In this edition of the RunVermont Pulse:
4. RunVermont Hall of Fame Nominations Open
5. Connelly's Corner: Freezy Cheeks
7. Strategic Planning: Help Shape the Future of RunVermont
Galentine's Group Run in partnership with Bivo and Paradis Sport on February 13
Race Waste(d*)
I was just out at the Running USA Industry Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, and one of the breakout sessions that I attended was on Sustainability at Scale, which was an opportunity for attendees to discuss amongst themselves areas where they were struggling to make their events more environmentally sustainable.
I immediately raised my hand and steered the discussion toward my current focus: reducing the volume of single-use cups used in endurance events. We discussed compostable cups, silicone cups, recyclable cups (lined with recyclable wax!), aid station layout, and more.
I was the newcomer in the crowd, and I like to think I was eager to learn, well-informed, and engaging. I was certainly entertaining when just a few minutes later I started talking about environmental impact reports and mentioned a porta-potty company in Vermont that was separating solids from liquids and converting the liquids into fertilizer, which was then being used by Vermont farmers. I was shocked when the person sitting across the aisle from me enthusiastically chimed in with “that’s Wasted*” and lifted up her pant leg. She was wearing one of my favorite pairs of Recover socks, ones bedecked in smiling poops and a custom order by Wasted* through my fellow attendee. I’m really proud of the efforts that RunVermont has taken to minimize its environmental impact and to share companies like Wasted* with people in the running industry.
Wasted* Poop Socks
Later in the conference, I was approached by an attendee who had been discussing compostable and recyclable cups. She is a consultant who focuses on minimizing waste generation at endurance events through initiatives such as increased recycling and composting. She asked whether RunVermont has a waste hauler partner, and I was pleased to say we do now, having just partnered with Bin There Dump That. Bin There Dump That is a national company with a new franchise in Vermont, renting residential and commercial dumpsters in a vibrant neon shade of green.
Bin There Dump That will be providing the dumpsters that we use in Waterfront Park over Memorial Day weekend, but, beyond that, partnering with Bin There Dump That will allow us to have trash receptacles all throughout the marathon course, mid-race pickups of trash, and even more of a focus on making sure that waste is minimized by increasing the amount of compost and recycling that is separated from waste. We also have a few more initiatives up our sleeve, I mean, dumpster.
~ Anthea Dexter-Cooper, Executive Director, RunVermont
From the Blog
It’s been another entertaining and informative month on the RunVermont blog. Highlights include a recap of the spectacular year of record-setting performances in the marathon on Vermont soil. Fourteen record-setting performances, to be exact. Read about the standout performances from runners of all ages, from teens to masters athletes, with several also setting new age-group benchmarks, in Vermont Age Records and Age Group Records Set in 2025.
All Fourteen Record Setters
On the educational front, Rdy2Run coach Sam Davis compiled a comprehensive list of tips and strategies to keep up with running outdoors, even as we all grapple with this intense winter, in Winter Running Tips (especially when it is cold). Running for time, not distance, layering, and when to call a run early are all addressed in this blog post, which we keep referencing and referring others to on social media and in pre-race emails.
Freezy Cheeks and Eyelash Icicles
Finally, we recently unveiled our new matching form for people looking to complete a half marathon at the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, but don’t (yet) have a partner for the two person relay and we explained a bit more about the reasoning behind the matching form and how it works in Find Your Match to Run A Half Marathon at the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, with 2 Person Relay Presented by Darn Tough Vermont.
Whether you are looking for a way to make it through winter while still getting out for a run or already thinking about half marathoning in warmer weather in May, we hope you’ll find something useful, inspirational, or just entertaining in the blog.
Youth Updates
Join us this weekend for a morning of miles and mascots
Our FREE Youth Fun Run takes place on Saturday, February 21 at 9:00 AM and features both a ½-mile1-mile options on an out-and-back course from Rick Marcotte Central School in South Burlington.
Stick around afterward for a mascot breakfast packed with arts & crafts, games, and photo ops with some of Vermont’s favorite characters.
Registration is required for both events and must be completed separately.
The time is now to get a Mini Milers program going at a school, at home, or within a local community!
The Mini Milers program gives elementary school children access to fitness, good nutrition, community service, and goal setting, all while having fun and being safe!
Children meet weekly with Mini Miler leaders to get motivated, educated, some exercise, and keep track of their progress.
We provide the volunteer Mini Milers leaders with a Manual that includes lessons and fun games, including a Mileage Tracker for each participant.
Where the program meets and how often is determined by the leaders.
Scholarships are available upon request.
Questions? Email youth@runvermont.org
Hall of Fame Nominations Open
Heidi Stumpff, Regional President, M&T Bank, awarding Tim Eno a 2025 Hall of Fame award
Nominations for the RunVermont Hall of Fame class of 2026 are now open.
RunVermont’s Hall of Fame functions as Vermont’s Running Hall of Fame. Created in 1995 to honor runners that had run in each edition of the Vermont City Marathon since 1989, it was expanded in 2008 to include individuals influential in the development and growth of running races in the state, as well as coaches and racers of distinction. Throughout the Hall of Fame’s life, it has continued to evolve with the consistent goal to recognize individuals that have made a major impact as part of this sport and have connections to Vermont, and currently 57 individuals are inducted.
For 2026, we have made a minor revision to the eligibility criteria, the removal of the requirement that an inductee currently reside in Vermont, in recognition of the fact that it has not just been Vermont residents that have had the biggest impact on racing in Vermont.
The Hall of Fame’s current categories are:
- Charter Members: These are the 14 runners who competed in the first 20 Vermont City Marathons.
- Advocates: Race Directors, key organizers, running club leaders, community leaders--anyone who, through their actions and support, has helped the sport of running grow and flourish in Vermont.
- Coaches of Distinction: Any level--college, high School, younger athletes, and adult athletes.
- Athletes of Distinction: Top level competitors at any level.
For more information on the history of the Hall of Fame, categories recognized and applicable criteria, and nomination process, along with bios for the members of the Hall of Fame, please head over to the Hall of Fame portion of the RunVermont website.
If you know someone who you believe deserves to be recognized through induction into the RunVermont Hall of Fame, please complete the online nomination form by March 1, 2026.
Connelly's Corner: Freezy Cheeks
In Vermont, all six seasons have their assets, but historically winter has been very light when it comes to running races. RunVermont produced FirstRun Burlington on New Years Day for many years. That was a great way to kick off the year, but then race options were few and far between until the end of March. I remember the Winter Blues 5k was around for a few years in the 1990s and Parks & Rec produced a St Patty’s Day Race for a few years, but that was 30-35 years ago.
In 2022 we started up our winter running series, at first Get Out Give Back and now Freezy Cheeks. It’s incredibly rewarding to see so many runners and walkers coming out for these races, and to see the momentum this series has in its 5th year. Our goal with all these races is to produce an environment that welcomes veteran racers and newbies, faster runners looking to test their off-season training and joggers and walkers who want to get in a good workout. If these races motivate you to move we are succeeding!
On January 18th we visited Black Flannel in Essex for our first Freezy Cheeks race. It was a beautiful day for a race, temps warm enough that I worked the start/finish without gloves. 271 signed up, 248 finished, another strong turnout for the races Black Flannel hosts. I know January is not a PR time of the year, but our Essex course is certainly a PR-worthy course. If you haven’t joined us for a race yet and you’re looking for a fast one, keep this one in mind because we usually race here both winter and summer.
On February 8th our friends at Zero Gravity in Burlington were the host for the second Freezy Cheeks race. I’ve been producing races for a long time, I think this was the 2nd coldest race we’ve ever produced, with temps at the start at 1°F and when I looked at the dashboard when picking up the course afterwards it said a whopping 4°F. FirstRun 2018 was colder, but what’s a few degrees among friends? Despite that, nearly 100 runners and walkers joined us on race day. Adding another element of fun, we had some massive snow drifts just before Oakledge Park. It was truly a day to dig in and roll with the conditions. Due to the weather, we also allowed entrants to submit a virtual time. Like I said above, if we can motivate you to keep moving (virtual or in person), we are succeeding.
March 15 we’ll conclude the 2026 Freezy Cheeks series at Switchback in Burlington. Traditionally this race is the biggest of our Freezy Cheeks races. We hope to see you there!!
~ JoeConn, Chief of Race Operations, RunVermont
Register for Freezy Cheeks: Third Berg
Lodging for Upcoming Races
We’re less than two months from Half Marathon Unplugged, which means that now is the perfect time to make your travel and lodging plans. With a shuttle bus from downtown Burlington to the start in Colchester and between downtown Burlington and the finish at Switchback, there are ample convenient lodging opportunities. We even have lodging partners, such as the Comfort Inn & Suites in South Burlington, that are offering participants a discounted rate. Check out the Half Marathon Unplugged lodging options and, if you’re a planner and/or want to see our sweet new interactive map for lodging partners for the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay, the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay lodging options.
Strategic Planning Update
Help Shape the Future of RunVermont!
We're excited to announce that RunVermont is embarking on a strategic planning process to ensure we continue serving the RunVermont community in the best ways possible—and we need your input!
Later this month, you'll receive one or more surveys depending on whether you're a race participant, volunteer, parent or guardian of a young runner, or involved with RunVermont in multiple ways. Your valuable feedback matters deeply to us. These surveys are tailored to different aspects of our community, and each one is designed to capture unique insights from your experiences with RunVermont.
Your responses will directly shape our strategic priorities and help us build a stronger, more responsive organization to serve the RunVermont community. We're grateful for the time you'll take to share your thoughts and help chart the course for RunVermont's future.
Keep an eye on your inbox for survey links coming through RunSignup, and thank you in advance for being part of this important process!
Start of the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay