I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I registered for this race. I glanced at the course map and saw a big hill in the beginning, then rolling downhill with a couple more bumps. A few days beforehand, I realized that the “big hill” was actually a chunk of 15% grade going several hundred feet up the side of Mt. Hunger and spanned the entire 2nd and 3rd miles of the race.
On race day, I ran as far as I could into that 3rd mile, then sucked up my pride and walked when that became faster. It was easily the hardest climb I’ve ever done, but I made it.
Once you make it over that first literal hump, the views are spectacular! I considered stopping for photos of the valleys, cows, and turning leaves on several occasions, but kept moving in an attempt to make up for my time on the Perry Street Hill. The course also alternates between pavement and packed dirt, plus about a mile of grassy “recreation path” towards the end. I was surprised and impressed by the number of spectators along the course, especially considering the backroads feel of the race. There was another portion of uphill in the out and back segment between miles 6 and 10, and one last hill just by the last aid station at the start of mile 12. There was a very small, but welcome downhill leading to the finish line and my Garmin measured the course at 13.17 miles, pretty much spot-on. My time was 1:50:21, so just shy of the 1:50 I had readjusted my goal to once I actually looked at the elevation profile :)
While the course was quite challenging, spectators and other runners were very supportive. I’m a pretty no-frills runner, but it’s probably worth noting that the only swag you get is a (very nice) long sleeve cotton T-shirt and a jar of pasta sauce. Aka, there are no finisher medals. Post-race food included Cabot cheese, fresh local bagels, apples, and apple cider. The start/finish is also quite close to the Ben & Jerry’s factory (for those of you who can handle dairy) and Green Mountain Coffee headquarters. Overall, the race was very well-organized and coordinated, and the scenery was awesome. Besides being a haul for me, that Perry Street Hill really chews up your legs and lungs in the very beginning, and I think once was enough for me. But you never know.