Vermont is repeatedly ranked the healthiest state in the nation. From its chiseled farmers to Olympic skiers and riders and mountain biking mommas, it shows. In the Green Mountain State, there’s an ultra-marathon, adventure race, century ride, distance swim or yoga-fest for all athletic appetites. Sports enthusiasts come to train, race, compete, tour and experience the state’s beautiful landscape. Of course, Vermont’s farm to plate culinary scene also plays a large role in fueling and tantalizing visitors and local athletes alike.
Vermont’s sports events schedule is proliferating; plus, the caliber of the events and participation continues to increase and appeal to destination-savvy athletes. Seventy-five percent of marathon runners in the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon, the state’s largest marathon, come from out of state. Other races like the Half Marathon Unplugged doubled in participation in the last two years and the 24th annual FirstRun 5k on New Year’s Day saw 107 percent growth from 2009 to 2012. The fact that the 5k race is growing most quickly, followed by the half marathon, reveal a welcomed increase of new runners regionally, reports RunVermont.
This season’s events “run” the gamut from gentle to grueling; the choice is yours:
Mad Triathlon & Kids Triathlon: May 11, Mad River Valley www.madtriathlon.com Triathlon
Shires of Vermont Marathon: May 19, Bennington & Manchester www.shiresofvermontmarathon.com Running
KeyBank Vermont City Marathon: May 26, Burlington www.vermontcitymarathon.org Running
Killington Stage Race: May 25-27 www.killingtonstagerace.com Cycling
Tour de Kingdom: June 5-9, Northeast Kingdom www.tourdekingdom.org Cycling
Tour de Heifer: June 9, Brattleboro www.strollingoftheheifers.com/tour-de-heifer Cycling
Wanderlust: June 20-23, Stratton Mountain http://stratton.wanderlustfestival.com Yoga
Long Trail Century Ride to Benefit Vermont Adaptive Sports: June 22, Killington www.longtrailcenturyride.com Cycling
LAX Bitter Lacrosse Tournament: June 20-28, Stowe www.bitterlacrosse.com Lacrosse
Northern Champlain Century: June 22, Champlain Islands www.northernlakechamplain.com/bike-for-the-lake Cycling
New England Tri Fest: June 29-30, Fairlee www.sunmultisportevents.com/New_England_Trifest.htm Triathlon & Duathlon
Kingdom Swim: July 6, Newport www.kingdomswim.org Swimming
Mad Marathon: July 7, Mad River Valley www.MadMarathon.com Running
The Great Race Triathlon XXXIV: July 7, St. Albans www.facebook.com/TheGreatRaceVT Triathlon & Duathlon
Vermont Mountain Bike Festival: July 13-14, Ascutney www.vmba.org Mountain Biking
Stowe 8 Miler: July 14 www.locorunning.com/stowe8miler Running
The Biggest Loser RunWalk: July 28, Killington www.BiggestLoser.com/RunWalk Running
Tough Mudder: August 10-11, Mount Snow www.toughmudder.com Obstacle Race
Harpoon Point to Point: August 10, Windsor www.harpoonpointtopoint.com Cycling
The Vermont Challenge: August 15-18 www.vtchallenge.com Cycling
100 on 100: August 17 www.100on100.org Running
Green Mountain Stage Race: Aug 29-Sept. 2 www.gmsr.info Cycling
Spartan Beast Race: Sept. 21-22 www.spartanrace.com Obstacle Race
Vermont Sports & Outdoors Scene by the Numbers:
50+ Vermont State Parks
273 miles of the Long Trail
7,000 miles of rivers and streams, including part of the 740 mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail
50+ alpine and Nordic ski areas
212 miles of Vermont shoreline along Lake Champlain, the nation’s sixth largest lake
200 Vermont Outdoor Guide Association (VOGA) outfitters and services ready to assist
223 Mountains
18 Mountain Bike Clubs in the Vermont Mountain Bike Association
626,000 Residents
9,200 sq. miles of land; 76 percent forested
Bonus: Local brews to toast your athletic endeavor? One for every mile of a marathon, plus some: 27 breweries.
About the author: Jen Butson is Director of Communications for the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing. For more information, visit VermontVacation.com
Happy Training!
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