Meet the new Vermont City Marathon
The People’s United Vermont City Marathon got some adjustments on Monday, when race organizers announced changes in the race course, location of the finish line and registration procedures.
RunVermont, which organizes the annual race, has chosen to divert the course from the bike path at Harrison Ave. (approximately mile 13.5) and instead run east on Lakeside Ave to Pine St. Once at Pine St the course will proceed north to Maple St and then rejoin the previous course at the corner of Maple and Battery. Race organizers say this modification will add back the needed distance that is lost by moving the finish line, and significantly improve course safety and accessibility in the area that has been the narrowest part of the course.
The second course modification will be between Cherry St and Pearl St. In this location it is anticipated that the course will be moving one block west to Pine St. This will be necessary as the CCTA station is under construction on the upper block of St. Paul St, where the race has previously run.
Maps of the adjusted courses are available here and here.
Marathon organizers expect approximately 8,000 runners to gather for the 28th edition of the race. They do expect there to be a more runners in the two person relay, an opportunity that is available due to the course changes.
“We’re able to expand the number of 2 person teams with the new layout for the course in miles 13 – 15. Previously, that area of the course has proven to be a bottle neck during the peak of the race. By moving to wider streets, we can accommodate more runners in the 2 person relay, and provide a better race experience for all racers,” says Joe Connelly, Director of Race Operations.
Relay Registration Format Change
Another change in the People’s United Bank Vermont City Marathon will occur long before the starting gun goes off. Registration for the relay teams will no longer be done via a lottery process. This year, relay runners will register directly online, commencing on Feb. 1, 2016 at 6 a.m. The race will be populated on a first come, first served basis. There are limits to the number of teams available, so it’s possible that someone registering late may get turned away. Those runners will be able to connect with the race’s Miles For A Mission Partners to explore the opportunity to run on a team for a charitable cause.
The People’s United Bank Vermont City Marathon is the largest sporting event in Vermont with over 8,000 runners competing in the marathon and relay events. For more information about the event or to get involved, go to www.runvcm.org.
