To all who participated and survived 2009

I must apologize for the weather, it was beyond my control.

The trails you abused, or the trails that abused you, really are an amazing collaboration of scenic vistas and amazing trails on a dryer day.

But the truth is you were all a part of an epic year. A year that will go down as another 2003 where if you had done 10 miles or 20 miles of the VT 50 you had been very successful. Cheers to all of you.

I still have to say it was a very wonderful weekend for me. The Saturday spirit, the crowds of anxious people talking about this year and past years.., the popcorn popping, kids painting magnets, marshmallow roasting, the fire places burning really set the tone of what the weekend has become.

The new venue seemed to work out, the new start seemed more organized, the runner population has grown a LOT. You are like family and we try to keep you a big part of the Vermont 50. You are all welcome to our backyard the last weekend of September.

Next Year it will be SEPTEMBER 26, 2010. Registration is May 25, 2010 at 7 pm EST.

No Pre-Riding or Pre-Running the Course

Due to landowner agreements and future use, there is NO pre-riding or pre-running of the private trails used on the Vermont 50 course. This means during the year and Saturday before the event. Unless you know the landowner and have their personal permission, the Race Committee will have the right to ban any entrants or pacers caught abusing this usage.

Official Race Photos

Check out your photos from the race at SkiPix.com.

Photos are there and they look great!

Aid Station # 8 - Goodman's - new regulation

Due to traffic and parking problems at aid station #8, we will only allow support crews to be transported by van from Ascutney Mt start/finish. All other spectators with cars will be asked to leave. This is from a Sheriff's Dept observation from the last several years. We do not want to lose this section of our race, so this is not a "request", but an enforced regulation.

Start Times

50 Mile pre-race meeting is at 5:15 am. 50k pre-race meeting is at 7:30 am.

You must check in the morning of the race to participate.

Category	Start Time
Expert - Veteran & Senior ll	6:15 am
Expert - all others. Single Speeds	6:20 am
Sport - Veteran. Senior ll	6:25 am
Sport - all others.  Clyde Sport	6:30 am
Novice. Clyde Novice. Tandem	6:35 am
Runners - 50 Mile	6:40 am
Runners - 50 K	8:00 am

Other Notes

Only Racers on Course

Anyone not entered in the event is not allowed on the course, except pacers. We have restrictions with the landowners and we do not want to lose the use of their lands. Please do your part and help enforce this for the future of the VT 50.

Sharing the Course

One of our strengths of this event is providing lots of support to both the bikers and the runners. Please be considerate to each other on the trail. Bikers talk to the runners when passing and runners let the bikers know what would be best for you. We want to make both athletes feel welcome.

Post-Race Dinner

Post-race dinner is not all you can eat. Please, we try to offer the biggest and best variety of home made food we can and there are many of you who finish earlier than others. The plates are big and there is lots of room to pile it on, but for $12, one round is all you get.

Back again

Each year we, the race committee, try to respond to the constructive advice you offer. We hope this year we will show you we listened. As we continue to improve our existing event, we will continue to make the Last Weekend in September, a memorable visit to Vermont for all of you.

Cheers,

Mike Silverman
Race Director

To all Runner Entrants

The Vermont 50 started as a runner's race. Over the years, the number of mt. bikers has grown tremendously, and we've heard that some think we don't provide enough support, especially at the aid stations.

Since 2006, we've made a number of changes to combat that impression. Changes include, but are not limited to:

Adjusting start times to give greater separation between mt. bikers and runnersHolding back some foods and drink for runners, while still providing plenty for the mt. bikers.Making sure everyone understands that the post-race meal is not an all-you-can-eat buffet, so that those who finish later get their fair share.

Saturday Pre-Race Dinner

Dinner will be served at the Base Lodge of Ascutney Mt. Resort.

Mike Silverman
Vermont 50 Race Director

Rules against Littering

Please remember to keep all gel wrappers, flatted tubes, expended air cartridges, et cetera under your control and off the course. The consequences of not doing this may be severe, not only for the violating racer, but for all of the mountain biking community if we lose access to venues.  For some, "off the course" means pitching it into the woods, but we mean "Carry in Carry Out."

This SAG policy for was instituted starting in the 2005 race.

There is a 12 hour limit for the race with 9 Aid Stations at ~ 5 mile intervals.  If any competitor arrives at an Aid Station after the posted closing time of the station, they will be requested, urged strongly, and then TOLD to get in the van for free transportation back to the finish area at Ascutney Mountain Resort.  Course sweepers will follow the last competitor into each Aid Station and coordinate with Radio Race Control to track each entrant. Our purpose is to NOT lose anyone in the woods!!  We ask for your co-operation from those that cannot keep up a pace of 4.16 mph (14 min, 24 second miles).  You will be able to leave Drop Bags in the basement at Cunningham's Ski Barn.  These bags will be destined for Aid Stations 3, 7 & 9.