Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame Nomination Form

History of the RunVermont Hall of Fame

The RunVermont Hall of Fame was established in 1995 to recognize those athletes who had participated in every running of the Vermont City Marathon since its inception in 1989. Those individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame as Charter Members, to honor their accomplishment of running every Vermont City Marathon from 1989 through 1995, and many of those Charter Members continued to complete the Vermont City Marathon over the subsequent years and decades. As of 2025, there are two Charter Members (James Leary and Vic Tirrito) that have participated in every running of the Vermont City Marathon, including the half marathon iteration of the Vermont City Marathon held in 2021. 

In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Vermont City Marathon in 2008, the RunVermont Board of Directors broadened the recognition offered by the Hall of Fame and opened consideration to those whose efforts, consistent with the mission of RunVermont and the vision of the RunVermont Hall of Fame, have supported running as a lifelong activity in Vermont.

In addition to the Charter Members, inductees in the RunVermont Hall of Fame are now recognized in three categories: Athletes of Distinction; Coaches of Distinction; and Advocates. Inductees encompass a broad perspective of the Vermont running community and are representative of the state’s many participants, advocates, and supporters of Vermont’s diverse running community. Without the Hall of Fame inductees, the Vermont City Marathon would not be what it is today: the largest single-day sporting event in Vermont, with a rich history as a community driven event that welcomes participants of all abilities.

Hall of Fame Categories and Inductees

All inductees are positive role models for sport that have contributed to racing and the support of running as a lifelong activity in Vermont over the inductee’s life. Inductees are talented, consistent, and have served the running community with distinction at events, races, in training, and at ceremonies. While RunVermont’s, and the RunVermont Hall of Fame’s, origins are in distance running, inductees reflect success in and contribution to a broad spectrum of distances within running and associated sports, such as racewalking and adaptive sport (collectively running).

Athletes of Distinction

Racers who have achieved a high level of success in competition at the state, regional, national, or international level.

Criteria:

• The athlete must have lived in Vermont for a minimum of 5 years or had a major impact on Vermont races.
• The athlete has exhibited notable accomplishments of race performance and longevity.
• The athlete has shown a commitment to the racing world, such as through track & field, cross country, road, trail, and/or in conjunction with triathlon or duathlon.

Coaches of Distinction

Coaches who have contributed to the development of track & field, cross country, road, and/or trail athletes throughout Vermont and beyond.

Criteria:

• The coach must have coached athletes for a minimum of 10 years at one or more of the following levels: youth; high school; college; or post-collegiate.
• The coach must have made significant contributions to road running, track & field, cross country, or trail running in Vermont.
• The coach has an outstanding record of results, based on quantitative and/or qualitative criteria.

Advocates

Advocates that have made long term, successful, and diverse contributions to events in the running or race community in Vermont. Inductees are race directors, volunteers, event sponsors, event hosts, running club officers, and others that contribute to the development and growth of running events and their inferred benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Criteria:

• The advocate has a current or past role with a Vermont based race or event.
• The advocate’s contributions to running in Vermont are significant and cover an extended period of time. The advocate’s efforts need not be limited to the race/event itself and may have a supplementary role that provides for positive impacts for considerations such as lifestyle, educational, youth or community development missions.
• The advocate has a proven track record that includes longevity and a multi-layered contribution to an event or running organization’s mission.
• The advocate’s contributions have been to events that are highly regarded in the community and create partnerships that project a positive message.

Hall of Fame Nomination Process

If you wish to nominate someone for induction into the RunVermont Hall of Fame, you must complete the Hall of Fame Nomination Form by March 1. You will be required to answer questions specific to the category that you are nominating the person for and the applicable criteria. You will also be given the option to provide information on how the individual meets the criteria for multiple categories and an opportunity to upload supporting documents related to a nominee.

Hall of Fame Nomination Form

A selection committee comprised of RunVermont staff, Board members, Hall of Fame inductees, and members of the RunVermont community will select inductees to be inducted and honored at a reception during the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon weekend in late May.

Please contact info@runvermont.org with any questions.

Spirit of John Ewing Award

Separate from the RunVermont Hall of Fame, RunVermont will, under special circumstances, present the Spirit of John Ewing Award to those whose actions in support of the Vermont community epitomize the principles of honesty, integrity, and enduring care for all.   

The award will be given to those who lead by example and improve the quality of life for community members.  Special consideration will be offered to those who have been instrumental in the development of community owned events, such as the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, an event that John Ewing was instrumental in establishing and supporting in numerous ways.

If you are interested in nominating someone for the Spirit of John Ewing Award you should contact info@runvermont.org by March 1.

Hall of Fame Inductees (profiles)