Testimonials

Just a small samplings of the comments from Vermont 50 racers:

2007
2006
2005
2004
2003

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

2003

Thanks again for including the 50k in your activities. I was very glad when you told me you consider it a success and intended to repeat next year.

When I suggested it last year I told you I would support it. I brought two runners and one aid station volunteer...hope that those count.

Thanks again, I can only imagine how much work that it is. And thanks for the rain, that was a nice touch that gives us all a little something extra to remember. I hope that the damage to the trail was not too severe.

— Paul Morgan

Thank you and all the volunteers for a great race. I thoroughly enjoyed my first attempt at the 50 mile run. Everything was well organized. All of the volunteers were very helpful and courteous. It must have been very difficult to be out in the rain and coolness of the day to provide nourishment to myself and other participants.

Once again, I extend a big thank you for making this event happen. I look forward to returning.

— Bill Glendon #1041

Thank You, Thank You.

What an experience that was! Third time lucky they say; well I say that was most definitely the most memorable Vermont 50 I've ever done.

I'm certainly glad I ran it and didn't have to push a bike both up and down the hills in the mud. Those poor mountain bikers :-)

A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who came out and helped us a long. Considering the weather, I'd say they are the most dedicated and determined bunch of people out there and their efforts and encouragement were much appreciated.

A special thank you to the genius who thought to make some hot potato soup at the last aid station. The two cups that I consumed were absolutely the best.

Most importantly, a Super congrats to Micheal S. and his team for successfully organizing (under perhaps the most difficult race-day conditions) another superb event. From the Satuday night supper, to the closing award ceremony, my family had a great weekend.

Highlights: The port-a-potty in the upper parking lot (good thinking). The Saturday night supper. Not your standard spaghetti, a real feast (especially that apple crumble dessert)! Kudos. Mike's sacrifice to the weather gods to please hold the rain off until well after the start. Single track, single track, and more single track. Bring it on! Well-stocked aid stations for the runners. Music in the Mist at Garvin Hill. Nice touch. Course route markers. Most held-up in the rain except over the last few miles. That post-run feast!!!! Dedicated volunteers throughout!

Low points: None.

See you next year.

— Peter Collins

As I said to the bikers I past, You may not be enjoying the mud now, but you'll certainly be saying this was your most memorable ride of a lifetime in a few days.

First off, let me say that I thought you all did a great job with the race yesterday. I know the weather is beyond your control, and I think all the volunteers were fantastic, the aid stations were plentiful, and a welcome respite from the mud.

— Chris Marino

Cheers to you for a well organized event and to the many volunteers who helped make the "not so great weather" seem not so bad. They stood in the rain and wind and were a welcome sight at each station. Without the knowledge that another station would be just a few miles, it would have been very difficult to continue. Thanks again and I hope to do it again in the sunshine in the future.

— Mary Sampson

What a great race. Despite the rivers of mud, the near hypothermia and the 15 endos I took I had an awesome time. The volunteers were amazing and the aid stations had a ton of great (and a little muddy) food. You guys deserve a huge round of applause. Looking forward to next year!!!

— Bill Hartnett

Even though that was one of the toughest and most miserable (because of the rain) things I have ever done, I really appreciate what you and the volunteers accomplished. The food was outstanding, the aid stations well run and the attitude of the volunteers unparalleled. Thank you very much.

— Rick Bazluke

Well, the weather certainly could have been better (and I feel really bad for the landowners who had their trails mucked up so badly), but it was, as always, a great race.

You and the volunteers did a fantastic job under trying conditions -- it's amazing the people at the aid stations could stand out there for hours and still be so cheerful.

This was definitely a memorable race -- I'll have visions of falling over in the river of mud that was the trail for weeks to come.

Thanks again for the chance to participate.

And if you need help next year the day before the race, my son Lincoln and I would be glad to pitch in.

Thanks tons for a job well done. And if you're ever down in New York City, let me know and I'll buy you a much-deserved beer.

— TPeek

Hello to all! I would like to thank you and all of the volunteers for your time and effort that makes the vermont 50 such a great event. Even with the not so great weather, the smiling faces at the aid stations made the race enjoyable. All of the hard work is appreciated. Keep up the good work!

— Todd Parcinski

I thought you and all the volunteers were terrific. Plenty of aid, course well marked, well run event. I dropped at Dugdales after 3 falls on the section just before simply due to personal safety concerns. I was not wearing the best shoes for mud but that probably didn't matter much.

> This was a year of firsts.
> First 50K Run, First College Race, and FIRST Rainy Day.

Mike, Technically yes but the second mosh festival. I think it was about seven years ago, and the only time I ever biked this race, when mother nature dropped a torrent of rain in the early morning before the race started. No it did not rain during the race but it still turned the course into mud but NOTHING as nasty as yesterday.

My compliments to all the volunteers that stood out in those shitty conditions to keep us folks stoked and alive to continue....I think. :) Keeping the chicken in the warmer was a great idea in those conditions. After nearly 12 hours in the rain warm aardvark snot would have been welcomed.

For ensuing years keep in mind that many of us that did the 50 mile would probably watch the forecast closely in the future and likely try to switch to the 50K. Just one of these experiences is enough for our running journals. In this case highlight the criteria, if any, for a last minute switch. If you keep this criteria flexible people will continue to sign up early to help you plan race resources. If too strict then many will wait until the very last last minute to sign up.

I'll bet this will a true permission test for those land owners for next year.

I know it's only one of many years to have these conditions but like the 1999 VT100 with the heat, it's remembered.

— Doug Freese

That was unbelievable, I think I ended up with 20miles of hike-a-bike since all the uphills were covered in pudding. Thanks so much for putting on such an amazing event, I think it pushed people to limits they may not have know they had. Count me in for next year (unless it rains again, then I may jump into the runner category).

Cheers!

— Kevin Burke