Geared Up for Vermont: What Seasoned Local Runners Actually Pack on Race Day

Anyone who's trained through a New England spring knows the deal: one morning it's 65 degrees and sunny, and three days later you're dodging sleet in a parking lot. Vermont doesn't apologize for its weather, and the Vermont City Marathon—held each May in Burlington—sits right in the middle of that beautiful unpredictability. That's exactly why the gear choices that work in Phoenix or Miami can leave you cold, wet, and miserable somewhere around mile 18.

We reached out to some of the most experienced local runners in the Vermont City Marathon community to find out what they actually wear, what they've thrown out after one bad race, and what first-timers consistently get wrong. The answers were practical, occasionally opinionated, and genuinely useful.

Layering Is a Lifestyle, Not a Backup Plan

If there's one theme that came up in almost every conversation, it's this: Vermont runners don't dress for the starting temperature. They dress for mile 10.

"I've seen so many people show up to the start line in a full long-sleeve thermal layer because it was 48 degrees at 7 a.m.," says longtime Burlington runner and five-time Vermont City Marathon finisher Dana Hollis. "By the time you hit the waterfront stretch, you're baking. You have to trust the process and dress a little cold at the start."

The general rule seasoned locals follow is to dress as if it's about 15 to 20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature, accounting for body heat generated during a full marathon effort. A light, moisture-wicking short-sleeve shirt is often the workhorse base layer, with a thin zip-up wind jacket that can be tied around the waist or tossed to a spectator if the sun breaks through.

For those racing in cooler conditions—anything under 50 degrees—a lightweight arm sleeve is a favorite compromise. It can be rolled down as you warm up without requiring a full clothing change.

Shoes: Where Vermont Terrain Changes the Equation

The Vermont City Marathon course winds through Burlington neighborhoods, along the Lake Champlain waterfront, and through areas with varying pavement quality. It's not a trail race by any stretch, but it's also not the glassy-smooth surface of some big-city marathons.

"I ran my first VCM in a pair of max-cushion road shoes I'd read about in a magazine," recalls Montpelier-based runner Keisha Tremblay, who has since run the race four times. "I didn't break them in properly and got blisters by mile eight. Now I run in a shoe I've put at least 150 miles on before race day. That's non-negotiable for me."

Local runners tend to favor responsive but cushioned road shoes with a solid heel counter—something that handles slight surface irregularities without sacrificing energy return. Brands like Brooks, ASICS, Saucony, and Hoka all have loyal followings in the Vermont running community, but the consensus is clear: the brand matters far less than the fit and the miles you've put on them before the starting gun fires.

One often-overlooked detail? Socks. Multiple veterans mentioned moisture-wicking, blister-resistant socks—Darn Tough (made right here in Vermont, by the way) and Balega are perennial favorites—as among the most important gear decisions they make.

The Weather Wildcard: Rain Gear Worth Carrying

May in Vermont can deliver a genuinely gorgeous race day. It can also deliver a cold, driving rain off Lake Champlain. Experienced runners plan for both.

A disposable emergency poncho tucked into a running vest or shorts pocket weighs almost nothing and can be a race-saver if the forecast turns on you. More serious racers often invest in an ultralight, packable rain shell—something in the 3- to 5-ounce range—that they can wear for the first few miles and shed if the rain stops.

"I carry a little emergency poncho every single time," says South Burlington runner Marcus Webb, who's been running the Vermont City Marathon since 2016. "I've used it twice. Both times I was extremely glad I had it."

Hats and visors serve double duty: sun protection on clear days, and a brim to keep rain out of your eyes when the weather shifts. A lightweight running cap is one of those items that rarely hurts and occasionally saves the day.

Fueling and Hydration Gear: Don't Rely Entirely on the Course

The Vermont City Marathon provides water and aid stations throughout the course, but experienced runners know that carrying your own nutrition setup gives you control over timing and prevents the chaotic shuffle at crowded aid tables.

Running belts with small flask pockets are popular for carrying a gel or two and a small amount of electrolyte drink between stations. Hydration vests are less common at marathons than ultramarathons, but runners who are sensitive to the timing of nutrition often appreciate having their own supply on hand.

Gels, chews, and real-food options like dates or banana pieces all have their fans in the Vermont running community. The key advice from veterans: whatever you use on race day, you should have practiced with it extensively during training. Race day is not the time to experiment with a new brand.

Common First-Timer Mistakes (Straight from the Veterans)

We asked every runner we spoke with for the one gear mistake they see first-timers make most often. A few answers came up again and again:

Wearing brand-new shoes. It bears repeating. Never, ever race in shoes you haven't broken in.

Skipping Body Glide or anti-chafe balm. Twenty-six miles is a long way to go with thigh chafing or armpit irritation. Anti-chafe products are cheap, lightweight, and completely worth it.

Overdressing for the start temperature. Dress for the middle miles, not the first ones.

Forgetting sunscreen. Even on overcast days, UV exposure over several hours of running adds up. A sweat-resistant SPF 50 applied before the race is a habit worth building.

Relying on race-day expo purchases. The gear expo at the Vermont City Marathon is fantastic, but buying something new the day before a race and wearing it on race day is a gamble that rarely pays off.

The Vermont Runner's Real Gear Bag

When you strip away the marketing and the magazine spreads, what Vermont marathoners actually pack comes down to a few well-tested essentials: broken-in shoes with great socks, a moisture-wicking base layer, a packable wind layer, anti-chafe balm, a running hat, sunscreen, and a personal nutrition plan they've practiced a dozen times.

The Vermont City Marathon is a community event, a personal challenge, and a celebration of everything that makes running in this state special. Showing up prepared—with gear that's been tested on these hills and in this weather—means you get to spend race day focused on the experience, not managing equipment failures.

Run smart. Dress smart. See you at the finish line.