Rich Bundy:: email

Rich began running competitively in junior high school and has been running ever since. As of February, he’s completed 28 marathons, with a PR of 3:06. Rich has run the Boston marathon six times, and just last month he completed a long-desired goal of running all six of the World Marathon Majors when he finished the Tokyo marathon (the six WMM races are Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo). Rich ran the Athens marathon in 2010 in celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, and his new goal is to run a marathon on every continent — he is already registered to run the 2017 “Final Marathon” in Antarctica.  Rich and Elizabeth Bouchard Hall have led the 4:15 pace groups for the last two years at the Vermont City Marathon.

Rich grew up in central Pennsylvania and attended Penn State for BA and MA degrees; he also has an MBA from Michigan State. He moved to Burlington in January 2011 after spending eleven years in Iowa, and serves as the inaugural President and CEO of the University of Vermont Foundation.

Tom Nuovo:: email

I am happy to be back pacing the four hour pace group.  This is my forth time pacing the this group for the Vermont City Marathon and my sixth time pacing.  I have found this is a special group since there are so many people who want to do a marathon in under four hours.

I want to let you know that you can do it.  The first marathon I ran was the New York City Marathon in 1983 when I was 20 years old.  I went to New York City with my father and we handed in our applications that day at Central Park.  I finished the New York City Marathon in 3:48:52 (gun time) with minimal training because I was young and foolish.  I was so sore after that marathon I could not walk down stairs.  Over the years I ran occasionally, but never ran another race until the Vermont City Marathon in 2001.  I was older, slower, but had found a new passion.  I have now completed fourteen marathons, and I have run the Vermont 50 for the past two years and plan to run it again this year.

What I like about running is the freedom it gives me and that it helps me stay physically fit so I can do all of the things I enjoy doing, especially hiking and camping.  I am now 52 years old and I am in the best shape of my life and am racing faster than I have ever raced before with the Green Mountain Athletic Association.  I credit it to one piece of dark chocolate a day (go ahead Google it) and my change in running styles.  I run in minimalist shoes because I have bad knees (torn meniscus in both knees).  Several years ago I was told to stop running, but instead I changed how I run and I now run in either FiveFingers or a zero drop shoe.

My plan it to be your guide and cheerleader and help you keep a good pace.  I will pace the group at a steady 4 hour pace with the goal at arriving at the finish line with a minute to spare.  I wait there until the last 10 seconds to cheer you on so you can make your time.  I will be pacing using chip time, so you should be behind me when we start, that way you know if you pass me you will make it.  Keep training and remember to stay well hydrated.  Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have and say “hello” before the race.

Tom.