Run Vermont. Run Strong. Run Together.
Generic gear lists don't cut it when you're lining up in Burlington in late May—Vermont's weather has a personality all its own. We talked to local race veterans about the apparel and equipment they swear by, the mistakes they made early on, and exactly what you should be stuffing into your gear bag before the Vermont City Marathon.
For plenty of Vermont City Marathon runners, the decision to train for 26.2 miles had very little to do with running at first. It had to do with grief, reinvention, survival, and hope. These are the stories of people who found the road when they needed it most—and what they discovered along the way.
When the temperature drops below zero and the roads turn to ice, most people retreat to the couch. Vermont's competitive distance runners lace up anyway. We talked to some of the toughest cold-weather athletes in the state to find out how they do it — and how you can too.
Never run a marathon before? Good news — neither had thousands of Vermont City Marathon finishers before they started. This 16-week plan walks you through every step, from your first long run to crossing that finish line on Church Street.
Vermont's rolling terrain and dramatic elevation shifts aren't just scenic backdrops — they're world-class training tools hiding in plain sight. Local coaches and seasoned Vermont runners explain why running the Green Mountains gives you a cardiovascular edge that flat-course athletes simply can't replicate. If you've been cursing those climbs, it's time to start thanking them.
Vermont's running scene isn't just about miles logged and finish times — it's about the people you meet along the way. From Burlington running clubs to solo runners finding their tribe on back-country roads, the stories of connection within this community are as compelling as any race recap. We talked to four Vermont runners whose lives changed not because of a marathon, but because of the people they ran it with.