My Goal: The Ultimate XC Challenge

Course description: The Marathon is a 31.5mile, mostly off-road, run. The race starts by climbing 4,000 feet over 9 miles to the summit of Jay Peak. Then racers head downhill for 4 miles, descending 2,000 feet on Ullr’s Dream ski trail, continue on a series of trails through the woods connecting to Wilderness Village back road, and through Jay Village. Then racers will cross fields and rivers, follow a deer trail, and run in a brook. Yes, in the brook, for about 3 miles. A bushwhack and beaver dam leads to a swim across a 50-foot river, (aided by volunteers and a cable), and then racers will reach aid station # 6. It is advisable to re-fuel and rest at aid station #6, because the worst mud hole in the world is yet to come on the last eight miles of the course!

Check In: Race bib and envelope pick-up is on Friday, July 27, between 7p and 9p in Jay.

Race Meeting for the full: Saturday, July 28th, at 7.30a Race Meeting for the ½: Saturday, July 28th at 9.30a ALL RACERS MUST ATTEND RACE MEETING

Race start: 8a for the Full and 10a for the ½ - NO DELAY FOR LATECOMERS.

Rules: The entire course is on private land and we cannot allow trash. The future of the race depends on it. Please behave accordingly.

Distances and times: Since the terrain is not exactly what you’re used to running in a standard marathon, expect to double your slowest marathon time. No, this is not a joke.

Aid stations: We will have water, energy food and drinks approximately every 5 KM on the course.

Drop-off bag: Drop bags will be brought to aid station # 2, at the base of Jay Peak, for a change of socks, and aid station # 6 after the river crossing for a complete change of clothes. We will bring all the bags back to the finish line after the last racer has left the particular aid station. All items must be picked up by racers at the end of the race. No Drop Off bag for the ½ Runners.

Spectators: We will have some volunteers positioned at the finish line with road maps in order to help spectators track racers along the course.

Course sweep: The course will be patrolled, swept, and supervised by the Hardwick ATV Club. No one will be left behind.