CVR’s Birthday Bash is Coming Up
August 17 is literally around the corner – next Sunday – will we see you at the Lake Elmore celebration? We certainly hope so – it’s shaping up to be a lovely day (insofar as I like to trust my phone weather app when I like the 10-day forecast, and when I don’t like it, of course I don’t trust it). See notes below on RSVPs and attendance – note that we’ve extended the RSVP deadline to Wednesday (Donna is making a Costco run after that). If you can’t confirm attendance by then, it’s ok! If you end up making a last minute call or suddenly find yourself free on the 17th, please still plan to come on over and celebrate. We will update the details on the website regarding the parking pass waivers as next Sunday approaches. Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, Berlin Pond is coming up this Thursday – join us to run or to volunteer, reach out to Bob at robertsemmons@comcast.net to let him know you can help out if you can! Also programming note – Jackie Jancaitis will have sample sizes of the new CVR Singlets available for try-on at the Berlin Pond registration area, so if you’re not sure what size to order, come over and see what could work for you! The deadline to order is Friday, August 15 so the in-person try-on opportunity is perfectly timed!
Meanwhile stay cool this week at all the various running events we have going on – I may be spotting some trees changing color already but the heat reminds me that summer is still here, if fleeting.
Happy running,
Heather
Newsletter Highlights and Contents – Aug 10-23
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CVR 45th Birthday Event – NEXT SUNDAY, August 17 in Elmore! Check out all the details here, and it’s not too late to RSVP so we know how much food to buy! We are very excited to celebrate with you! See below. 
New apparel and kits – SINGLETS ARE HERE! See below for details on the look, and how to order. Huge kudos to Jackie Jancaitis and Addie Hedges for bringing this merch to life! ORDER DEADLINE IS COMING UP – August 15!- THIS THURSDAY – BERLIN POND! Sign up to run this fun evening race, or help out by volunteering! More info below.
Trail Run Season is in Full Swing – check out the details below on Wednesday evening trail runs and at the North Branch Nature Center! And this Saturday, 8/16, run the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail from Hardwick with host Graham Sherriff. Details below.
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 today – more details below!
Newsletter Contents:
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National Senior Games Updates will be out on 8/11! - Race Updates and Volunteer Needs – BERLIN POND!
- Northfield 5K and Kids Mile Details – August 30
- CVR Singlets! How to Order
- Data Call! Help Bob Murphy Collect Info
- That’s a Wrap on All Comers Track Meets for 2025
- CVR/ORO Race Series Standings
- Trail Runs – Wednesday Trail Runs; Lamoille Valley Rail Trail on 8/16
- Stowe Trails Run Recap by Matt Dugan
- Fun Run – Bear Naked Growler on August 12
- Details on CVR’s Birthday Celebration August 17
- Other News, Opportunities, and Classifieds
- CVR Birthdays
National Senior Games Updates in the Works
Thank you all for your patience – there was a LOT of action in the National Senior Games which concluded on August 4 in Iowa. There was robust participation from CVR, too much to include in this newsletter, but thanks to info sent to me by various on-the-ground participants, especially Jim Flint, you will see a Special Edition devoted just to the Senior Games in your inboxes tomorrow night. Congrats to all the participants, finishers and medalists! CVR came out in force – including not one, but TWO gold medals by our own Bob Murphy!
Race Updates and Volunteer Needs
August Events:
- **THIS THURSDAY!** 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! Volunteers are definitely still needed, so please reach out directly to race director Bob Emmons at robertsemmons@comcast.net ASAP to express interest and he and Sue will give you an assignment! Thank you!
- 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. See more details below as well!
On Deck for September/October:
- Groton Forest Trail Races – September 6 – our sponsor ORO took over this race and we are thrilled to support them. Sign up today or reach out to ORO if you’re interested in volunteering!
- Sodom Pond – September 17 – Registration is now open for this fun late summer evening run in Adamant!
- Leaf Peepers – October 5 – Registration is now open, and you still have time to start training for the half marathon, so think about signing up! This is a large and complex race that is only successful due to incredible volunteer support. If you’re interested in volunteering (you can volunteer AND run if you like! We have jobs for all types of volunteers) – please send an expression of interest through the Contact Us link on the webpage so we can figure out our needs. THANK YOU!
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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.
Northfield Footraces – Fun for All Ages – August 30!
Northfield’s annual Labor Day Weekend festival kicks off with a 5K race and one-mile kids’ run on Saturday, August 30. The 5K race starts at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Northfield, followed by the one-mile kids run at 10:45 a.m. and awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Five-year age group prizes and kids run prizes are provided by Darn Tough Socks and Northfield Savings Bank. The event also serves as the Vermont Senior Games Association state championship 5K road race and 5K power walk. VSGA gold, silver, and bronze medals will go to the top three age 50+ male, female, and nonbinary runners and power walkers, in five-year age groups.
The first early registration deadline is August 19. For detailed race information and to register, please visit https://cvrunners.org/cvr-races/northfield-5k/
Proceeds from the Northfield footraces support running programs for Vermont kids and athletic programs for Vermont seniors. Additional donations benefit The Veterans Place in Northfield. If you are not running or walking, please consider volunteering by signing up on the CVR website or by contacting race director Jim Flint at jimflintvt@gmail.com. Thank you!
The Wait is OVER – Singlets are HERE!
Tanks are available in women’s extra small, small, medium, large. Unisex is available in medium, large and extra large. Other sizing is available upon request and but may be in a different style. T-shirts are also an option. All colors will be approximately the same. Jackie will have sample sizes at Berlin Pond this Thursday if you aren’t sure what to order!
Pictured below is Katie in women’s small:
Back of the singlet:
Luke is pictured in unisex medium and Addie is in women’s extra small:
Joe is in unisex large:
$20 EACH!
ORDERING INFO: Contact Jackie at jackiems08@yahoo.com.
Send your name, email address and size.Orders taken until 8/15. Looking to have them available around 9/1. Pickup will be available at ORO, or shipped if you’re out of the area, but recipient will have to cover postage.
Data Call! Help Bob Murphy Out!
From Bob Murphy: I am in the process of compiling (again) a list of single age and age group records for the 10-miler. That was done in the past but with a lot of good records omitted simply because I could not determine the age at which a particular person ran that time. Age groups sometimes included everyone from 14-29, for instance. I am making an effort to get better information this time. One problem that has arisen is that there are three years for which I have little or no records. For 1977 and 1979, I have brief newspaper results (very skimpy, ages often not given, and times not always given), and for 1994 I have nothing. I would like to have anyone with information on any of those years to sent their information to me at rmm.vt@charter.net.
All Comers Track Meets End on a High Note
Despite the bad luck of one cancelled meet due to T-storm threats and one meet cut short due to an actual T-storm arriving, the Montpelier coach crew of Dylan Broderick, Andrew Tripp, and Seth Jackson put on a great series of meets this summer that were well attended by young and the a little-less-young – congrats to everyone who came out and sprinted, threw, jumped, or just helped out with timing and organizing. We had a ton of fun – please see the overall results posted on the website here. Our friend and co-coach Nathan Suter was deeply missed this summer, but we’re sure would have been thrilled that these events have taken off and have their place in our regular running programs. Cheers and see you on the track next summer!
2025 CVR/ORO Race Series Standings
We are just about at the halfway point in the CVR/ORO Race Series – how are you stacking up? The updated standings through Barre Heritage 5K are here. There are still opportunities to claim a title for this year with 5 races left between now and early October, so sign up for Berlin Pond, Northfield 5K, Groton Forest, Sodom Pond, or Leaf Peepers TODAY! 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 Wednesday evening trail runs at North Branch/Hubbard Park have begun! Every Wednesday, meet at the North Branch Nature Center at 5:20 for orientation/intros, group departs at 5:30pm. Currently have an out and back 5k or 10K option – join the group any Wednesday this summer!
On Deck for upcoming weekend trail runs:
- **THIS SATURDAY!** August 16 – Lamoille Valley Rail Trail with host Graham Sherriff, out of Hardwick
- August 23 – Preston Forest Legacy in Richmond with host Heidi Hales
- August 30 – no run scheduled, support the Northfield 5K!
- September 6 – sign up to run the Groton Forest Trail Races!
- September 13 – no host yet! Sign up!
- September 20 – no host yet! Sign up!
- September 27 – epic season ending trail runs at Trapp Family Lodge!!Hosts Matt and Heidi (Hales) Dugan took CVR to this event last year and it was a hit – see the google sheet for more information. Do not miss!
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!
Four Humans, One Dog Conquer Stowe Trails
On a day that proved daunting for the majority of CVR trail community, Jenn Gordon bravely led Merill Creagh and Matt Dugan through the perils of the Moscow woods. Braving temperatures in the high 60’s—peaking in the low 70’s by run’s end!—the three, relying on only on grit, savvy, and dog Shadow’s leadership, scaled (well, sort of scaled) the Cotton Brook Trail to an indeterminate point in the woods before turning back, the hill crying out, “Enough, brave souls! You have clearly defeated me.”
Shadow gave the trail two paws up for pools to simultaneously jump into and drink from. — Matt Dugan
Fun Run – Bear Naked Growler on August 12
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, we will gather at the Bear Naked Growler following the run – see you there!
CVR’s 45th Birthday Party – August 17!
Join us for fun in the sun at Elmore State Park, the festivities are relaxed and family-friendly. Join at any time during the afternoon/evening of fun, bring your kayak or paddleboard, or your lawn games, and enjoy a burger and some fun surprises with your fellow CVR members. All details are on the website here, and we kindly ask that you RSVP by Wednesday August 13 so we know how much food to buy! Looking forward to the party! We will update on the final logistics and parking details later in the week.
Note that if you don’t RSVP by Wednesday, it doesn’t mean you can’t come! We still want everyone who can come to attend. However, if you can’t RSVP until the last minute or want to make a call on attending the day of because of weather, it’s ok – come over anyway. We hope to see as many of you as can make it, the party will be a LOT of fun!
Other News, Regional Opportunities, and Classifieds
September 14, 2025 – 5th Annual AirPeyton Memorial 5K Walk/Run for Pediatric Cancer Awareness
Registration is open for 5th Annual AirPeyton Memorial 5K Walk/Run for Pediatric Cancer Awareness! This year’s event will take place on September 14, 2025 at 5 High School Drive
***Virtual–wherever YOU are!***
Montpelier, VT 05602, and we can’t wait to see you there!
We hope you will join us for our best event yet! Food Trucks, bounce houses and lawn games, the most epic raffle EVER and, of course….LEMONADE!
Be one of the first 30 to sign up and receive free AIRPEYTON SWAG!
All proceeds go to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to fund pediatric cancer research! Register here.
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 – August 10-23
- Maureen Carr
- Tom Foltz
- Joe Merrill (new age group!)
- Theresa Noonan
- Michelle Risley (new age group!)
- Jay Stewart
- Mark Cioffi
- Zoe Plummer-Tripp
- Brian Lapierre
- Andy Sheehan
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 SeriesWe 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 |
