A small samplings of the comments from Vermont 50 racers over the years:
2010Hi there. First I would like to say, although just a spectator, what a great event this past weekend! I am just getting into running and felt so inspired by those participating. Additionally, the event was
so well run, it really made for quite a memorable experience. Kudos to you and your team! As a group of "first timers" we were amazingly impressed with the organization and commitment you all demonstrated to the cause! You have created a real Community event and please let any landowners know for every one impolite participant, there are hundreds who are truly grateful and impressed by their generosity of land and spirit!!! I had the best time! Everyone was so supportive, encouraging, and friendly!
Thank you!!!! This was my first VT 50, but it won't be my last! What an exceptional event - your communication was excellent, the registration was smooth and easy, the sponsors were great, the pre-race meeting and check-in went well, and the race itself was a blast! I had no idea that spending over 7 hours on my bike (I was not fast!) could be so much
fun. The other riders were friendly, the single track was SWEET, and the aid stations blew me away. I don't know where you find your volunteers but they really made the race for me. Everybody was smiling, laughing, telling stories and just having a good time and it was infectious, and the crew making grilled cheese sandwiches get extra credit!!!!
So, THANK YOU!! It was truly a magical event and I look forward to many more.
Regards,
After hearing so many great things about your race, I knew I had to make it my first 50 miler. And you delivered a truly awesome experience! Loved the course, the volunteers, and the athletes. Everyone was so nice and helpful and encouraging. Don't mess with perfection - keep up the great work! PS: One suggestion: Add a forum to your website where the athletes can share stories, tips, ideas, and their VT50 experience. That would also help me
locate the owner of a pair of sunglasses I found in the parking lot. Anyone ask for them? They were kind of banged up so I doubt it but I thought I'd ask. Mike, Thanks for all your work and please relate to as many landowners as possible how much we appreciate their generosity in allowing us all to enjoy their part of VT. Thanks Mike for an awesome event. The atmosphere and scenery are unsurpassed.
That is so sad that one person can
destroy a good relationship for over a thousand. In my pack we came across a few landowners and everybody waved and thanked them for allowing us to be on their trails. I hope she knows who she is and fesses up and apologizes. After last year and all the damage on the land I was and still is amazed that we can come back and play! Great time this year see ya next year.
Another thing I noticed was the high number of goo, food, etc wrappers (even some bottles
and clothing removed when it got warmer) left on the trails well outside of aid stations. Quite frustrating to see so many people being such .... I'll leave it at that. Just because signage has to be taken down doesn't mean that people should have to pick up trash too.
I really enjoyed the community warmth and acceptance of people running and riding in some cases a mere number of feet from their front or back porch. Thanks again for a great race.
On this topic, I ran the
middle leg of the 50 M relay and saw way too much race debris on the trail ( goo packs, wrappers, a few plastic water bottles). U may want to cover this to continue good landowner relationships. From the road... I am so sorry to hear about the unpleasant incident between a participant and the landowner. I am glad you let people know so they can be aware of being friendly to any and all we meet en route. It was my first VT 50, I had only positive
encounters with EVERY single person all day long!!! That's awful about the female cyclist and her rude gesture. I'm glad the landowner realized she was in the minority...it's such a wonderful event for me as a runner and I'd love to come back year after year. Thanks again to you and your entire staff for an amazing race.
I had a wonderful time. I had no idea what 8900 ft of climbing was before Sunday but I do now. You weren't kidding when you said it was almost all up or all down!! Beautiful course and awesome weather...couldn't have asked for a better day.
I was the second female finisher in the 50 miler and was told when I crossed the line that I qualified for entry into the Western States race. I was wondering if you could tell me what I need to do. Just
wanted to say that my husband, Stefan Wilhelm, reported on completion that it was so wonderfully handled and organized that it really made for a great day! Too bad the race attracted such a classy female rider - but I guess there's always got to be one in the crowd. Congratulations on a job well done... Is there any sort of thank you that gets to the landowners from participants? If so, we'd be happy to send something along. I am so sorry to hear about the unfortunate landowner piece.
I was hoping, though I am not sure that it is possible, to get the name of the landowner between Dugdales and Fallon's who cheered us on, and even left a cooler of beer out for the runners?? I cramped terribly at this point, and their encouragment (though I skipped the beer) was what got me through to the next aide station. I really like to send a personal thank you. Really, I thought I was going to have to quit as I could barely place weight on my right calf without causing violent spasms. Think it was about a mile prior to Fallons...
Thanks for a fantastic time!!! Nicely put email.
Hopefully for every bad apple out there, there is a least a bushel of good ones. I know that I had the opportunity to thanks at least one landowner as I passed through his land during the race.
I have two thoughts to address:
1) Did you know that Holiday Inn is planning on going to a Three Night Minimum stay in 2011? The two
night stay was tough to swallow, but we have done it for years now. However, a three night stay is robbery, as we have never stayed even the second night. I am afraid that going to this 3-night minimum will hurt the race greatly. I have enjoyed the many years that I have stayed at the race venue and look to many more to come. Is there any way to battle this? ( Example, Two of us stayed in a King Room at 200$ per night, and we only stayed Saturday night. So, we both paid 200$ for one night's
stay. Next year that would be 300$) If people boycott the Holiday Inn are there enough rooms in the area to accommodate people so that attendance does not suffer?
2) Any thoughts on instituting a "Platinum Club"? Let's say that for people who have done the race more than 12 times would be allowed to enter the race prior to the Online entry date. You could even charge a slight 5% premium. You could cap it to a percentage of the total: Say 5%. This "PC" would reward
long standing participants. The entry would be non-refundable and non-transferable. What do you think? Thanks for another great race. This year I got of the couch and road it. (: Thankfully the weather gods looked kindly upon us this year. You all do such a wonderful job putting together this complicated and labor intensive race.
I thought I would make a couple of comments and suggestions. Since I went out and road it as a "tour" this year I
had a wonderful opportunity to look around and enjoy the scenery.
Perhaps suggesting that bikers all use the same voice commands when approaching runners.
1) Rider Back 2) Passing on your left
I think this would help the runners feel more comfortable knowing that a biker was behind them and that they would be passing on their left.
Additionally, I had an opportunity to see a dozen or so horses out on the roads... what fun to see. (: I encountered about three or on
parts of the single track. I slowed and chatted with all of the riders. They were all so polite and kind as I was moving through.
I bring this up because I'm not sure any of the faster riders would have had time to slow before they intersected the horses.... Just wanted to give you the heads up that our equestrian friends were on the course that afternoon. I would hate to see an accident between horse and bike.
Thanks again, for an amazing race. I never take for granted when I have an opportunity to ride your race.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for one of the most amazing days on the bike. Yet again, you have exceeded all expectations and your professionalism and event creation have gone to new levels! Thank you for organizing all those incredibly generous landowners, finding all the happy and helpful volunteers, maintaining the most awesome and tasty bbq
and "snackage", and putting together an experience to remember for all times!
I look forward to 2011!
PS Go get some sleep! PPS If ever you need a more formal recommendation (or letter of support/appreciation) for your landowners, sponsors, and supporters, then please don't hesitate to ask and I can put something together!
I just wanted to say thank you to you and the rest of the staff for a terrific event this year.
It really could not have been better; the weather certainly was a huge factor in the awesomeness of the day, but the volunteers and the aid station folks and supplies were absolutely phenomenal.
The course was great and well marked, and the festivities afterwards were great as well. The only aspect of the event where I saw room for improvement was the speed of the beer line >:) It took quite a while to get a beer - but the more I think about it, that probably isn't a bad thing. Anyway, I just want to say a heart felt thank you for all the hard work you and your crew put in to make the event such an enormous success. Thanks again, see you next year.
What a fantastic job you all did!! Thank you for all your hard work. When I read your e-mail I was ashamed to hear that "One of our own" riders was responsible for such crass behavior.
I hope in the future we can all work together to keep this event going as well as it does. That means thinking about all the people who give of their time and of those that allow the generous use of their property for this race. Mike & the committee do not ask
much of us. We do need to listen and watch our behavior. Thanks again for a great VT 50!
Thanks again to you and all of the volunteers (and landowners) for another great VT50 this year! Was perfect from start to finish.
Hats off for all you do to make this such a wonderful event. As to the landowner courtesy, we are very fortunate that so many people allow us to run across their property. Hopefully they will not take the actions of one as representative of the group. P.S. One suggestion for consideration.
Rather than charging $20 for a post-race massage (after spending $2.50 for the beer, didn't have enough cash in my running shorts), could we find a massage school that would use this as a training event for their students? Could ask for donations. Have seen this in a lot of other events. Not a big deal either way; just an observation. Everything else was fantastic.
I wanted to take a few minutes to send an email - this was my first VT 50 and it was an
experience of a lifetime! Thank you for putting together such a well supported and organized event. Although I was not feeling well coming into the race, the support and encouragement from the volunteers at the aid stations, other riders, and runners was most amazing, and played a major role in my ability to finish the race. I was pretty much with the same group of riders and runners for the last 20 miles, and although we never exchanged names, the support, encouragement, and kind words
exchanged as we constantly crossed paths was memorable. We were all out there with the same goal of finishing - I'd make room as they passed me on the uphills or single-tracks I couldn't ride and they'd do the same for me as I made up time on the downhills. Never once was there a problem or unkind word. The runners kept me company and I loved sharing the trails with them - they knew I was there just as I was aware of them, and we made way for each other like it was second nature. On the final
descent to the finish, as I passed those runners I'd been sharing the trail with - I will never forget them cheering me on with such enthusiasm! Finishing this race meant so much to me, and although I did the pedaling and walking to get to the end, the volunteers, runners, riders, and everyone involved in putting this race together, helped to make it possible. Thank you again! I look forward to doing it again next year!!! Mike, thanks for putting on a
great race, my third VT 50. I wanted to let you, or someone with your team, know that I had a small incident near the final four mile mark. At that point, the course makes a left turn off of pavement basically onto someone's lawn. I accidentally turned early and ran into a fence, an electric one at that. Obviously I was a little surprised, and slightly shocked! Nonetheless, I am happy to pay for damages, within reason, which is probably just some new wire.
Please let me know as I am very grateful for the now annual ride and would hate for it to be compromised. Thank you for a fantastic effort once again by you and your incredible support staff. It took me 14 years, but I happily returned to run the 50 miler this year. What a great day. The volunteers were superb. The course is much more challenging and much more magical than it was 14 years ago. I will not wait another 14 years to do it again either! See
you next year! Best, Thanks so much for organizing this event! This was my first year, did the 50k, and it was awesome! I'm so grateful to the folks who have allowed us to run and bike through their backyards, front and side yards and have cheered us on. Looking forward to next year's! Jeff Stauch here, entrant for the 50 mile run.
I DNF'ed at mile 47, having missed the final cut-off by about 11 minutes. What a
bummer! The van driver said he hated it just as much as I did.
This said, I do have to say that this race is amazing, and I look forward to making it all 50 next year. What a great race, with solid support, great aid stations and kind hearted volunteers.
Thanks for your work in organizing this! The one thing that really annoyed me during my run was the energy packets I noticed all along the trail. I picked up some as I went along, but I think
it would make sense to simply ask people to NOT use these energy packets during the run. There are enough aid stations throughout to really not have to use these supplements. They get blown away where trail crews cannot find them post run, stepped on and ground under the surface, cows can ingest them, etc. One RD said it best; if you're strong enough to run 50k/m, your strong enough to carry a gu packet to the next aid station. To be honest, I would just NOT allow them or only allow them to
be ingested at the aid stations where they can be properly disposed of.
Just a thought. I had a wonderful time, you put on a top notch event, I tried to say thank you to all landowners I came across, and I will be back again next year. 2009I found it to be quite challenging with the conditions but still really enjoyed it.
Breathe..........
- Cindie
---------------------- Hello, I just
want to say thank you for a great race, great challenge, great peaople, great organization. We will be back. Les moucs moucs dechaines.
- Andree Sylvain and Maryse
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I just wanted to send you a quick note to say that this was the best event I've done in a long time. Sorry I didn't have it in me to make it past mile 46, but I still loved the challenge, scenery, aid station support and special medical support.
An epic day for a special cause! Thanks for putting on a first class event.
- Inge Aiken
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A great big "Thank You" to you, all of the volunteers, the land owners, the folks at Ascutney and all involved for a fantastic job. It was an epic adventure but wonderful all the same. The course, the scenery and the incredible aid stations (full of great food and smiling people) were just incredible. All the more so considering the weather and trail
conditions. Thank you so much for putting this together!
- Mark
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Congrats to you and your team. Enjoyed the biking even with the weather conditions. And most of all am glad to be part of an event that helps others. Please extend a thank you to the volunteers who made this possible (and a special thank you to whomever opened up the showers to us). Take care and see you next year!!!!!
Hello and thanks for the awesome race. It's a beautiful route - stunningly beautiful in the cool morning fog.
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...it was a great first time at the vt50 and i'll be back next year.
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Thanks for a very well organized race and thanks to the volunteers! The cheers where super! The aid stations where fantastics! We will be back next year.....
Thank you from Quebec
- Pat
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Thanks to you and
the team for being such great hosts. For my family and me, we look forward to this annual trip and have already begun the countdown to next year. Additionally, it was a pleasure to meet you in person, albeit briefly as you were cleaning up.
For what it is worth, I agree with your observation.
I thought using the base lodge was an upgrade - if for no other reason than not having to ride down the final little hill with no breaks! And by the way: please make sure that you do something about the weather...!
Thanks again.
- Paul
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Thank you!!! 1st time relay'er and am already thinking about the 50K for '10.
You and your volunteers put on a fabulous race. If I could appreciate how beautiful a place we got to run in (at least
the last 20ish) with all that mud, I can't even imaging the gift it will be dry.
Thanks for all the hard work that let us go out to play. Kind regards,
- Jen Smith
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Even though I missed one turn it was still an amazing day. After 5 min of getting used to the rain it was wonderful. How often do you get to see wilderness when it's wet, soppy and foggy? What a fun adventure. I can't wait to come next year!
Thank you and all the volunteers
for making it all happen! It was my most pleasurable and memorable race I have ever competed in. It was also my first ultra and I'm hooked. I already have 9/26/10 circled . Will see you all again next year!....Rain or Shine. :-)
- Marty Ellowitz #992
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Thank you so much for all your hard work and for all the volunteers there that day. Before Sunday, my longest race was an 8 Miler and that was on the roads in Stowe, VT, nothing like Sunday. It was
the most physical and emotional challenging I've ever put myself through and I still can't believe that I actually finished it. It took me 10 hours but I did it...with many thanks to one of my best friends, John Marchica, who ran it with me and kept me going but also a BIG THANKS for all your volunteers that kept us going with their support and help along the way.
At one aid station, I wanted to fill my camelbak and I was having a hard time opening it because I just didn't have
the strength to do it. One of your volunteers realized this and took it from me, opened it, filled it and re adjusted my straps, etc... It seems like a small thing but it meant the world to me in the moment.
SO, I say HATS OFF to you and your staff/volunteers. You guys are AMAZING!! Thank you for an experience I will carry with me the rest of my life. Not sure I will ever do it again....lol, but we'll see :)
- Samantha Simonds
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Weather is part of the race. No need to apologize.
I DNF'ed on my 1st 50miler attempt this weekend but will certainly return next year to finish my unfinished business in the muds. Can't wait!!!
- Thomas
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Mike, I looked for you (albeit briefly) at the start and the finish of the race to say "hi".
I had every intention of strangling you (ha, ha) and telling you how much "that sucked". But upon further reflection, I realize that I did in fact enjoy myself. I appreciate all of the hard work that you and the others put into this event.
Hopefully I'll see ya next year.
- Crispin Jones
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This was my first 50 mile run. Thank you for making it a worthy one.
I was not disappointed. The course was better marked than most 5K's. I found my way even with muddy wet glasses. I suggest you laugh out loud at any complaints, although I would doubt you would get any in that regard. The day was like poetry, so I stole a few lines from the bard:
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that stomps in Mud with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so clean, This day shall gentle his condition; And athletes in New England
now-a-bed Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That ran and biked with us upon Mt. Ascutney this day.
Thank you for all of your hard work and the attention you paid to detail. Deb Livingston was right about you guys.
Rejoice and Conquer,
- Art Byram
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Thanks for hosting this incredible event. You and the team did a tremendous job despite the weather challenges.
It will be something I will never forget!
- Guy Gadomski
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Hats off to you and the event staff and volunteers. That was a top notch event - from the course, to the aid stations, to the general atmosphere. It was great to hear people's stories as they came off the course, caked in mud and smiling ear to ear! I would rate this as the best race I have participated in.
Thanks,
- Nate Strong
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Hats off to you for pulling off a great event! This was my first VT-50 and I was so impressed with the general level of organization and spirit. On the trail I felt a wonderful vibe of mutual interest and caring. Broken down folks got asked many times "are you ok - do you need something", at 40 miles I began to cramp and out of no where a fellow competitor offered me some electrolyte tablets. Runners were on the ball - a few still with head phones, and the feed stations just got
better; wish I had more time. I look forward to next year and beating my fundraising totals from this year.
All the best,
- Joe Miles
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I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your efforts. I have done this race several times and completed it...this year I bailed out at station 4 due to the conditions and some mechanical troubles. The biggest bruise I have is to my ego but i will be back next year to complete the race. when you have
the dates for next year please let me know so I may put it on my calendar so it doesn't close out on me.
Great Job! ....and great food too!
Thank you,
- Peter G. Moloney
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This was my second year running, and I loved it again! The weather just made it more of an adventure. Thanks for such a great event; the aid stations were wonderfully stocked and staffed, which was a huge morale boost on such a dreary day! Thank the volunteers
for me!
Thanks,
- Willson Gaul
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I was a participant in the 50 mile relay and had a blast!? This was my first VT 50 and I did the last 20 miles of the relay and enjoyed every moment.? The mud just added to the adventure.? My hat is off to the bikers for their perseverance..finish or not! Thanks so much for all of your efforts!? I hope to be back next year!
- Trish Bridgeo
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Thanks so much for putting on an incredible event. Mud and all.. I loved it!
The volunteers were great and numerous in spite of the weather. The food tables were well stocked and I appreciated the variety. I was all about the PB & J.. but my friend that I ran with loved the grapes and coke!
thanks so much! It was my first..and I hope to be back for next year!
- Jen Sorrell
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The Vermont50K was my first 50K, and I had a blast. I hope you guys aren't getting too much negative feedback!
Like you say, the weather is pretty much out of our control. In your position, you pretty much only had two options: A) race in the rain on muddy trails, or B) cancel the race. I came all the way from Dallas, so I would've been pretty much bummed if we had to cancel. Ten times out of ten I would choose muddy trails over cancellation any day.
I hope to come back for the 50M or maybe even the 100M someday. Thanks for a memorable experience!
- MikeH
2008Thanks again to you and your entire crew for your dedication and hard work in putting on an always amazing race.
I enjoyed every earned inch of it!
Sherpa JOhn
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I meant to stop over at some point to shake your hand, but you're very busy and I couldn't run that fast after my race.
You run a top notch event, staffed with the very best people. You should be very proud of them as well as yourself.
This year was my first year gaining entrance into the race, I hope it will be a habit with me as I had a great time.
Once again, thank you very much and I look forward to the event next year.
Sincerely,
Timothy Dufault
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First time for me, had a lot of fun. You do a great job. Such nice people too.
Glen Catalano
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Great job....
I heard great things from friends...
I wish I could have made it but a combination of a nagging injury then some family issues made it impossible to come down this year.... I can't wait to have another shot next year (I finished last year but wanted to go for it again to make a decent time... so I'll just have to get the knee better for next year!).
Craig Bartlett
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THANK YOU! It
was a great race. The aid stations were fantastic and the course was gorgeous! All those volunteers were awesome!!
Carrie
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I completed the 50 mile race yesterday and boy what a great race it was! This was my first ultra-run and you and your crew made it a day I will NEVER forget!
Thank you so much and I look forward to many more years of your great race
Linda Kulinski Barkhamsted
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No... Thank YOU!!! (and your team of volunteers)
An amazing event (again!) considering the Mt. Ascutney management, the dissolving numbers, the threat of flash floods, the landowner issues and many other challenges that you handle so well that no one notices.
I'll set all my alarm clocks to 6:30 PM on May 25th.
Alan
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super event yet again.
well supported. and the trails were really great a tad muddy in spots but nothing like i expected. the weather gods were on our side. I was hoping to take a little better advantage of the party after but was feeling under the weather from the effort which is normal for me!
talk to you later,
thanks again.
bruce
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Thank you, your team and all the volunteers for a fantastic job. Ths was my second VT50 (last year was my first - and first ultra) and it was
perfect. The course, the number and quality of aid stations (awesome food!) and, most importantly, the number of volunteers, landowners and spectators, all smiling and cheering everyone on. Same with all the racers. Really nice group of people. A home run! Have a great winter and see you next year.
Best Regards,
Mark
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Thank you for a great race. I was very impressed with the course marking, I can't imagine the amount of work that went into getting it
done and I don't envy those who have to pick it up. I really enjoyed the variety of terrain on the course, the only thing that could have made it better was a little less cloud cover but that's no ones fault. Emma and i both had a great time before, during and after the race and we've very impressed with the quality of your event.
Thanks again for a great race!
Ian Parlin + Emma Barclay
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Hopefully you were able to sleep in a little this morning. Many
thanks to you and all the volunteers who make this the best 50 mile ultra in New England!
Chuck Hazzard
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Super course and super race!
Special thanks to you and the army of volunteers that put it all together.
The VT 50 is a special event.
Thanks so much for an amazing experience!
John Hickey
Merrimack NH
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My name is Peri and I am the guy you spoke with after I finished the raise and discussed how it is
just fun coming out and enjoying the company of others and having a great time.
Thanks for all that you do because I and the group of friends that attend your race really enjoy the experience. Have a great winter and we will see you next September.
Thanks
Peri Garite
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Thanks again for promoting such a great event!
This was my second one (2007, 2008) and I made myself a promise out there that I would be more physically prepared so I don't cramp up in 2009! I love the course and appreciate how difficult it must be to connect trails year after year. Although it was wet, the temps were good and scenery spectacular. Love those trails and that waterfall.
Matthew J. Domnarski
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Thanks for putting on a great event!
Your staff was very helpful and I enjoyed the great course your organization provided. And the food was perfect for a post race meal!
Regards,
Oliver
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To Mike, Kelly, and to the entire VT 50 staff & volunteers,
I just wanted to say thank you for putting on such a terrific race yesterday. It was my first time racing the Vermont 50, and I'm already looking forward to next season. The course is truly amazing - - the route
was very well marked, had incredible variety, and the aid stations were perfect! Although, the weather might not have been perfect, it seemed
like the trails held up pretty well to the conditions.
Please extend my gratitude and appreciation to the entire VT 50 staff, volunteers, and land owners. You guys did an amazing job, and I will look forward to seeing you all next year.
Sincerely,
Billy
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This is my 6th year in a row biking the
"50" (the first being THE mud year -- yesterday was a DRY day in comparison!). Nice course changes -- I feel nothing was lost and in some senses, overall course feel and character improved. Props to STAB for their efforts year-round on Ascutney and a big thanks to Joe Collins for painstakingly toweling off all of the roots on his trails the night before the race!!
Thank you for everything. The race matures and improves every year.
PS... Only criticism: I'll take a t-shirt over a tote-bag any day!
Thank you right back....what a fabulous event.
Nicole and Stephen Gorman
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Thanks for putting on such a great race, so well organized!! I've helped in marking courses for mt bike races before, but never for a 50 miler that had 3 different events!!! Very well marked! Nice job! Well done! Thank you for
all your had work!
BTW:
I haven't really ridden a mt bike since 2003 (I mostly do 1/2 iron man triathlons and an ironman here and there), but I loved the single track before the 2nd last aid station. That totally rocked!!! I did struggle w/the last 5 miles though - but then again I'm a roadie...
I want to thank you and your wonderful team for running such a suberb event!! It was a special day for sure, the course was marvelous, great single track, unbelievably well marked.
It took everything in my gas tank to finish which makes it all the more special. Mark Sellew
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I was a VT-50 first timer...and I am hooked. I enjoyed meeting you and I thought the event was terrific. I am definitely coming back next year (assuming I get in). Have you ever thought about opening reg early for those willing to make an additional donation (let's say $200) to VASS?
This would help with your fundraising and allow those who do it
to plan ahead for their ride, accommodations, etc. Lastly, how can I order another t-shirt? Do I go to the website?
Thank you,
Andy Willett
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Thanks to you and every one of your volunteers for putting on a terrific event.
I wasn't very talkative at the aid stations, basically standing at the tables trying to figure out what my stomach could tolerate then moving on. I want to be sure to send out the message that everyone at the aid stations was very much appreciated. All were very helpful, friendly and supportive. Thanks to all!
Sincerely, Kelly von Ruden, Plate 621
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thanks for another great time this year. My wife and I spoke with you at the
pre race dinner (we had the 2 kids). this was my first time bringing my family along and even though we had the foul weather to deal with...my wife wants to make the VT50 an annual trip for the family from now on. she is eager to volunteer in the coming years. she was speaking to other women with children and is interested in volunteering to do something for the children on the mountain. we'll see what she comes up with. you can at least expect her and my kids to be at the ready to man aid
stations etc. thanks again and see you next year!
Jeff, Jen, Jack & Lily Carlson
Rocky Point, NY
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Thanks for the 2003 T-Shirts and the Hammer Products
I just made a donation to VASS of $100.00
Thanks for all of the good work you do, putting on a world class event.
Bill Dooley
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2007
WOW! The race and the scenery and all of the people and the weather and the food
and the music--all fabulous! Thanks for putting this on--I know a lot of people who put on much smaller races and I am amazed at how smoothly this all ran--first class all the way!
As a 39 year-old disabled athlete riding my first ever mountainbike race (on a 7 year-old hard tail with flats) I still can say that it was the most fun I have had in years!
My husband--running the 50-mile--missed the cutoff at 26 miles, so it was fun to reverse roles (I usually crew for him) and see
him waiting for me at the last aid station. Hope to see you next year with a full suspension bike!
-- Virginia Bell-Pringle
I wanted to thank you for putting on a great race.
I've done many races similar to this (Leadville, Shenandoah, 24 hour races, etc), but your race ranks near the top, if not at the top in terms of course design, aid station support, course marking and overall organization. I hate climbing but the awesome singletrack made up for it. My goal was to finish under 7 hours as I'm getting older and slower and I just missed. However, to make excuses, I had two flats that cost me 48 minutes according to my Garmin. I can't wait to come back next year, if I can get in, and try to get under 6:30.
Thanks again,
-- Barry
This was an amazing event. I had so much fun. Everyone was so helpful and pleasant. The person who invented these trails is a sadist genius, every time I got up a head of steam the trails knocked it right back out of me.
-- Space Mann
Thanks for the great race. Will definitely be back next year, hopefully bring some friends along. The trails were absolutely the nicest I have ever run on - SPECTACULAR. Thanks for putting this on.
-- Ron
It really was the BEST VT50 I have ever attended. I think the times were also the fastest! Thanks to you Mike and ALL the volunteers! It just keeps getting better. See you next year,
-- Susan Lynch
Thanks Michael for a great race! Please extend our thanks to the wonderful crew of volunteers manning the food stations...they do an incredible job of making sure we have whatever we need and plenty of it. And they all greet us with nice welcome smiles! Saturday nites meal was
perfect and Sunday's lunch was absolutely the best! The cucumber and tomato salad was a great combo...the pulled pork the best I've had! Oh, and the trails were some of the best riding we've done this summer. Happy winter and we'll hopefully get in next year again!
-- Pam, George, and Sam Darling
Thank you. I still can't get over how runner friendly and well maintained those trails were. Great job. No suggestions. Just repeat what you did this year.
Looking forward to next year.
-- Roy
ONCE again i had a FABULOUS day. Maybe i wasn't the fastest. Maybe i didn't win any category.
But i had one great day. I still cant get over how you put together FIFTY miles of incredible trails/riding like you do.
This was my second year doing the mountain bike race. I VERY much look forward to next year's race (lets hope we get the same weather). Thanks again for putting together an unbelievably great race. We couldn't have enjoyed it like we did without you.
Thank You!
-- Pamela Roesch
I am what you would call a repeat customer. This was my 10th Vermont 50, and probably the best one yet. The enormous amount of work that you and your staff have done to grow this event show
in so many ways. Your solid land owner relationships allowed us to cross so much private land and enjoy what is typically not accessible to very many. I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you, and let you know how much I appreciate what you do.
Regards,
-- Bob Beal
I just wanted to express my gratitude for all of the hard work you have done to keep this race such a huge success! The volunteers were wonderful, as usual! The course changes are just great as
well, ( more of those banked corners like the one near mile 45 would be killer.) The runners were very good about picking their spots to let us bikers pass, and very supportive as we raced by. A good time was had by everyone in our group.
Thanks
-- Ron Eldon
1st time participating this weekend in your race . Wow!! Your entire race organization was outstanding. I've been involved on a race committee for a local triathlon in upstate NY with only 250 participants for the last 10
years so I understand some of what it takes to put an event on . I've also participated in hundreds of events over the last 20 years both on a local, regional and national level and it doesn't get any better than this weekend. My (6) friends who also participated last year and this year all told me this would be the case . Only thing I got to say is what's the date next year?? I want to get my accommodations reservations made ASAP!!
Let me know.
-- Tim
Thank you for all the hard
work.... The volunteers were great and I've never seen so much good food on a course before- marathon or other.... I almost forgot I was supposed to be suffering out there on 50 miles of very interesting terrain.... :)
And a special thanks to your assistant at the mic, whose name I apologize - I don't know who gave me a chair to sit down on in my exhaustion and with quad injury and even brought me a root beer- she was awesome!
-- Craig Bartlett
Thank YOU for organizing such a
great event. This was my first 50 miler and your and the rest of the staff's efforts made it so much fun. The volunteers at the aid stations were wonderful, and please pass a very sincere word of thanks to all the landowners for sharing their land and beautiful vistas with us nutty runners (and bikers too, I suppose). Aid station 4 was absolutely amazing... And the Harpoon Octoberfest I drank right after finishing was probably the single best beer I have ever tasted in my entire life.
I think having runners and bikers together improves the event; having the two subtly different cultures makes the whole thing more interesting.
I will definitely return for next years event and you can count me in on the fundraising this time (unfortunately, this year, I was fundraising for a different event around the same time and didn't want to confuse folks. But next year I'm on it for VASS).
Thanks again!
-- Mason
I can not thank you and all of the volunteers
enough for organizing this wonderful event. This was my first time participating in any type of ultra running, and the experience was nothing short of amazing. Having run cross-country in high school and college, the 50 mile course felt like you had magically strung together the most beautiful and challenging trails I have ever seen. Thank you.
-- Sarah Correia
50 Mile Run
Thank you and everyone involved for a GREAT race and day! The Vermont 50K was my first ultra and I loved it. The
trails, the aid stations, the volunteers, and course were just fantastic. You did an amazing job! Many thanks to all the landowners, the police, the community and all of the sponsors.
Thank you!
Best Regards,
-- Mark
Thanks so much to you and everyone involved.
I am sure you've heard this all a thousand times by now, but I really mean it. It was beautiful, the trails were perfect, and the camaraderie between riders and runners alike was as it should be. And the aid stations were filled with fantastic people. I don't even remember the food items, just the friendly and encouraging volunteers.
Best regards,
-- Aaron LaBrecque
Thanks for helping facilitate a great event.
Although my body is battered, bloodied and a bit sore, it was a once in a lifetime experience.
I am a runner 'by trade' and this was my 1st ever mt bike race. It was one of the best organized and well marked races I have ever been in. Great scenery and people.
--
That was truly a spectacular experience as my first 50 miler and event over 50k I couldn't have anticipated a better choice of trails, support or spirit.
I will let others know about the event and see you again next year.
-- Marc Gravatt
Thanks for a great race! I was there as a spectator last year while my husband did the bike race, this year I ran the 50K. I really appreciate all the volunteers and the aid stations. What a great day it was.
Thank you,
-- Susan Farrell
Thanks again for a wonderful race, I can think of very few times I am enjoying the pain so much as at the VT50! I am sorry I couldn't stay for
awards, but I had to get a 6pm ferry beck to Long Island..
Best wishes for next year's plans, and congrats on a wonderful crew of support / volunteers.. they are the best!!
-- Sinead A FitzGibbon
WOW!!! What an amazing race. I have been in a lot of races and I have yet to go to one that is so organized. The trails are beautiful and the volunteers were amazing. Everyone out on the course was so kind and enthusiastic. It was nice to never have to worry about being lost in the
woods. The bikers were extremely considerate and encouraging. I am looking forward to next year. Well most of me is...my legs have a different plan. Thanks again for a wonderful day. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!!!
-- Lisa Hammond
Every time I do this event it gets better and better, Thanks very much to you and all your volunteers!!!!!!!!!!
-- Paul
I wanted to thank you and everyone involved for the Vermont 50. As a "first timer," I got to experience why it is such a
special event. Everyone - from the organizers, the volunteers and the locals cheering to my fellow racers - was so positive and supportive. The day had a great vibe, and I was so happy to be out there riding on an awesome course, on a beautiful day, for a great cause.
All the best,
-- Jenny Liu 2006Thanks again for a fantastic event and perfect organization. I am sorry I didn't get a chance to properly say hello. I was one of the runners from Canada.
It was my first 50 mile race and it was the most painfully ;-) enjoyable experience I have had as a runner. Thanks so much! I will be back!
-- Carsten Quell
I loved everything about the race.
It was amazingly well organized. Food, drink and support plentiful. The other runners (and bikers) were so nice and friendly. What have I left out? The showers were hot, the post race food was great and thank goodness for the cold beer! Thank you again. I will definetly be back next year.
-- Ellen Banthin
I ran the 50K this year instead of the 50 miler so was right in the midst of the bikers when we rejoined the 50 Mile course. I was a bit nervous at first but admit
that without a doubt and without exception every one of them was polite and used extreme caution when around us runners. They were always vocal on approach and pleasantries abounded. Thumbs up to a great bunch of bikers.
-- Al Sochard
This was my third VT 50 as a biker and I just want to say that this is a top notch race!! You do a wonderful, fantastic job with the organization and it is such a pleasure to spend time in VT and participating in this race. I was able to convince a
handful of people to attend this year that we bike with here in Central New York and I know that they have now come back from the race bragging about the wonderful time and we have another handful poised to sign up for next year's race!! Please keep up the good work....and let us know what, as bikers, we can do to help you to keep this wonderful event going.......
-- Kat Oot-Coffey
Really no way to THANK your volunteers enough. They were all wonderful. Special THANK YOU to the folks
that stayed until the last racer crossed the finish line. A runner buddy of mine was next to last and it was dark and he was SO HAPPY to get his Medal from them. They were terrific..
-- John Izzo
I wanted to write and thank you for putting on such a great event. Sunday was my first time racing the Vermont 50 and you can be sure that I will be back.
One thing that struck me was the sheer beauty of the land that we were allowed to ride on and I would like to write a letter to the local paper(s) to thank the landowners, whoever they may be, for allowing us to race on their property. You had pointed out in your many e-mails leading up to the race that this was private land and we were privileged to be allowed to race on it - well you are certainly correct, it is a privilege to ride on such nice trails through some very beautiful farmland/woodlands.
-- Scott Denoncourt THANK YOU!!!!!! What a blast! My friends and i did it for the first time. And within 5 minutes of finishing we all agreed we're coming back again next year. You did a FANTASTIC job of putting together the race. I found it very well organized. Very friendly and helpful volunteers. And TONS of torture on the hills. My quads don't thank you, but i do!!
-- Pamela Roesch This was my first year running the VT 50km, and I really enjoyed it. It
was fabulously organized, with great aid stations, superb volunteers and a fun attitude all around. The course was stunning, with plenty of variety to keep one's perspective fresh as the sun moved through the sky. ... It was a highlight of my fall-- not to mention, a fine fundraiser for a most worthy group.
-- Doug Mayer
Thanks for the recognition. All of my donors were very excited to give and equally excited to hear about the race. To reiterate: it was the best course ever and
I had a better time than all of the VT50s I have done (I think 8). It was truly, the four best rides in VT, all on the same day! (I used to say... "unfortunately, all on the same day!")
-- Bill Calfee Thanks for putting on such a great event. Amazing. The course, the aid stations, the volunteers, organizers and spectators along the way make for a truly gratifying experience. I am looking forward to coming back next year and supporting your event once again!
-- Ellen Besobrasov Greatest experience of my life...
-- John Lacroix 2005Great job yesterday. As always (this was my 6th) I enjoyed the race/ride immensely and look forward to attending again next year.
-- Mark Yardley
I absolutely loved the race, thank you for putting it together! I was surprised you posted the results so promptly on your website.
-- Tony Scott
What a great day and race--the several people that did this
that I know had an absolute blast. Thanks for all your hard work--a great day for all!!!!!!
-- Gina Surgenor
Hate to crowd your in-box - but had a fantastic time!!
Thanks for everything! The 2005 VT50 exceeded expectations. Everthing I heard about the event was true - including the high level of organization related to running the event, to the outstanding MTB course and to the great attitude of all volunteers. The race was unrelenting - a challenge from
start to finish. Don't change anything!!
-- Shawn Black
I wanted to let you know how much fun I had at the race this weekend. I was also very impressed with the quality of the organization, the course, and all the added gems like the land access and the great people that helped pull it all together.
A great way to wrap up a good season and head into Interbike.
Many thanks, and I hope to be part of the event again next season!
-- Scott Oliver, Director of Sales, Bell Sports
Again, THANKS! It is an amazing event. You guys did a fantastic job. My only complaint is that I have a blister on my ass but that comes with the territory.
-- Byron Haynes
This was my first year participating in this event. Although it took nine grueling hours and my body is still exhausted it was a great experience. I just wanted to thank you for putting it all together. The volunteers at the aid
stations and at the crossings were fantastic. I was hoping you could extend our gratitude to all the home owners who allowed us to ride across their yards and driveways. At one point a rider ahead of lost a wrapper when he reached in his pocket for something.
The rider immediately behind him came to a screeching stoop and picked up the wrapper and carried on. being one the last few rider down the trail I was amazed at the great condition but most importantly the lack of any garbage on the trail. Anyway I just wanted you and the volunteers to know it was a terrific experience for me, and we appreciate all the work you guys must have gone through getting putting it all together. Thank you.
-- Andrew Mitchell
Skipix.com has all your pictures up and they look GREAT!!!! Please check them out. I am sure you will find one or more you would love to have. There are lots of smiling faces, even climbing up Garvin Hill to # 4 aid station.
That's not an aid station, more like a full blown buffet table with servers. Only things missing were tables, chairs and napkins. There is room for improvement. ;)
I just hate to blow smoke up a Race directors you-know-what but duty calls. First off,
you folks must be connected to the man upstairs for the fantastic weather. Mike, go back in you diary and see what bad things you did in 2003 and promise not to do them again. :) The original forecast suggested some scattered T-Storms but they moved off. I don't think anyone, volunteers or participants, wanted a repeat of 2003.
I brought three rookies to the race this year, one in the 50k and two in the 50 mile. While they did meet or exceed their personal expectations
which keeps one's spirits high, they marveled at entire show, soup to nuts. I tried to describe the course during training runs but they never knew if I was embellishing or spot on. To say the least, they were in awe of the course, the aid stations, especially the folks working the aid stations.
As an old veteran of this show I'm lots more critical and yes, another great job. If you had any holes in your armor you hid them from this old curmudgeon.
By the way, none of us had any problems with the Heed. For me it was a pleasant change.
At the risk of being repetitious, thanks for another great race and we'll be back next year for more abuse. Maybe even the 100 but we have beat that volunteer dog enough. Please let everyone know there are at least three ecstatic runners that would like to tip our hats for a great job.
-- Doug Freese 2004Great job on the race Mike! The best organized
athletic event I have ever participated in and good to know that the money goes to a great cause. Thanks for all your hard work
— Ed Powers
Great event. The trails were the best that I have ever riden on. Thanks to you and your staff for putting on such a great race.
— Mike Donoghue
Thanks for putting on a great event. It was my first 50 mile ultra run and I had a blast. I thought the course was fun: a good variety of terrain and lots of beautiful views. The aid stations were
well run and I was able to get in and out quite efficiently. The post-race party was great...I could hear the band playing for about the last mile or so and it was definitely the proverbial "carrot on a stick" for me as I tried to finish off the race.
— Todd F. Pearson
You do a superb job of organizing and having my hand a bit in such things I recognize what a great deal of effort there is in the smallest of details...all of which worked seamlessly (or seemed to work that way
which is all the point anyway).
— Larry Niles
just wanted to thank you personally for the good time I had last weekend. For the 2nd time I flew out from CA to do the race, and this year the weather cooperated. I flew out last year, and also did it in '98 and '00 when I lived in boston.
The event is very well run, and such a great reason for me to come back to new england. keep up the good work.
— Andrew Yee
Great job as always! I truly enjoyed my run, which was my best VT50
yet. You are, as always, to be commended for pulling together such a great event.
— Neil Kamman (#1077)
It is with great regret that I must bow out of the Vermont 50 this year and release my position to someone on the wait list. You have created and sustained a benchmark event of which all involved should be proud, and I hope to be part of it for many years to come. Thank you and please keep up the great tradition and superb execution.
— Chuck Berube
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