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A small samplings of the comments from Vermont 50 racers:
2009
I found it to be quite challenging with the conditions but still really enjoyed it.
Breathe..........
- Cindie
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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
2008
Thanks 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
2006
Thanks 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
2005
Great 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
2004
Great 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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