself an adaptive athlete?

Very much so. I worked for 30 years as an Occupational Therapist in a Nursing Home, so adaptation is kind of like my middle name.


A Bit More

Dave will be running without a pacer (“when my mind is dark, it’s best to deal with myself”) and using handmade titanium crutches he had custom welded (“it was hard to find a guy who’d do it”).

When Dave isn’t running, he voluntarily maintains 22 miles of trails for the Connecticut Forest and Park Association but, he remarks, “my main pastime is being very much in love with my wife. She’s not a runner but we see eye to eye on a lot of stuff. As love affairs go, we got blessed.”

Nipmuck Dave, we’re all excited to meet you on Silver Hill Meadow and will be cheering you on to your next VT100 finish.


For more VT100 interview, race day prep tips, FAQs, and more, be sure to peruse the entire VT100 blog or use the category sorter at the top of the blog home to find relevant article! 

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FAQs – Zeke’s Answers to All Your VT100 Questions

FAQs – Zeke’s Answers to All Your VT100 Questions

We get A LOT of questions from our participants every year. So, we’ve rounded up your FAQs and Zeke’s taken the time to answer each. There’s a ton of information here, but we promise it’s worth it. Enjoy!

  • This post is broken up into 11 sections.
  • Read start to finish, or click a topic to anchor to that specific section
  1. About Zeke
  2. The Course
  3. Your Gear
  4. Aid Stations
  5. Medical
  6. The Start and Finish
  7. The Schedule
  8. Running with Horses
  9. Weather
  10. Pacers, Crews, & Handlers
  11. Miscellaneous

We hope this will help you breathe a little easier going into the race!


About Zeke

If you have questions about the VT100, Zeke has answers. As a longtime member of the race committee for the VT50 and the VT100, Zeke Zucker is here to make sure you have the best experience possible.

Zeke is an experienced runner, having finished over 50 ultras in his career, including six Vermont 100 finishes, Western States 100, Leadville 100, Wasatch 100, Mountain Masochist, and Bull Run Run.

As a critical member of our race committee, Zeke ensures that the course is the correct length. As landowner permissions change, he coordinates substitutions and re-routes. He also checks the course to make sure that there aren’t any downed trees or other obstacles along the route.

And as if his rockstar status couldn’t be more solid, Zeke was the captain of the Spirit of ‘76 aid station for many years, before recently turning the reigns over to the 413 Trail Runners. He still volunteers there every year, so make sure you say hello when you pass through!

So, if you’ve got any questions – from how to prepare for your first 100 miler, your first Vermont, what the course is like, or what your crew should expect – Zeke has experienced it all and is super generous to share his wealth of knowledge.


The Course

WHERE CAN I FIND A MAP OF THE COURSE?
We do not publish course maps because most of the VT100 is on private land. We deeply respect our landowners privacy and are very thankful they generously grant us access to run on their land. Without these landowners, the VT100 would not be possible. Thank you, landowners!

WHAT IS THE COURSE LIKE?
Course Composition:

Gravel / Trail – Jeep road / Paved
100 Mile: 68.5% / 29% / 2.5%
100-km: 66.5% / 32% / 1.5%

Composition Details:

The 70 miles of smooth gravel roads, although hilly, are very runnable. The trails and jeep roads, for the most part, are also quite runnable, with a paucity of rocks or roots. Most trails are part of the local Horse Association trail network, and are well-maintained.

The Jeep Roads are hardly rutted, but occasionally a heavy rain will cause some erosion. One segment, just before the halfway point, is an old logging road with sizeable puddles that extend across the width of the road. Since your feet might get wet, you may want to include a pair of dry shoes and socks at the next drop bag aid station, which is Margaritaville at mile 58.5.

The total paved surface is about 2.5 miles. There are 6 sections of paved surfaces ranging between 1/16 and 1/2 mile. The longest paved surface is just shy of 1 mile and occurs after Lillian’s at mile 43.

VT100 Course

ARE THERE A LOT OF HILLS? 

There are hills throughout the course. The elevation again is approximately 17,000’ for the 100 Mile and 9,000’ for the 100 Km.

Vermont 100-mile Elevation Profile

Here are the hills that will get your attention:

  • Mile 4: Densmore Hill Road, moderate for 2 miles
  • Miles 10-16 & 19-21: Moderate rollers before Pretty House
  • Mile 26: moderate climb up to Sound of Music Hill
  • Mile 30: After Stage Rd. 3/4 mi. up thru meadow and woods. Steep then Mod.
  • Mile 38: Fletcher Hill Road, 1.5 miles of steep road

NOTE: 100K runners: you have one half mile moderate hill at 3.2 miles. For the following, subtract 38 miles or your mileage points. You can also access the 100-km elevation profile here

  • Mile 49: Agony Hill, moderate to steep for 7-10 miles
  • Mile 56: Tracer Brook up to Margaritaville aid station, moderate to steep for 2 miles
  • Mile 59: Prospect Hill, steep for half mile
  • Mile 62: Brown Schoolhouse Road, moderate climbs for 3 miles
  • Mile 70: Heartbreak Hill, steep for 7-10 miles
  • Mile 74: Calendar Hill Road, moderate to steep climb for half mile
  • Mile 76: Driveway approach to ’76 aid station, 0.15 mi. and very steep
  • Mile 87: Coon Club Road before Bill’s, moderate to steep roller coaster
  • Mile 90: Hewett Road, moderate 1.5 miles, then Hunt Road 0.3 steep
  • Mile 92: Marton Road, first third is VERY STEEP, then eases to moderate half mile
  • Mile 98: Trails before Blood Hill are short, mostly moderate with one steep

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.

HOW WILL THE COURSE BE MARKED?
The 100 mile course will be marked with large yellow plastic dinner plates, with bold dark black arrows indicating direction (right, left or straight). Where the course turns, there will be one arrow plate BEFORE the turn, two plates at the turn, and another plate AFTER the turn. On some stretches you will see confidence plates with a large C on it, to assure you that you are still on course. The 100K will be marked with LAVENDER plastic dinner plates only until it joins the 100 Mile course (at Lillian’s Aid Station), at which point everyone will follow yellow plates. At night, in addition to the plates, there will be green glow stick chem-lites marking the route.

VT100 - Yellow Course Markers

HOW MUCH DOES THE 100-KM COURSE OVERLAP THE 100-MILE?
The 100 K course starts at Silver Hill Meadow and proceeds 5.6 miles to Lillian’s Aid Station, which is the mile 43.3 for the 100 Milers. From Lillian’s to the finish, the two courses are identical.

WHERE DO THE COURSES GO?
The 100 Mile goes through parts of 9 towns in a three lobe cloverleaf pattern. The 100 K goes through parts of 6 towns on the latter two cloverleaf ‘lobes’.

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY COURSE CHANGES?
There are no anticipated changes to the course this year, however minor last minute changes seem to occur every year. Any course changes will be reviewed at the pre-race briefing on Friday.


Your Gear

CAN I USE DROP BAGS?
You can have a drop bag at any aid station that allows crews. Information about drop bags can be found here. Remember:

  • All drop bags bags must be in place on Silver Hill by 5:30pm on Friday, July 14th.
  • Mark each drop bag with your: Bib Number,  Last Name, and Aid Station Name.
  • Drop bags should be soft sided, waterproof and durable. A small backpack or gear bag about 9” by 9” by 16” (or smaller). We will not accept unreasonably large drop bags.

HOW SHOULD I MARK MY DROP BAGS FOR CAMP TEN BEAR?
Since runners pass through twice, Camp Ten Bear is aid station #11 and aid station #17. There will be 2 drop bag areas; one area for #11, and one area for #17. If you want to use one drop bag for both areas, clearly mark the drop bag “Camp Ten Bear #11.” After you use the drop bag on your first time through Camp Ten Bear, drop the bag in the #17 pile before you leave and the bag will be there when you return.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
The VT100 is a cupless race, so bring a water bottle. The race starts before sunrise, so bring a headlamp or flashlight. We suggest you wear trail shoes but you could get by with road shoes.

SHOULD I TAKE A FLASHLIGHT FOR THE START OF THE 100-MILE RACE?
Since the 100 mile starts before sunrise, you may want to bring a small inexpensive light that you can afford to leave behind at the first aid station. There will be a box at the first aid station (Densmore Hill, mile 7) where you can leave your light. The box will be returned to Silver Hill.

SHOULD I CARRY TWO WATER BOTTLES FOR THE RACE?
Yes, if the weather is above 85 degrees and you anticipate taking over 28 hours to complete the run. You won’t need two bottles if you have a hydration pack. The greatest distance between aid stations is 5 miles, which occurs 3 times in the 100 mile. Slower runners will take close to 1.5 hours to cover 5 miles.


Aid Stations

WHAT KIND OF HYDRATION AND FUEL WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE AID STATIONS?
New this year, the energy drink that will be provided at aid stations is Base Performance Hydro.  All runners will also be given a tube of the Base Performance Electrolytes, to use in conjunction with the Hydro.  If you plan on using these products, it is strongly suggested that you order and try both in your training. Aid Stations will also have an assortment of the following: chips, fruit, M&M’s, cookies, candy, peanut butter and jelly, turkey sandwiches, and potato chunks. There will be soup, broth, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate at some stations after dark. There will be burgers and hotdogs at Camp Ten Bear, and grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup at Spirit of ’76.

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. Do not discard on the roads or trails. Absolutely no littering will be tolerated. We pride ourselves on being Green. After all, Vermont is the Green Mountain State!


Medical

WHAT IF I NEED FIRST AID OR MEDICAL ATTENTION?
The main medical center is inside the tent on Silver Hill. Minor aid can be obtained along the course at the handler stations if an EMT is present. All of manned aid stations will have basic first aid kits and electrolyte caplets. We have HAM Radio communication at all handler stations in order to connect injured runners with medical personnel.

ARE THERE MANDATORY MEDICAL CHECKS?
Yes, at Camp Ten Bear (miles 47 and 70) and at Bill’s (mile 88). At these checkpoints, every runner must check in with medical staff to undergo a brief evaluation that may include being weighed or otherwise evaluated. All decisions and evaluations are up to the medical staff.

FOR WHAT REASON(S) WOULD THE MEDICAL PERSONNEL STOP ME FROM RUNNING?
Medical staff will be monitoring for significant weight loss, weight gain, trench foot, Rhabdomyolysis, and Heat Stroke/Hyperthermia.


The Start and Finish

WHEN DO THE RACES START?

  • The 100 mile starts at 4:00 a.m. Saturday.
  • The 100 K starts at 9:00 a.m. Saturday.

WHAT ARE THE CUT-OFF TIMES? 

  • The 100 mile cut-off time is 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
  • The 100 K cut-off time is 5:00 a.m. on Sunday.

WHEN WILL THE WINNERS FINISH? 

  • For the 100 mile, the first male will finish in about 15.5 hrs (around 7:30 p.m.) and the first female in about 17.5 hrs (9:30 p.m.).
  • For the 100 K, the first male will finish in about 9.5 hrs (6:30 p.m.) and the first female in about 11.5 hrs (8:30 p.m.).

WHERE EXACTLY IS THE START?
The races start slightly downhill from the main tent on Silver Hill Meadow, under the starting line banner. Both races proceed down the hill.

WHERE EXACTLY IS THE FINISH?
The finish line for both races is in the woods behind the main tent on Silver Hill Meadow.


The Schedule

WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE PRE-RACE BRIEFING BE HELD? 
4:30 p.m. Friday in the main tent on Silver Hill Meadow.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE PASTA DINNER FRIDAY EVENING?
Immediately following the pre-race briefing. approx 5:00 p.m. Your Bib is YOUR MEAL TICKET! Family and friends and pacer meal tickets ARE NOT included in your entry fee. Extra meal tickets will be available at the Merchandise Table.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE SUNDAY POST-RACE BBQ?
In the main tent at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Your Bib is YOUR MEAL TICKET! Family and friends and pacer meal tickets ARE NOT included in your entry fee. Extra meal tickets will be available at the Merchandise Table.

WHEN ARE THE AWARDS?
Sunday at about 11 a.m., immediately following the post-race BBQ.


Running with Horses

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT RUNNING WITH THE HORSES?
The horses will not run you over; they actually want to slow down to your pace. If a horse and rider want to pass you, speak with the rider and step aside if asked to. If you want to pass a horse, speak with the rider and wait until they says it’s okay. At night, in particular, talk to the rider as soon as you’re within earshot; until the horse knows you are a human, the horse may be frightened.  And above all, don’t point your bright flashlight towards horses – they like that even less than us runners do!

VT100 - Running with the Horses


Weather

WHAT TIME DOES THE SUN RISE AND SET?

  • Sunrise is approximately 5:26 a.m. Saturday and 5:27 a.m. Sunday.
  • The sun will set Saturday evening at approximately 8:25 p.m.

WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE TEMPS?
At night, it is usually in the 50’s, but could be in the 40’s or 60’s. During the day, it is usually in the 70’s, but could be in the 60’s, 80’s or 90’s.

WILL IT RAIN DURING THE RACE?
It could and has, but on average does not. We’ll give you the latest weather forecast at the pre-race briefing. Bring a raincoat and an extra set of shoes/socks just in case.


Pacers, Crews & Handlers

WHERE CAN I FIND A PACER?
You can request one in advance via the Pacer section on our website. On Friday at registration, look for John Bassette in the yellow West Point baseball cap. All pacers must get and wear a bib number during the race.

VT100 - Pacers

WHERE CAN I PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO MY RUNNER?
Crews are allowed at handler access aid stations only. Helping your runner at non-handler access aid stations is NOT allowed and can be grounds for runner disqualification. There are 8 handler access aid stations for the 100 mile and 6 for the 100 K. It will take roughly 35 minutes for crews to drive from Silver Hill Meadow to the first crew access aid station. Please see the Handler Instructions for answers to the following common questions and more:

  • Where are the handler aid stations?
  • How do I get to Camp Ten Bear from Silver Hill?
  • Where can I park at the Handler access aid stations?

WHERE CAN I GET GAS, ICE, FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES?
There are a number of great, local country stores in the towns of South Woodstock, Taftsville, Hartland, Brownsville, Reading and Woodstock. For more information, see our blog post on local establishments.

WHAT WILL THE RACE OFFICIALS BE WEARING?
They will be wearing yellow t-shirts that say ‘Race Official.’


Miscellaneous

ARE THERE SHOWERS AVAILABLE POST-RACE?
There is one very rustic shower available in woods near the camping area on SilverHill. There is also a small pond for swimming.

WHAT IS VERMONT ADAPTIVE?
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a non-profit, volunteer based organization which provides competitive and recreational athletic opportunities, equipment and instruction for people with disabilities. Your entry fee and all money raised during the event goes directly toward provision of these services.

WILL THERE BE ROAD CLOSURES?
Our race depends on our neighbors and gracious landowners! The local landowners are extremely tolerant of us every year. We have been asked to reduce traffic and noise around the race course. We absolutely must keep the noise down at Silver Hill Meadow and keep event-related vehicles off of some specific roads. In an effort to maintain good relations with the local community, there will be some clearly marked road closures. Violation of these closures could easily result in the termination of our event. In 2015, we revised the driving directions to Silver Hill and between authorized Handler Access Aid Stations. Please be aware and respectful of all road closures and help spread the word.


Still have questions? Visit the VT100 blog for more helpful information, or of course don’t hesitate to ask me!

-Zeke

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Your Race Weekend Checklist

Your Race Weekend Checklist

There’s so much to do, know, and get ready for when it comes to arriving at Silver Hill on race day with a clear mind and ready to race. So, we want to arm you with a quick VT100 weekend checklist in hopes it’ll help you remember a couple key things! 


To Download

Download and read the following prior to arrival. Cell service on Silver Hill Meadow is spotty at best and there will NOT be copies available at check-in:

Additional “Important Race Forms & Links” available in our Resource Center.


About Drop Bags

Above all, be sure to fill and properly label Drop Bags with your bib number, last name, and the aid station name.


Remember to Pack 

  • Reusable water bottle or cup (VT100 is a cupless race!)
  • Flashlight and/or headlamp
  • Bug Spray for you and your crew
  • Rain gear
  • Sunblock and hat
  • Cash and credit cards, so you can buy race merch (personal and traveler’s checks are NOT accepted)

VT100 Light!

Don’t Forget to Bring

  • Your patience for other human beings.
  • Your cooperation in adhering to road closures and speed limits.
  • Your respect for the distance.
  • Your gratitude for the private landowners who make the VT100 possible.

See ya soon!

-The VT100 Race Committee

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Interviewing the VT100’s Camp Ten Bear Aid Station Captains

Interviewing the VT100’s Camp Ten Bear Aid Station Captains

A 4-Question Interview with the Camp Ten Bear Aid Station Captains

In this post, we chat with Carolyn Shreck and Josh Katzman. Carolyn and Josh of the TARC running club captain the Camp Ten Bear aid station, which plays a crucial role in supporting runners at both miles 47 and 70. This spot is known for being nearly half way to the finish and for where you can finally pick up your pacer.

Let’s see what they had to say!


Q. What are you responsible for at Ten Bear? How long have you been volunteering there? How did you get involved?

Carolyn Shreck: I’ve toed the start line three times at VT100. Ten Bear was, hands down, the most memorable aid station for me as a runner, so when I decided to volunteer I knew Ten Bear was where I wanted to be. In 2016, I shadowed Mike Silverman, Mark Kruger, and Josh doing anything that was needed. This year Mike, Surjeet Paintal &  I will be there with a team of awesome Trail Animals Running Club (TARC) volunteers to help runners accomplish their amazing goals.

Josh Katzman: I’d say that my role is mostly behind the scenes. I try to beat the drum to get as many people as we can to show up to make sure Ten Bear runs as smoothly as possible. Because it is used twice during the race, we’ve got nearly 24 hours we’ve got to cover!  I’ve been helping out in that capacity since 2015, but I have only been able to help out on site in 2016 because my family is usually on vacation during the VT100.  I’ve spent time at the aid station as a runner and crew though, and it really is the most energetic place in the race (except maybe the start and finish!).  In terms of getting involved, I blame Mark. It’s all his fault.


Q. Since runners pass through twice and it’s a crew access point, Ten Bear can be a pretty hectic aid station. How do you successfully keep the chaos in check? Is there a secret sauce to running a well organized aid station?

Carolyn: Runners, volunteers, and especially Crews all reported that the 2016 setup at Ten Bear was the most efficient ever. Mike Silverman and Mark Kruger reorganized traffic flow to a ‘one way’ and got permission from a landowner to use a nearby field for crew parking. These changes drastically cut down congestion and chaos. Some crews were initially a little resistant to not being able to drive through the aid station and park where they had in the past, but later agreed the new system worked well.

Josh: The absolute key is having people like Mike, Mark and Carolyn who have been running these events and aid stations at other events for a long time. Just like a race, you have to be unflappable. If issues come up, like parking, you just need to figure out a way to troubleshoot. Mike’s big win last year was talking to the farmer at the end of the road so that we could park cars in his hay field. That made a huge difference because parking is always so tight there. It’s also important to remember that this should all be fun. Because of the incredible team of people and the tons of experience they bring on both sides of the race, things definitely go well!


Q. What Camp Ten Bear aid station specific advice would you give to first time runners?

Carolyn: Runners have access to Drop Bags and Crews at Ten Bear. There is a lot of activity (and friends!) there that could add up to many minutes of wasted time if runners aren’t careful. I encourage runners to have a solid mental checklist as they come into Ten Bear of what they want to accomplish so they can efficiently get in and out without wasting time or forgetting anything. When I’m running into an Aid Station, I repeat the list in my head in the order I’m going to do things: “garbage” (dump empty wrappers), “water” (hand bottles to volunteer), “feet” (change socks, shoes and treat blisters), and, “restock” (grab what I need from my drop bag). After they have called out their bib number, I encourage runners to just shout out their needs  as they are running into Ten Bear, so volunteers can help them efficiently. Something like, “I have a drop bag, number 374,” or, “can someone please fill these with Tailwind,” or, “I need to see medical”. We want to help, please tell us what we can do to help make your race successful! And always, always, always thank the volunteers!

Josh: When you leave Ten Bear the first time, you’ve got a pretty tough road climb to get out of the aid station. Just remember, even though you will soon pass the halfway point after the first visit, you are going to need your quads for those last 30 miles. I think I went too hard between miles 50-70 and it forced me to drop at mile 92!  These miles will catch up to you if you aren’t mindful of the downhills, especially. When you leave Ten Bear the second time, you’ve got a pretty long trail uphill once you cross the street. Try to jog the flat out of the aid station, and know that in 4-6 minutes you’ll have a hill you can hike/recover on if you need.

In terms of getting through the aid station, I think you should look for ways to cool yourself down. In 2016, we had buckets of ice water that we sponged people off with. Get some of that on your neck/head! You have access to a lot of water and Tailwind on the course. You won’t have access to ice or sponge baths as much.

We’ve also got port-a-potties. Use them if you need! Drop bags will be on your left when you come in. There are a lot, so make sure your name and bib number are all on your bag really clearly and large. If you have a crew, tell them to pick up your drop bag before you arrive. If you are solo, write “SOLO” on your drop bag, just so we will know you’re on your own!  And it’s tempting, because Ten Bear has so much energy, but tell yourself that (aside from any acute issue that needs to be addressed), you will spend no more than 3 or 4 minutes when you visit.  If you know you get stressed out by a lot of movement/people moving around, plan on spending even less time at Ten Bear.

As for Medical advice, I dropped at mile 92, so I’m probably not the best person to ask. In those last 30 miles, any difficulty or challenge gets compounded exponentially. You’ve got to be honest with yourself about your status, otherwise you won’t be able to change anything.  And this year’s crew at Ten Bear is, probably, the most experienced and knowledgeable that we’ve had there, so use them if you have any questions or problems. And address chaffing/blister issues. We’ve got a full medical staff at Ten Bear. They’re awesome.

Mostly though, DON’T FORGET WHERE YOU GOING! If it’s your first time through, you LEAVE UP THE HILL!  If it’s your second time through, follow the direction of all the parked cars – you’ll leave the same way they do!  


Q. What aid station specific advice would you give to first time volunteers? What makes a good aid station volunteer?

Carolyn: Anyone can volunteer! You totally don’t have to be a runner, know anything about running, or have ever volunteered at anything ever before. You will be parking and checking in at the volunteer desk at the start/finish area and then be transported by shuttle to Ten Bear. When you arrive please find me, Mike, or Surjeet to check in so we can assign you to a location like parking, food prep, traffic control, or water. Once you’re at your station shadow a veteran volunteer to see what they are doing and especially how they approach and talk to runners. Bring a small bag of personal items you may need for the hours you will be there, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, jacket, special foods, etc. Home baked goods are always the biggest hit at an aid station, so if you want to bring cookies, rice krispie treats, other baked good please do! Runners might even hug you for it, I know I have! Do not bring valuables you might have to leave unattended, make sure everything like cellphone and wallets can stay on you at all times! And lastly, as much as we all love them, please do not bring pets of any kind.

Josh: If you’re helping out for the first time, there are definitely some things you can do to help yourself out:

  • Water: Bring a lot of water and don’t forget to drink it!  It will get hot/humid and you will be exhausted.  
  • Food: Bring some of your own food. Yes, enjoying the fruits of an aid station is wonderful, but one does start to feel a bit “blah” after many hours of potato chips, M&M’s, and grilled cheese.
  • Sun Protection: If you use it, sunscreen would be huge.  As would a hat.
  • Comfortable shoes: You’ll be on your feet most of the time, so I find I actually prefer to have my running shoes on (and you never know when you may need to jog up the hill with a runner!), and always bring at least two pairs in case one gets wet during the day.
  • Don’t be concerned about: “not knowing what to do.” Most runners simply need someone to speak to, to vocalize their concerns/worries. Tell them they’re looking good, and that you are impressed by what they are doing/have done. If you want some specific troubleshooting knowledge, talk to the experienced volunteers before runners start arriving. They can definitely give you some ideas that you can start helping runners troubleshoot with if you want.  But if in doubt, get one of those “vets” or the medical team to help you with a runner.
  • And never forget: the best volunteers are those that make every single runner feel like he or she is the most important person in the world.  If you can help people feel like a rockstar, whether he/she is in first or last, that is the sort of positive emotion that will get them to the finish line.  If you can make each runner you see on the day feel this way, well, you will be the rockstar!

Finally, and totally selfishly, those volunteers that bring some awesome food to share with the other volunteers?  Yeah, they’re always super popular!


Now that you’ve heard from the captains 

Are you interested in volunteering to help out at the VT100? Check out our post that covers all you need to know about volunteering, including links to sign up.


*Note About Interviewing

*The VT100 is proud of all of the participants of our events, from the racers to volunteers to land owners who grant us access to their beautiful property to enjoy the weekend. So, we like to take time to feature some of these people and get an inside look at their perspective on the race and how they help make it thrive. If you know anyone who would make a good interviewee, please contact us in the form below and we’ll see what we can do! 

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5 Questions with Kyle Robidoux – A 2017 AWD Participant

5 Questions with Kyle Robidoux – A 2017 AWD Participant

The 2017 Vermont 100 will be the first ultra ever to formally recognize Athletes With Disabilities with an awards division for ultra runners with visual or mobility impairments, and we’re so proud to bring you this interview with Kyle Robidoux in anticipation.

Kyle Robidoux: A 5-question interview on being part of the 2017 VT100 as an AWD


Kyle’s Story

Kyle Robidoux - at Pineland Farms 50-miler
Kyle at the 2017 Pineland Farms 50-miler, alongside his guides, Nat, Nicole, and Amy.

Kyle Robidoux is an ultra runner from Boston who will be among the historic inaugural cohort at this year’s 2017 VT100 recognizing athletes with disabilities.

Kyle has completed many marathons, including completing the Boston Marathon twice in one day by running out to the starting line, and then running back to the finish! He’s also run the Vermont 50 at Mount Ascutney, Ghost Train Ultra in New Hampshire, and Pineland Trails Ultra in Maine.

Born with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition that gradually limits an individual’s field of vision, Kyle is a Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports participant and will be competing in the VT100’s new visually impaired awards division. This will be his first 100 mile race.

When Kyle is not running, you can find him hanging out with his wife and 9 year old daughter, Lucy, enjoying an interesting micro-brew, and advocating for inclusion as the Director of Volunteer Services at the Massachusetts Association for the Blind.


The Interview

Q. How has your training been so far? How do you train for trails while living in the city?

Kyle: My training has been on-point and I am hitting all of my weekly mileage goals.  Living in the city definitely makes it a challenge to run trails and hills. I spend a lot of time doing multiple hill repeats on the steepest hills in Boston. Thankfully, I have some great friends and sighted guides who also drive/run with me to nearby trails such as The Fells and Blue Hills.


Q. We’re about four weeks away from race day. What does your training block look like for the next four weeks?

Kyle: The last three weeks of my plan will be my largest training block to date. Each week will set a new weekly high for mileage which is exciting and keeping me motivated. I am focusing on back-to back-to back runs Fridays-Sundays to train my body and mind to run on tired legs. I am very thankful for my family’s patience with my training.


Q. What are your race goals and what is your race day strategy?

Kyle: My A+ stretch goal is just under 24-hours. This hopefully will keep me motivated to keep moving forward. My B goal is 26 hours and C is to finish. My strategy is to keep an even effort for the first half while knowing that the terrain is more challenging the last 30 miles. For trail running, terrain often dictates my pace/ability to run/walk (except for hills), so I will be smart and take what the trails give me. Quote from a VT finisher from last year: “Don’t run like an idiot the first 50, and don’t run like a wimp the second 50” will be my mantra.


Q. Who will be guiding you?

Kyle: I am incredibly grateful to have six runners who are sharing their sight as guides and some of whom are driving up from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I’m honored to have Amy Rusiecki guiding me for the first 15 miles and whose leadership, along with the race committee, made the Athletes With Disabilities division possible. A few of the guides I train with on a regular basis, a few I will meet the weekend of including my Team Nathan teammate Maggie Guterl.


Q. Do you have any advice for race directors on including an Athletes With Disabilities Awards Division at their ultra?

Kyle: Much like other divisions, runners take great pride in being able to participate in a division of their peers. The same holds true for runners with different abilities. I encourage Race Directors to reach out to local athletes and organizations that support athletes with disabilities to begin a conversation on how they can make their race inclusive and open to all runners.


A little Extra


*Note About Interviewing

*The VT100 is proud of all of the participants of our events, from the racers to volunteers to land owners who grant us access to their beautiful property to enjoy the weekend. So, we like to take time to feature some of these people and get an inside look at their perspective on the race and how they help make it thrive. If you know anyone who would make a good interviewee, please contact us in the form below and we’ll see what we can do! 

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Know your VT100 aid stations

Know your VT100 aid stations

The BEST aid station competition can get hot and heavy at the VT100. Here are some highlights on who’s manning the spots.

Remember, these volunteers pour their all into this long day and at the end of the race we’re going to ask you who you thought was the absolute best. So, study up!

Pretty House (mile 21.3) – The Shenipsit Striders 

The Shenipsit Striders are a running club in northern central CT that enjoys being on the trails – whether trail running, snowshoe running, or orienteering. The Striders put on classic New England trail races such as the Nipmuck Marathon and Soapstone Trail Race. They have at least one runner competing, but as always, will be a great presence at the race with crewing and pacing duties. This club likes to have fun, and there is no doubt they will have a great theme and run an efficient aid station.

Stage Road (mile 30.3)

 

Route 12 (Mile 33.3) – The Western Mass Distance Project 

The Western Mass Distance Project is primarily a competitive road running club, based in Western MA, but has runners competing in trail running, mountain running, and snowshoe running. WMDP annually hosts a cross country race that is part of the USATF-NE series. The folks working the aid station will be crewing and pacing for their one runner after the aid station closes. We are sure they will have a great theme – these are the girls who ran around in ‘Team Amy’ shirts with pink feathers in their hair last year. The only thing they like better than running fast is having some fun (typically with a beverage in hand!)

Camp 10 Bear (47 & 69.4) – TARC

 

Lincoln Covered Bridge (mile 38.2) – Trail Monster Running

Trail Monster Running is a trail running group in southern Maine who are passionate about the trails and love to get dirty – whether trail running, snowshoe running, or competing in the National Wife Carrying Competition. They host numerous races, including the Pineland Farms Trail Running Festival (which is one of the best parties in New England!). They may only have a few runners competing in the 100 miler, but they will certainly bring a large and enthusiastic group to VT100. Their finish line party at the Pineland Farms races is legendary, they also have fun with some cowboy themed aid stations at that race – we anticipate they will have a great time and do a great theme at our race.

Birmingham’s Aid Station (mile 53.9) – Gil’s Athletic Club

Gil’s Athletic Club is a running club based on Topsham, MA, and beyond running, they have known to bike, swim, and drink plenty of beer. GAC puts on the popular Stone Cat races and a 6 Hour Trail race. As always, GAC will be at VT100 in huge numbers, to support the 6 GAC runners competing in the 100 miler. The Stone Cat races are named after a local beer (or maybe vice versa) – they are known to have the actual Stone Cat (someone in costume), as well as Stone Cat ale (and often other alcoholic options) at their races.

Margaritaville (Mile 58.5) – The Frozen Fins

The Frozen Fins from the Vermont Chapter of Parrotheads in Paradise, a Jimmy Buffett fan club, will be returning to run Margaritaville. This group has volunteered at an aid station since the beginning of the race! We hear they may have a Steel Pan group performing during some of the race. These guys have been voted BEST Aid Station a number of times and hope to repeat again this year. This is the aid station that set the bar for decorations, music, style & attitude!

Spirit of ’76 (Mile 76.2) – Zeke & the RWB Crew

Zeke and his red, white, and blue crew will be stepping up to bring you the best of Americana aid station food, drinks, and snack.

Bill’s (mile 88.3) –

 

Polly’s (mile 94.9) –  

Rob Mather will be organizing the folks from the Red Cross again to make you all feel welcome at Polly’s.

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