2026 Information - TO BE UPDATED FOR 2027
Thanks to Altra, Skirack, and UnTapped All Natural Athletic Fuel, we will have 2026 pacers for 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, and 5:30 and, courtesy of M&T Bank, we will continue to offer pace tattoos in 21 different goal times (including all of the Boston Qualifier Times). Interested in meeting the pacers? Come to the Sports & Fitness Expo (May 22 & 23) and the Meet the Pace Team Shakeout Run starting/ending at Skirack (May 23) at 9 AM.
2026 M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon Pace Team
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Jack Pilla – Pace Team Coordinator
Number of marathons completed: 40+ (and 100+ ultramarathons)
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: Pace Team Coordinator since 2012
Best piece running advice you have ever been given: Trust your training and run your own race. Be patient, don’t go out too fast and run a consistent, even pace and have fun!
Why you like to pace: To help others achieve their goals.
Item you can't run without: Comfy shoes
Favorite UnTapped product(s): Salted Cocoa Energy Gel is my go to, but for hot summer days, Salted Citrus Energy Gel.
George Deane – 3:30
Number of marathons completed: 10
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: 4
Best piece running advice you have ever been given: My middle school XC coach would say that once you realize you can run where there is pain running actually gets easier. I think my favorite pieces of advice are to keep the easy days easy, and to make sure you're having fun.
Why you like to pace: I like the camaraderie of running with a pace group, and it's excellent to get to the finish line with someone who just met their goal. I enjoy being part of such a big VT running event and feeling like I'm helping people to run to their potential.
Item you can't run without: I'm a fairly minimalist runner so as long as I have a good pair of shoes and comfortable shorts I'm good (though a few friends to run with are always appreciated).
Favorite UnTapped product(s): Love the traditional maple waffle.
Something else to add: Looking forward to running VCM again after taking a year off of pacing duties.
Neal Graves – 3:30
Number of marathons completed: 15
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: 3
Best piece running advice you have ever been given: If you feel good at mile 13 of a marathon, wait.
Why you like to pace: It’s fun, at least until mile 23….
Item you can't run without: I find running barefoot for more than 3mi uncomfortable, so I guess shoes?
Favorite UnTapped product(s): Untapped Coffee “gel."
Aliza Lapierre (she/her) – 3:45
Number of marathons completed: 6
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: 1
Best piece of running advice you have ever been given: Respect fueling as much as training.
Why you like to pace: Pacing shifts the focus from "How am I doing?" to "How are we doing?" I like to help goal times become reality.
Must have running item: A hat
Favorite UnTapped product(s): Salted Cinnamon Spice UnTapped Gel
Something to add: I believe in you! We can do this.
Linnae O'Neil (she/her) – 3:45 (party pace!)
Number of marathons completed: 18
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: 1
Best piece of running advice you have ever been given: By the time you get to the start line the hard work has already been done. All you can do is believe and give your best go. And don’t forget to have fun along the way!
Why you like to pace: What an opportunity to help some reach a marathon finish line. VCM was also my first marathon and the place I fell in love with the distance. Getting to come back as a pacer feels like coming home!
Item you can't run without: Darn Tough socks
Favorite UnTapped product(s): Salted Raspberry Energy Gel, Grape Mapleaid, Lemon Waffles
Something to add: Let's have a blast!
Tim Richmond – 4:00
Number of marathons completed: 10ish
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: 2025 was my first year of VCM pacing duty
Best piece of running advice you have ever been given: “Add a 2nd long day to your training week.” Running 15+ miles twice a week noticeably improved my base conditioning.
Why you like to pace: It’s fun to be a part of the final chapter of everyone’s marathon experience. After all those training hours & miles beforehand, the runners toe the line and there is a common expression of relief and happiness that the due date has arrived.
Favorite UnTapped product(s): The Coffee Infused Maple Syrup is terrific for an extended track workout or 10k race.
Jason Wulff – 4:00
Number of marathons completed: More than I can remember (>20)
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: More than I can remember (>5)
Best piece of running advice you have ever been given: Remember why you are doing the running and training. To be healthy, get outside, to push yourself, to be with friends? Make sure that isn’t lost, in an overly structured plan or a a specific race goal. Listen to your body.
Why you like to pace: I love the energy of running with others; hearing their story and what motivates them to run. I also like the encouragement to get me running in late winter, and prep for a summer of running.
Item you can't run without: Feet. The beauty of running (and particularly for me who works and travels for a busy office job) is that I can do it anywhere with basically nothing. I have run in work cloths, barefoot (grass or sand), socks on hands as gloves. You may need to adjust, but feel like that is what makes running great – just go out and do it.
Favorite UnTapped product(s): Waffles are hands down my favorite; but maple gels a bit more practical for hard runs in my opinion.
Something to add: I am just really excited to get back out pacing. Its been ~5 years off, due to back problems/surgery. But a long recovery, and now feeling great, and can’t wait to get back out running VCM!
Sal Acosta – 4:30
Number of marathons completed: 45-55, doesn't keep count
Number of Vermont City Marathons: 7-10
Best piece of running advice you have ever been given: My best times have resulted from showing up to a race and not focusing on the time or pace. Having very low expectations seems to bring out the best in me. Of course, I followed a training plan and just needed to get out of my head I suppose.
Why you like to pace: I got into running to spend quality time with my children. It eventually led to us running half marathons and then full marathons. Running was a perfect way to connect with them and enjoy conversations as the miles ticked by. Running the first marathon with each of them is a memory I will always cherish because of the great sense of accomplishment we felt. Running continues to be a way for me to connect with people – it’s the best part of running for me.
Must have running item: A great fitting pair of shoes.
Favorite UnTapped product(s): The coffee flavored energy gel with caffeine.
Something to add: I agree with the perspective that the marathon is a 26.2 mile run celebrating all hard work that you put into training. Enjoy every minute of it!
Rick Morris – 4:30
Number of marathons completed: 92
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: I started pacing VCM in 2011, with one year off for COVID . . . 12 full and one half.
Best piece of running advice you have ever been given: When things get tough, remember to run with a smile on your face and "fake it until you make it!"
Why you like to pace: I've coached running for well over a decade and pacing like coaching makes me happy, helping others achieve their running goals J.
Must have running item: Crystallized Ginger . . . for energy boost and calming the stomach.
Favorite UnTapped product(s): UnTapped Coffee Infused
Something to add: I’m looking forward to seeing you at the starting line and helping you reach your pace goal.
Kristin Lundy (she/her) – 5:00
Number of marathons completed: Over 50
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: Over 10
Best piece of running advice you have ever been given: Somewhere between mile 16 and 20, your body will try to tell you that you can’t do this anymore, almost always, you can.
Why do you like to pace: So many reasons, but if you’ve ever accomplished anything through running, you know that feeling. To be able share that is a gift.
Must have running item: I'd have to go with apparel.
Favorite UnTapped product(s): Salted Cocoa! Unless it’s an overnight race, then it’s Coffee!
Something to add: When we meet at the start, we’re on the same team. When we get to mile 20, we’re best friends. When we cross the finish line, we’re family!
Tom Nuovo (he/him) – 5:00
Number of marathons completed: About 30
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: I believe this is the 9th time
Best piece of running advice you have ever been given: Run the race that you trained for, keeping in mind how you are feeling on the day of the race. Always be mindful of how you feel and be sure to check in with both your mind and your body. You can achieve more than you might think.
Why you like to pace: Pacing gives me the ability to help people during the race, to keep them motivated. I love the ability to talk to people who have questions in the moment and to motivate them and help them achieve their goal of finishing the marathon.
Must have running item: Shorts? Running is great because really there is nothing that you need to do it. Some might think shoes are important, but for two years I ran mostly without shoes as I changed my running style.
Something to add: I enjoy running because of how it makes me feel and the people and community. Runners tend to have a great outlook on life, and long-time runners understand that it is not about your speed, but the journey to get you where you want to be. Enjoy the journey.
Karen Morris – 5:30
Number of marathons completed: 89 (VCM will by number 90)
Number of Vermont City Marathons paced: 12 I believe?
Best piece of running advice you have ever been given: Don’t go out too fast in a marathon, enjoy the experience. Especially if it's your first one.
Why you like to pace: To help others have fun and enjoy the day.
Must have running item: Sunglasses
Favorite UnTapped product(s): Maple energy gel
Something to add: My first marathon was the VCM back in 2004. I went from never running to deciding to start training in November 2003 for the Spring marathon. I was going to do one and be done. This year will be my 90th marathon. So hopefully I have at least 10 more in me to make 100.
Rebekah Thomas – 5:30
Number of marathons completed: 132
Number of Vermont City Marathons: 10
Best piece of advice of running advice you have ever been given: ITrust the process; if you've put in the work, your marathon should be the celebratory icing on the cake!
Why you like to pace: I enjoy helping and seeing people reach their goals. I think that everyone deserves a cheering section when they are tackling something like a marathon, and a pace group is a cheering squad throughout the race.
Must have running item: Water, gum, and UnTapped maple products
Favorite UnTapped product(s): Any of the gels, especially the coffee one
Something to add: I am a living liver and kidney donor and hope to demonstrate that donation doesn’t negatively impact your life. Participating in events is one way for me to spread awareness about the need for living donors, and to provide a first-hand example of the possibilities post-donation.
