As we close out 2025, we want to share something special with you: the moments that stayed with our team long after the finish line tape came down and the last medal was placed around an athlete's neck.
From 3am course setups to record-breaking performances, from inspiring conversations at the Expo to miles logged on cruise ship decks, each member of our team experienced something that reminded them why we do what we do.
These are their stories—raw, honest, and filled with the heart of what makes Vermont's running community truly exceptional.
THE MAGIC OF RACE DAY
Kathy Schirling, Vice President, Sr. Regional Program Officer, The M&T Charitable Foundation and RunVermont Board Member
“Standing in the heart of Waterfront Park, surrounded by hundreds of cheering spectators, I felt the soul of the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon. The air was alive with joy, tears, and triumph as runners crossed the finish line—exhausted yet proud. In that moment, I realized what a small, but mighty team can accomplish and how Vermont truly comes together to create an unforgettable celebration of resilience, community, and pure human spirit.”
Moe Brown, Director of Registration, RunVermont
“7:15am on the morning of May 25th. The M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon and Relay officially started. It was then that I could take a deep breath and enjoy all the excitement and positive energy of marathon day. This year's marathon was my first one handling registration, which supplied many new experiences and responsibilities. The week leading up to race day involved long days consisting of many early mornings and late nights to ensure full preparation for the Sports and Fitness Expo and race morning bib pick up. When the runners crossed the starting line, the bulk of my work had been done. I could then be immersed in, and fully enjoy, the electric atmosphere of marathon day.
Witnessing the race from the finish line made the experience extra special as it brought the excitement, inspiration and emotions of finishers up close. A thrilling bonus was watching Ryan Eiler come within less than one second of setting the VCM men's marathon record!
A personal performance highlight for 2025 was competing in the Race to the Top of Vermont, which I've done every year since 2018 (minus 2020 when there was no race). The race involves ascending the full length of the Mt Mansfield toll road via running, walking, or cycling. Each year my goal is to run to the top in 60 minutes or less. Despite less-than-ideal training, I was still able to achieve that goal and reach the top in 60 minutes. Now I just need to make sure I don't get slower in 2026.”
Liz Champagne, Volunteer Coordinator, RunVermont
“One of my favorite moments in 2025 was playing a big role in recruiting and organizing volunteers for the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, and then actually running the marathon and seeing the whole event unfold so beautifully from aid stations to course monitors and relay exchange zones and finally to the festivities at the finish. I called out to the aid station captains and others that I recognized and expressed my thanks to as many volunteers as I could. It was a great feeling, in addition to having a good race.”
BEHIND THE SCENES
Jon Floyd, Course Technical Director, M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay
“At 3am we (namely the Central Course crew and myself) meet at the base of Church Street, with late night revelers still roaming the streets, fog in the air, seagulls picking at the overflowing trash cans. It is a far cry from all the running action that will fall upon this section in just a few hours' time.
While the event tape gets hung along the sides of Church Street, other workers begin to join the fray—trash patrol, law enforcement, and both late night and early morning marketplace employees. This mishmash of humanity is a great reminder of why the word "City" is prominent in the name of the race.
In no time, the three blocks of the Marketplace are cleaned, marked and officially ready for action: A testament to all the behind the scenes workers who help to prepare the VCM race course.”
INSPIRING PERFORMANCES
Greg MacGowan, Invited Runner Coordinator, M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon
“Two moments stick out in my mind - both related to records. One was Conner Mantz finally breaking the men's American Record in the marathon with his 2:04:43 at October's Chicago Marathon, and the second was Ryan Eiler just missing - literally by fractions of a second - our own men's event record in May after being well ahead of pace at the halfway point.”
Kim Lord, Expo Director, Sports & Fitness Expo
“Coming in 2nd Masters Female and top 10 female overall with a time of 3:08:57 after a long weekend of being the Expo Director!”
Sam Davis, Rdy2Run Marathon Coach and RunVermont Board Member
“Each year of the Rdy2Run Marathon Training Program brings so many unforgettable moments, but one that stayed with me this season was hearing from a participant after the race. He wrote, ‘Thank you coach! I've done more than 20 marathons, but I finally achieved my BQ yesterday (and a PR) at age 49… finished 3:18:20. Thanks for all of your words of wisdom during this training block.’ Moments like that remind me why coaching this program for over 20 years continues to be such a privilege.”
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Anthea Dexter-Cooper, Executive Director, RunVermont
“When I was interviewing for the Executive Director position, I mentioned that I wanted to have more live running-related programming at the Sports & Fitness Expo. I had a number of different ideas, but top of mind from that interview on was bringing in Vermont-born ultramarathoner and author Emily Halnon, who had written a beautiful memoir. Less than a year later I was on the edge of my seat listening to Emily and another rockstar, Vermont-born ultramarathoner Aliza Lapierre, share amazing stories. As a member of the audience, I was privy to what felt like two friends sharing the most beautiful and inspirational of conversations. I was not alone in that room for not wanting the hour to end. I hope that the RunVermont team finds more ways to interweave storytelling in 2026.”
Beth Anderson, Past Board Chair, RunVermont
“Volunteering at Freezy Cheeks this last year was a great reminder of two things: runners are a special kind of crazy, and the Vermont running community is amazing. A surprising number of runners join a 5k in weather that makes you question your own life choices, and then they thank us for hosting it. That display of community says everything about RunVermont.”
Lauren Miller, Director of Youth Programming, RunVermont
“As RunVermont's Director of Youth Programs, my favorite memory was, of course, at one of our youth fun runs. It was the first year we were able to hold the March Maple Mudder Fun Run at Sleepy Hollow Inn after having to cancel the previous year due to unsafe conditions. The event takes place during Vermont's Maple Open House Weekend, and Sleepy Hollow has its own maple sugaring operation, fittingly (and humorously) called ‘Running Saps.’
After the Youth Fun Run, participants were invited to tour the boiling room and sample the freshly made liquid sugar. It was super special to watch kids cross the finish line, receive their medal and then immediately dive into learning, tasting, laughing, and embracing the full Vermont experience. It was a simple reminder of what makes our youth programs so meaningful.”
THE PERSONAL JOURNEY
Joe Connelly, Chief of Race Operations, RunVermont
“I miss the years when I was putting in 1500+ miles and pinning on a race bib 35-40 times. But, with more limited running days in my life now it does mean the days I actually get some miles in stand out more. Three highlights come to mind when I think of my 2025:
- Gilbrook Woods in Winooski. Since fall 1983 when I first came to Vermont I've been running in the woods next to St Michael's College. It may be the first place I ever ran in Vermont, would have to look back at my 1983 running log to confirm. I know that I've run there every year since. Forty-three years, certainly thousands of miles! I was just in there last weekend and memories of my old cross country teammates come flooding back around every corner. It's fun to remember how fast we used to dance around those trails, and then to laugh about how slow I am now.
- A late September run with my long-time friend CJ Spirito. CJ was a freshman on the XC team when I was a senior. We both settled in Burlington after college and have kept up training over the years. The last few years we're not as consistent as we used to be but it's always a great time.
- I'd say my biggest highlights of my 2025 running are the miles I do during vacation week. Cruise miles! This year we were on one of the big Royal Caribbean ships that has a huge running track that is only 2.4 laps to the mile. The uniqueness of being way out in the middle of the Atlantic doing my miles, then downloading the GPS track when I get back home and seeing where we actually were. The beauty comes around the back of the ship where the deck opens up to the ocean and nothing but the blue sea as far as you can see.”
These moments are what make RunVermont more than just races. They're what make us a community.
As we look ahead to 2026, we're grateful for every volunteer who showed up, every athlete who toed the line, every sponsor who believed in our mission, and every spectator who cheered until they were hoarse. You make these moments possible.
Here's to another year of creating memories together.
See you on the roads, trails, and finish lines in 2026.