Vermont 100 Race Guide
Race Overview
The Vermont 100 is a challenging ultramarathon that tests both the mind and body over rugged terrain. Runners set out on a path that weaves through forests, fields, and small towns in the heart of Vermont’s green mountains. The event has grown into a favorite for trail enthusiasts seeking a true backcountry experience. Each year, participants gather from across the country to tackle this demanding course. The local community comes alive with volunteers, spectators, and aid stations supporting every mile of the journey. This guide will help you prepare for every aspect of the race, from registration to the finish line.
When It Is Run
The Vermont 100 takes place on [Month/Date], marking a highlight of the late summer ultrarunning calendar. This timing means runners may face warm afternoon sun as well as cooler early morning temperatures. Preparing for these shifting conditions involves layering clothing and planning hydration carefully. Weather in Vermont at this time of year can turn quickly, so checking forecasts up to race day is vital. Training runs in similar temperature swings will help your body adapt to the warmth and sudden chills. Knowing when the race is run also allows you to plan travel and accommodation ahead of time.
How to Qualify or Register
To secure a spot in the Vermont 100, runners must follow a multi-step registration process. First, applicants need to verify they meet a minimum ultramarathon distance requirement set by the race directors. Next, the online registration opens on the specified date and fills up rapidly due to high demand. Runners are encouraged to have all medical waivers, emergency contact details, and entry fees ready at launch time. If the race fills before you register, a lottery system may be used for any remaining slots. Staying informed through the official race newsletter ensures you don’t miss any critical deadlines.
Particular Challenges
The Vermont 100 offers several unique difficulties that separate it from other ultras. The mix of steep ascents and rapid descents tests leg strength and joint resilience. Unexpected weather changes can turn a warm morning into a drizzling afternoon or chilly evening. Navigating narrow dirt roads and singletrack trails requires focus to avoid sprains and falls. Aid stations can be spaced far apart on some sections, demanding careful pacing and fuel planning. Mental endurance is just as important as physical stamina for those long, isolated miles.
Course Format
The course format for the Vermont 100 is a lollipop, blending a large loop with an out-and-back section. Beginning in the race village, runners head out to complete a certified loop before returning to the same central area. From there, the course extends outward along a single corridor before turning around at the halfway point. This design helps minimize transportation needs and concentrates aid station support. It also allows runners to experience both the familiar loop section and the quieter out-and-back stretch. Familiarity with the loop can boost confidence before the more isolated return leg.
Elevation Profile
Vermont’s rolling mountains mean the Vermont 100 has significant elevation change despite its single state setting. The total gain and loss exceed 14,000 feet, with multiple climbs that can sap energy quickly. The course’s highest point reaches over 2,200 feet above sea level, while low points dip to around 800 feet. Major climbs include a steep ascent out of the river valley and a second long grind through hardwood forest. Descents can be equally demanding, requiring careful foot placement and brake-like muscle control. Knowing where these climbs and drops occur helps you plan effort and recovery strategies.
Terrain Breakdown
The Vermont 100 terrain varies widely, with a mix of surfaces that keep runners on their toes. Approximately 40% of the course follows dirt roads that can range from hard-packed to muddy, depending on recent rain. Singletrack trails make up about 30%, weaving through dense forests and alongside streams. Gravel roads account for another 20%, offering firmer footing but inviting higher speeds that can fatigue quads. The final 10% includes paved sections through towns and parking areas, where you can recover slightly before the next off-road segment. Training on all these surfaces will prepare your legs and your shoes for whatever the course offers.
Time Limit & Cutoffs
Runners must complete the Vermont 100 within an overall time limit of 30 hours to earn their finisher’s buckle. Intermediate cutoffs are enforced at each major aid station to keep the race on schedule and ensure runner safety. The first cutoff comes at aid station three, approximately 25 miles in, where the limit is six hours from the start. A second cutoff at mile 60 requires runners to arrive no later than 18 hours in. Missing any of these checkpoints will result in being pulled from the race course. Knowing these time limits helps you set pacing goals and adjust your strategy if you fall behind.
Aid Stations
The Vermont 100 fields 25 aid stations spaced so that the longest distance between any two stations is five miles, appearing three times along the course. These stations vary between unmanned water stops and fully staffed crew-accessible points where runners can grab hot food, snacks, and medical attention. Crews are allowed to meet runners at eight designated handler aid stations, each clearly marked on the official course map and listed in the Runner’s Handbook. Drop bags are accepted at all crew-accessible stations, allowing runners to stow extra clothing or nutrition for later in the race. Volunteers at every station offer friendly encouragement and keep close watch on arriving runners’ condition, making each stop a welcome respite on the long journey.
Mandatory Gear
Every participant must carry a fully charged headlamp with extra batteries to navigate unlit trails, a waterproof jacket rated for sudden Vermont storms, and a space blanket for emergency warmth should a runner collapse or get lost. Runners must also have a whistle for signaling aid if injured, a minimum two-liter capacity hydration system or bottles to assure adequate fluid intake between water-only stations, and a fully charged mobile phone with the race director’s emergency contact programmed in. Officials perform gear checks at the start line and at selected stations; missing any mandatory item can result in disqualification. This gear list is designed to maximize runner safety in the remote, rugged terrain of northern New England.
Crew & Pacing
Crews may support their runners only at the eight handler aid stations and must display the official VT100 crew hang tag to gain access. Only one crew vehicle per runner is permitted, and all vehicles must follow published directions to avoid sensitive Class 4 roads and minimize dust on course trails. Pacers are allowed only after a runner’s second passage through Camp Ten Bear (approximately mile 70) and must register in advance with the race director. Crews and pacers cannot accompany runners on non-handler sections of the course; any unauthorized assistance results in time penalties or disqualification. These rules ensure fair competition and help protect the fragile rural roads used during the event.
Navigation
The course is marked by yellow pie plates during daylight and by green glow sticks at night, with white chalk arrows on roads at certain junctions to prevent confusion. Reflective markers guide runners through dense forest sections, and volunteer marshals stand guard at major intersections to confirm participants are on the correct path. While the markings are reliable, runners are strongly encouraged to use GPS devices loaded with the official course file to track distance and locate upcoming aid stations. The Runner’s Handbook provides a printable map and detailed waypoint list for GPS upload, ensuring that even if weather obscures trail markers, participants can verify their position on the course.
Finish Rates
Historically, Vermont 100 completion rates hover around 75 percent under typical summer conditions, though they can dip sharply in extreme heat. For example, heat in 2019 drove the finisher rate down to 49 percent when temperatures soared above 98°F. More moderate years see finish rates closer to 80 percent, reflecting the race’s rolling terrain and robust support from aid stations. Most dropouts occur in the final third of the course, where cumulative fatigue and nighttime chills test both physical resilience and mental grit. Reviewing past finishing percentages helps runners set realistic pacing and nutrition goals to maximize their chances of succeeding within the 30-hour limit.
Special Features
The Vermont 100 awards each finisher a handcrafted wooden buckle ringed with Vermont green and grants a Large or Small metal buckle at the Sunday ceremony for sub-24-hour or sub-24-to-30-hour finishes, respectively. A standout feature is the big river crossing early in the course, which involves hopping across slippery stones under running current—always a highlight for spectators. Runners also experience the vibrant energy of Camp Ten Bear twice, where crews pack into a small grassy junction to cheer and party like a festival. The course is also an official qualifying race for the Western States 100 lottery, adding prestige for those who conquer its 17,000 feet of climbing.
Previous Winners
Course records on the current course stand at 14:47:35 by Brian Rusiecki (2014) for men and 16:42:32 by Kami Semik (2010) for women. Non-binary runners set records more recently, with Riley Brady’s 18:35:07 in 2018 leading the way. Visually impaired, mobility impaired, and neurodiverse divisions also have celebrated champions whose times continue to inspire. These champions’ names are proudly displayed at the start line each year, motivating newcomers to chase the history written on these trails.
Official Contact Info
For registration questions, course details, or logistical support, please visit the official VT100 Endurance Race website’s Contact Us page at vermont100.com/contact-us. Race updates, emergency procedures, and volunteer inquiries are managed through that portal and the email listed in the footer. Keeping these contacts accessible ensures runners and their crews receive prompt assistance before and during race weekend.