To the Editor,
Last weekend, the Mad River Valley welcomed runners from across the country for the Mad Marathon. While many people see a marathon as simply a race, the impact of this event reaches far beyond the miles run and the finish line crossed.
I want to take a moment to recognize and thank Dori Ingalls for her vision, dedication, and commitment to this event and to our community. Dori identified a unique opportunity within the marathon world — runners looking for the “world’s most beautiful marathon,” those working toward completing a marathon in all 50 states, and the growing interest in marathon tourism. She understood that the Mad River Valley has something truly special to offer.
The Mad Marathon showcases the very best of our community: our incredible landscape, our welcoming businesses, our local food and drink, and the authentic experiences that visitors remember. I saw that impact firsthand this weekend. At the Waitsfield Farmers Market, I met a couple from Maine who had traveled here for the race. Among their purchases were Mad River Distillers products, Vermont maple syrup, and other local treasures. They were excited to share how much they enjoyed the race, the food they discovered, and the community they experienced.
Later, while at American Flatbread, I met a couple from North Carolina who were also visiting for the marathon. They were enjoying a meal in a place that is uniquely ours — an experience they told me they would remember and talk about long after returning home.
This is why events like the Mad Marathon matter. The value is not just in the race itself; it is in the connections created, the businesses supported, the stories visitors take home, and the relationships built between our community and the people who come to experience it.
The Mad Marathon brings new visitors to The Valley, introduces them to our businesses, and turns them into ambassadors for this special place. It deserves our appreciation, support, and recognition.
Thank you, Dori, and thank you to everyone who works so hard to make this event possible. You are helping share the story of the Mad River Valley with the world.
Eric Friedman, executive director, Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce
