July 5, 2025

Event Overload!

Fair warning to all that I have offficially reached the point in the year/summer where there are so many things going on that I am confident I have missed something, so let me know if/when I do! This just goes to show how jam-packed summer becomes with runs, races, etc – read on below for more on what is in store in just the next 2 weeks around the region!

Meanwhile, we spied Dick Ferno making the front pages (i.e., the newsletter) for Run Vermont, as a participant in their First Sweat series. Check out Run Vermont’s ongoing summer schedule here.

Stay cool and see you all around at races, runs, parades, and track meets!

Happy running,
Heather

Newsletter Highlights and Contents – June 29 – July 6

• Trail Run Season is in Full Swing – check out the details below on Monday evening trail runs and note we have a new meeting spot for the Monday run – at the North Branch Nature Center, rather than at the (very busy) pool!
• Bear Swamp is July 12 – sign up for this fun race and note that Mark and Manny are in need of some volunteers – if you can help out, sign up on the website!
• Next All Comers Track Meet is July 10! Note there is no meet this Thursday July 3 (run the Montpelier Mile instead if you need to get some speedwork in). The CVR site has updates on what events are happening on which nights – but hope to see many of you at the next meet – we had a blast at the first meet last week!
• July 3rd – ORO’s Montpelier Mile! We are set on volunteers for the Montpelier Mile, but encourage everyone interested in running this fun race to pre-register now! More details below!
• Memorial for Nathan Suter – see below for more details, and to RSVP. This will be happening on July 26.
• Leaf Peepers Registration is OPEN! It’s a great time to start training for this fun and fast fall half marathon and 5K – details below. Volunteers always needed too, so if you’re interested and available, please sign up on the CVR website today!
• CVR 45th Birthday Event – August 17 in Elmore! Save the date – lots in the works planning this fun event but make a note on your calendar to be free on the 17th for CVR’s birthday. More to come but you won’t want to miss it!
• New apparel and kits – We are very close to having options to share, check your inboxes in the next few weeks! 

Newsletter Contents:

CVR Birthdays

Race recap: Birdland Trail 5K

CVR Members Out and About: Mt. Washington Race the Cog

Race Updates and Volunteer Needs 

Spotlight: Sue Hackney Conquers the Long Trail

All Comers Track Meets are Back – next meet 7/10

CVR/ORO Race Series Standings

Trail Runs – Monday Trail Runs; no run scheduled (yet) for July 5

Fun Run – Tailgate at DoL on July 1

Memorial for Nathan Suter on July 26

CVR Book Club Review – Reviews Wanted!

Other News, Opportunities, and Classifieds

Race photos and results: Birdland Trail 5K

A beautiful day for the Birdland Trail 5K this year – part of our ORO/CVR race series and put on by sponsor ORO. Thanks to ORO for the great experience – see you all on the trails this summer and at this race again next year! Results are available here.

Mount Washington Race the Cog

Members Darrel Lasell, Cheryl Lasell, Jenn Gordon, and Donna Smyers took on the Race the Cog challenge this year in the low-visibility-but-high-fun. Nice work all!

Race Updates and Volunteer Needs

July Events:

• July 3rd – ORO’s Montpelier Mile! There’s still time to sign up to run this fun and fast traditional race. Support our sponsor by signing up to run today! Online registration closes at midnight this Tuesday July 1, there is day-of registration available but it helps organizers immensely if you pre-register!
• Bear Swamp – July 12 – this race had to be cancelled last minute last year due to the flood damage in Middlesex, but we are hopeful that 2025 can break the July 10 curse from 2023 and 2024, and that this weekend remains heavy rain free! Registration is open now! Sign up to volunteer as well using the link below.
• Barre Heritage Trail 5K – July 26 – registration is now open for this fun trail run! Sign up to volunteer as well using the link below.
• All Comers Track Nights – Thursday evenings at U-32 on July 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st!

On Deck for Late Summer (Aug-Sept):

• Berlin Pond – August 14 – you know this race and love it! Come out to race 5 miles around the iconic Berlin Pond for fun prizes. Sign up today, or express interest in volunteering via the website link below.
• Northfield 5K, Power Walk, and 1-Mile Kids Race – August 30 – sign up today for this fast and fun 5K over Labor Day weekend! Volunteers also welcome, sign up below.
• Groton Forest Trail Races – September 6 – our sponsor ORO took over this race and we are thrilled to support them. Sign uptoday or reach out to ORO if you’re interested in volunteering!
• Sodom Pond – September 17 – more info to come when registration opens, but mark your calendar for this lovely late summer gem of a race!

Dreaming of Fall Already? Leaf Peepers (October 5) registration is now open, and you have plenty of time to start training for the half marathon, so think about signing up! 

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CVR cannot put on races without volunteer support, and your help is always needed. Please volunteer now to help the race directors fill necessary jobs and plan for full race day support. Volunteer now online using the Volunteer link on the CVR website homepage at https://cvrunners.org OR by email to the race directors above.

Sue Hackney is a Long Trail End-to-Ender!

by Sue “Strong Like Bull” Hackney

When I retired in the summer of 2021, my intent was to hike the long trail from end to end (272 miles in 21+ days) during the following summer of 2022. After experiencing a number of running injuries, I thought hiking would be a nice alternative, even though I had never been a hiker and had none of the gear necessary for backpacking. I spent that winter researching gear, buying gear, and watching videos to learn as much as possible to help prepare for my hike. My plan was to do two “shakedown” section hikes (three nights each) before starting my thru hike in August that summer. In June, John took me down to Mendon where the LT crosses Route 4 and off I went with all my new gear and a heavy, 28-pound backpack! It was exciting and a little scary and I quickly learned that the Long Trail is really tough, even if you’re in good shape. Two days of hiking and 26 miles later, I developed a knee bursitis that took me off the trail after two nights. I was really humbled, but at the same time I learned a LOT (since I stayed with a very experienced thru hiker both nights on the trail) and, despite the injury, I enjoyed being out there.

Fast forward two years and many section hikes of the LT later . . . although I had completed all but the most southern 50 miles of the trail in sections and on day hikes, I still wanted to be a thru hiker. I decided on my start date and planned my daily mileage, agonized over how much each item in my pack weighed, lined up my son to join me on one section and fellow runner Ruth Blauwiekel to join me on another section, packed my resupplies, upgraded some of my gear and I was ready! On Monday, August 11, 2024, John dropped me at a side trail (Pine Cobble) close to the VT/ MA border to start my journey north. I never looked back and completed my hike at the Canadian border on September 4, 2024 – 25 days later.

Trail name: “Strong Like Bull” – given to me by my kids
Favorite part of the Long Trail: The ridge walk between Mt. Abe and Mt. Ellen. Lots of great views!
Favorite shelter: Taft Lodge north of Mt. Mansfield. It’s like a palace compared to some of them.
Favorite piece of gear: Garmin Inreach Mini – GPS and satellite communicator – allows me to send messages without cell service and allows John to track me from home as I hike each day.
Favorite trail food: Peanut butter filled pretzels.
Least favorite part of the hike: The two days I spend hiking in 50-degree rainy weather without seeing another soul on the trail.
Things I learned about myself: 1) I have turned into a “shelter girl.” I carried a tent, but it is easier/quicker to set up when you’re tired from the day and break down when you want to get going in the morning – and you don’t end up with a wet tent if it rains. 2) I love to hike alone (or with one other person) and am very comfortable doing so, but
I also love company at the shelters at night. 
Things I learned in general: 1) The term, “hike your own hike” is real and makes sense. 2)There are some great people (I made trail friends!) on the trail and there’s a feeling of “we’re all in this together.”
Future plans: I love thru hiking and am doing the Long Trail again this August! After that, my plan is to solo hike the Appalachian Trail (2,197 miles – 6 1⁄2 months) in 2026 as a thru hiker.

First All Comers Track Meet a Success!

More than 30 runners and field enthusiasts came out to U-32 last Thursday for our first All Comers Track meet of the season! We had heats of the 100m, 200m, 1600m, 800m, and a 4x400m relay, along with some long jumping and other field events (which will be on offer in different variations for each meet). Thanks to all the kids and kids-at-heart who ran or jumped their way to some fun. See you all again on July 10, we are taking this week off, so go get your speed work in at the Montpelier Mile instead! Results can be found here.

2025 CVR/ORO Race Series Standings

We are just about at the halfway point in the race series – how are you stacking up? The updated standings through the Capital City Stampede are here. Some of the divisions are not yet sealed for the year so there’s plenty of time to clinch your spot. And don’t forget one requirement is to volunteer at least once – plenty of opportunities to do so this summer and into the fall so sign up today to help!

Coordinator Joe Merrill works to update these as frequently as he can, so we update on the website whenever possible. Be patient as results can sometimes take a few weeks after races to reconcile. 

A sincere thank you to our sponsor Onion River Outdoors and specifically Allee Pineault for her excellent work putting this together. We will have printed copies of the poster available if you want to share this with any local businesses or publicize at your upcoming races, just let me know!

Trail Runs Updates

Weekly Monday evening trail runs at North Branch/Hubbard Park have begun! Every Monday, meet at the North Branch Nature Center at 5:30 for orientation/intros, group departs at 5:45pm. Currently have an out and back 5k or 10K option – join the group any Monday this summer! Note that the NBNC meet up point is NEW as of June 30,since the Montpelier Pool is a happening place all of a sudden!

Currently there is no scheduled trail run on July 5, but check the Google sheet (or offer to host!), and make sure you’re on the Google listserv – see below for how to join if you are not on it!

If you’re interested in hosting you can take a look at available weekends in the google sheet here. Each week if a run is organized, the details will be updated in a tab in the same sheet, and the host will send out via the CVR Trails Google Group. If you’re not receiving trails emails but want to be, let Mark or Heather know so we can add you to the group.

**If you’re curious about what hosting a trail run entails, check out the host guidelines here.**

Note that an organized Saturday/Weekend run may not happen every week if there isn’t a host signed up. Also as the season is still getting going and with rain and iffy trail conditions, runs may be sporadic – stay tuned!

The smiles of some runners who know that Mack’s muffins are waiting for them at the end!

Fun Run – Tailgate at DoL on July 1

We are back at the DoL meeting spot for Tuesday runs this season, meet at 5:30 for a run of your chosen distance! This Tuesday July 1, plan to bring some snacks to share and hang out with your fellow runners in the DoL parking lot for a little post-run tailgate! Note that alcoholic beverages are not allowed so choose your accompaniments responsibly. Darrel has promised to bring watermelon!

Memorial for Nathan Suter – July 26 Please join for a service to remember, honor, and celebrate the life of Nathan Suter. Date : Saturday, July 26, 2025 Time : 10:00am Gathering Time; Service to begin at 10:30 Location : Chapel at the Greenway Institute (formerly Vermont College of Fine Arts) 39 College Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 RSVP: https://forms.gle/2tdjdmcgLa6vMX7c7.  Please complete the Google form above to help us plan for this event and ensure that we have your contact information. We will share more details about what to expect at a Quaker style memorial service before we gather.

CVR Book Club – Reviews Wanted! Anne Treadwell hosts the Bill Mares Memorial Running Book Library for GMAA and CVR. Members are welcome to borrow books, and book  donations are appreciated. Email ac98@cornell.edu for the list or to arrange a browsing session. Readers are welcome to submit brief running book reviews for occasional inclusion in this newsletter. If you have a submission to share, send to Anne or Heather anytime for publication in the next newsletter!

Other News, Regional Opportunities, and Classifieds Hit the Trail! a 5K Run, Bicycle Ride, and Walk for Healthy Aging on September 6, Morrisville Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA) is hosting Hit the Trail! a 5K Run, Bicycle Ride, and Walk for Healthy Aging on Saturday, September 6th, 2025 on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in Morrisville, VT. This event raises funds to support CVCOA’s innovative programs for healthy aging and individualized support for older adults and caregivers in Central Vermont. This event begins and ends at Oxbow Park in downtown Morrisville. Our bike route heads west from this location, encouraging riders to reach Hyde Park for a 5-mile round trip or Johnson for a 15-mile round trip. The more avid riders can make it to Cambridge and back. The 5K run and walk heads east from Oxbow on an out-and-back course. Following the activities on the rail trail, participants will meet back at Oxbow Park for lunch, lawn games, prizes, and music. Register today at http://tiny.cc/HitTrail.

CVR Birthdays – June 29 – July 12 Jo-Ann BeaudinBrian CarlsonEstherline Carlson ( new age group!) Darragh Ellerson Dan Miller-Arsenault Daniel Voisin  ( new age group!) Elena Gustavson Dennis Casey Cate Hegarty Clara Ayer Stephanie Helburn Nico Plummer-Tripp Nick Becker

Club Details and Information on Benefits Member Benefits Don’t forget that you get many benefits to being a member!Meet, run with, and socialize with other area runners of all abilities.Keep up-to-date on area running races and events.Receive a regular newsletter with race results and club news.Be eligible for the Central Vermont Runners/Onion River Outdoors Race Series.Join a club that’s part of the Road Runners Club of America organization. RRCA is invaluable for insuring CVR races.Become eligible for discounts at these area businesses:**updated** Ski Rack –  15% off regular price running shoes/hiking shoes, run and fitness clothing, nutrition, and run accessories. Discount applies to non-sale items only. 5% off Garmin and Shokz headphones. Discount does apply to special ordering.Onion River Outdoors – 15% off all running gear, including running shoes, running apparel and socks, reflective gear, run vests, etc. Special orders of Hoka and Altra running shoes included.Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel — 10% off running shoesMountain Valley Lotus Massage Therapy — 15% off massages. Quarterly Newsletter Support – Now “Special Editions” Rather than publish a newsletter, we will plan to send out the periodic “special editions” – see above for a call for stories! Membership Renewal – Reminder  John Hackney is our new membership coordinator and is spearheading a change in our membership signup system, stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. However – you can still renew membership via the link on the website at any time!  CVR Equipment Use Anyone wanting to use equipment send Sal (and cc myself) a request that includes 1) Date equipment to be removed from the shed, 2) Itemized list of equipment being removed; including quantities, 3) Date equipment will be returned to the shed.  Please send Sal (and cc the club president) and email to let us know when the equipment has been returned. Race Series We agreed on some new rules for the next year so check out the Race Series site for more details.   Elected Officers President – Heather Tomlins Vice President – Tim Noonan Finance – John Valentine Secretary – Cheryl Lasell At Large Executive Committee: Anne Treadwell & Dot Helling John Hackney: website and timing Donna Smyers: timing Sal Acosta: Equipment tracking/storage John Hackney: club membership tracking Jackie Jancaitis: Race director support Katie Hulbert: Winter Group Run organization Mark Howard: Summer Trail Runs organization Jeff Prescott: MailChimp Administrator Ann Bushey: Youth Running Program Grants Joe Merrill: Race Series Tracking and Awards Dinner MC Darrel Lasell and Jim Flint: CVR Facebook page managers