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May 3, 2024

Shires of Vermont Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Shires of Vermont Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.6

Organization 4.6

Spectators 4.0

Number of comments: 50 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

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J. W. from The Berkshires, Massachusetts (5/23/2012) "Hot times in the mountains" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Shires of Vermont Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There seemed to be a lack of aid stations for the first 8K or so...and that was a bit worrisome because race day was going to be quite warm, and with a race start of 9am...uh oh. After that small glitch however, this race delivered. The remainder of the race had a huge amount of excellent volunteer support, complete with ice (I wouldn't have been able to finish this race without it), pretzels, candy, water, and Gatorade at every aid station. The course is a point to point with a descent for the first 2 miles and then some climbing in the middle. There are some postcard perfect views of the mountains and small towns (there's even a covered bridge crossing around 5K). There was a section around mile 20 that pushed runners way over onto a tiny shoulder of the road and there was some traffic congestion, but much of the race was on quiet roads and shaded gravel/dirt paths. A nice touch: Our race shirts were given to us at the finish line, draped over our backs sopping wet and ice cold. With finish line temps in the mid to high 80s, this was very welcome. The ice cream, cold cuts and cold soda at the finish were a big plus. The ceramic medal is an excellent touch too. I PW'ed at this race, but it still ranks as one of my favorites. For a race only in its second year, it's very impressive. One suggestion: More shuttle buses to and from the start at the beginning and end of the race.
M. B. from Missouri (5/22/2012) "As good as it gets!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Shires of Vermont Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a fantastic marathon. If I had to give it a letter grade it would get an A. Start the race 2 hours earlier (at 7 a.m.) and I'd give it an A+. Volunteers and the organization were amazing. Aid stations were VERY well stocked with water, Gatorade and ice. Thank you thank you thank you for the ice! So many additional people came out with garden hoses, bottled water and ice to assist the runners on this unseasonably warm day. The course is hilly, but quite beautiful. Mile markers were spot on. It was nice to pick up your number the morning of the race. Nice finisher's shirt, which they soaked in cold water and wrapped around your neck at the finish line. The medal appears to be handcrafted which gets bonus points from me. Nice set up at the finish. Plenty of shade, massages, music and tons of good foodcheese, crackers, fruit, ice cream and pizza. Family and friends brought their dogs out so there were lots of them hanging out at the finish. Even more bonus points! Great job to everyone involved. It doesn't get much better. You can pay twice as much and run Chicago or Green Bay and they'll stop the race due to the heat, or you can come to Vermont, earn bragging rights, have a great time and get credit for a marathon!
H. A. from Williamstown, MA (5/21/2012) "The Best Runner Support Ever!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 2 Shires of Vermont Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Unlike 2011 constant cool rainy sog, 2012 was Hot, Hot, Hot, but the aid stations, medical support and logistical organization were the best of any of the 50+ marathons I have run. My compliments to the organizers for anticipating the hot weather and having ice at every one of the abundant aid stations. Course support with medical rovers on bikes making sure that the runners were o.k. was well appreciated. The soaking wet finisher's shirt at the finish line was pure genius. Even though it was my personal slowest marathon, I will run it again next year if they continue on as an annual event. The crowds were not as large as in last year's inaugural, but what a cheerful group of volunteers along the way at each intersection and all the aid stations. Well done! This race is becoming my favorite marathon.
p. l. from Norwich, VT (5/21/2012) "Happy granola!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I loved it! small venue, people were friendly, without attitude. Runners were relaxed despite the brutal heat (90ºF) and some stretches on oven like road. The countryside is gorgeous and volunteers super friendly. this year we even had belly dancers!! Post race was super cool (live band, ice cream, pizza...) THe only advice to the organizers: start early (7am, like everyone) and more buses to bring us back.
M. M. from Northampton, MA, USA (4/23/2012) "Great small race in a beautiful location." (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Shires of Vermont Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I was nervous going into this race, being very aware that there would be 500+ feet of elevation between miles 2 & 12, and the weather report called for steady and, at times, heavy rain. At least it wouldnt be hot! My son and I did our best to try to drive the course the day before, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that most up-hill sections are gradual, and would level off or have short downhill sections along the way. I determined to shoot for negative splits and carefully monitor my efforts up the hills, and try to open up a bit down hills. That strategy worked greatI was able to maintain my planned pace, with a few slower miles toward the end, but was able to pick up my pace for miles 25 & 26. I can count on one finger the number of marathons Ive done where Ive been able to run the last mile hard/fast, and still feel good at the end. This was the one. Too bad it rained so hard, obscuring the beautiful scenery (and making my sneakers double their weight by the end!). The miles of well-maintained dirt roads are easy on the legs. I had a pleasant chat with a veteran trail ultra-marathoner for several miles. He wore trail spats which prevented stones from finding their way into his sneakers. I wished I had a pair. If you like marathons with throngs of cheering fans and crowded fields, this one isnt for you. I prefer good scenery, friendly runners, a low-key start, and this fit the bill. The best partit was the 1st time I won my age group in a marathon (& probably the last), which would never have happened at a larger venue! The finish was a bit mickey-mouse; runners turned into a pasture and ran downhill thru too-long, very wet and muddy grassI was worried that I was going to trip and fall and had very little energy left to pick up my feet to avoid tripping or slipping. And, based on my splits, I wonder if the mile-markers were all in the right place.
K. D. from NH (3/21/2012) "Very organized very supportive marathon experience" (about: 2011) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Shires of Vermont Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was an amazing experience. The course was quite hilly but very scenic and well marked. There were plenty of volunteers and water stops and the support to all the runners was overwhelming. If you are looking for a challenging hilly marathon course, I would highly recommend this marathon especially the last hill at mile 25. Even though it rained and poured at times, it was a very rewarding first marathon experience and I'm glad I ran it and finished it! I would recommend it to other runners who don't mind hills.
G. Y. from Baltimore, MD (5/23/2011) "Great Race" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Shires of Vermont Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great marathon. You would never had known it was the first year for this event. Everything was on time and well organized. Every aid station had 10-20 volunteers ready to help you in any way. The course was very scenic. Locals in Bennington and Manchester were very friendly and helpful. I'm a 50 stater and am happy that this is the race I chose for Vermont. Sign up for this one soon, it is a secret gem, for now.
D. D. from Massachusetts (5/21/2011) "Scenic, well organized, small, VT marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Shires of Vermont Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The organizers of this first-time marathon in southern VT did a spectacular job of creating a wonderful race experience. They couldn't control the weather (rainy all day) but they controlled just about everything else and their efforts showed. Wonderful course (interesting, hilly but not impossible, quite scenic), great traffic control, good staging and finishing areas, super user-friendly logistics, many water stops with unbelievable volunteers, cheerful spectators (there would probably have been more if the weather has cooperated), great and varied post-race food, and beautiful, ceramic finishers' medals. Very responsive race officials. I sure hope they do it again in the future. HIGHLY recommended for those who like small, rural marathons.
J. Y. from Richmond, VA (5/21/2011) "Excellent small race" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Shires of Vermont Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The organizers did a great job of putting on this first-time race. The course was beautiful (and not quite as difficult with the hills as I was worried it would be), with traffic controlled well by the police and other volunteers. Water stops were spaced just right, and the volunteers were SO friendly and enthusiastic, even while standing in the rain for hours. There was a ton of good food at the finish, and the ceramic medal was a really nice touch, unique to the area. The towns of Bennington and Manchester seemed to embrace the marathon, so I hope they're able to turn it into an annual race. I would definitely recommend it!
H. O. from Vermont, USA (5/19/2011) "Fantastic, well organized race!" (about: 2011) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Shires of Vermont Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great, scenic race through the rolling hills of rural Vermont. Very well organized, with lots of porta-potties, water and gel stops, and aid stations throughout the course. Enthusiastic volunteers and fans. Great post-race food and beautiful handmade pottery medal. Very supportive of slower runners and walkers. Highly recommended - I hope they bring it back next year!

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