Question:Has anyone ran in the Burlington Vermont Marathon? I am looking at it as a
possible race to run. I have to make the decision soon, as the website is
citing that it is almost full. But don't know much about it. Is it
relatively flat? Windy? Good support? Any info would be appreciated.
Answer:
The crowds are great. There are a few hills - a fairly steep one between 16 &
17 miles but the crowds are thick there and help you get through it.
I ran Burlington as my first marathon in '97, and again in '98 and really enjoyed
it. Amazing crowd support for a smallish town. Nice course - sort of a clover
leaf - it crossses through the centre of town about 3 times before the finish. I
seem to recall a man in a leather G-string playing an accordian for entertainment
around mile 2, with about 5 other entertainers en route, including some taiko
style drummers at mile 17 to help you out the one main hill. Overall, the course
is pretty flat, since it is near the shore of Lake Champlain, with the one hill,
maybe 100+ feet tall at mile 17. The final 4-5 miles are on an excellent bike
path which descends slowly to about the level of the lake - maybe a drop of 100 or
so feet. A good way to finish, with a J-hook right at the end, which you need to
anticipate.
I'd love to return again - maybe next year. And after the race, there are some
fine places to get a beer or two in the centre of town - only a couple of minutes
walk from the finish.
I've run seven marathons, and Vermont City is far and away the hardest one I've
seen. It is hilly, and it is usually God awful hot (remember it's run at the
end of May, I.E. summer marathon). Roads on one section are very steeply
crowned, and makes for some hard running for some people, especially over or
under pronators. After the major hill at mile 16, you run forever through some
residential areas. Then you hit the bike path which has minimal crowd support.
I didn't like this marathon; but, most people get caught up in the Vermont hype
and tell you it's wonderful. I don't think I'd ever run it again.
I realize all things are relative but Vermont is damn close to
flat except for the hill at 16 and a little rise on the return
at about mile 8ish. Last year was excessively hot
but very unusual for Burlington.
Yup true. Want crowd support every inch of the way do
NY or one of the other Zoo races. For those of you that
enjoy running next to something as beautiful as
Lake Champlaign, it is a visual joy.
Then don't but the race is beautiful, well supported, relatively easy
and the temps are usually very comfortable. I suspect you had a bad
race last year with the nasty heat but don't generalize this to
a yearly condition.
It's true. I don't know if this guy and I ran the same marathon. Vermont is
flat except for a hill around mile 16. The incline he might be talking about
is when you run on the highway between mile 4 and 10. However, you have the
whole road to run on. The crowd support is great. It's true that at the end
along the bike path there aren't many people, but so what. They are everywhere
else. Plus there's no where for them to stand. You're surrounded by trees. I
ran it in 1998. I thought it was a great marathon. Absolutely no complaints.
I highly recommend it.
For the record: I do not claim the VCM has "great" crowd support, they do.
VCM has minimal crowd support, except at the exchange points for the relays
and a brief run down the pedestrian mall. There is virtually no crowd
support at all where you'd like it most- the last five miles. It is unfair
to someone who is asking for advice about the course to tell them there is
"great" crowd support, or that the course is flat, it is not.
