While some roads will be closed on Sunday, July 6, for the fourth annual Mad Marathon, once runners pass safely, roads will be opened to local residents on an as-needed basis. That means people will be able to get home or through a road as the crowd thins.
The Mad Marathon starts at 7 a.m. on Sunday so runners are typically finished with the first half of the course by 10 a.m. Warren United Church will have their standard 10 a.m. worship service (last year they rescheduled but found no road difficulties so are back to a normal schedule). Dori Ingalls, race director, and everyone involved with the Mad Marathon thanked Valley residents and visitors in advance for their patience during race hours.
COURSE
The Mad Marathon starts at Mad River Green in Waitsfield and the course travels north on Route 100 for only 0.6 mile before turning onto the first secondary road and through the covered bridge on Bridge Street. The first climb is about one mile into the race running past an aid station and hitting a second station at the top of the climb on Joslin Hill Road (2.2 miles into the race).
Joslin Hill meets North Road and rolls along gently downhill for another 2.5 miles, through Pine Brook Covered Bridge to the third aid station at Meadow Road. Then the course is near the Neill Farm on dirt roads. About 1.5 miles along North Road past Meadow Road is Carpenter Farm where there is a turnaround location six miles into the race.
Runners then retrace their path up North Road and hit 8.5 miles at the Tremblay Road intersection. This will be the first relay handoff point for three-person teams – first leg, 8.5 miles. This is also the first relay handoff point for the five-person teams – first leg, 8.5 miles. This is also the Mad Half two-person relay team handover point – first leg, 5.8 miles.
After a short out and back on East Road runners hit Common Road – a dirt road with views of barns, farms and mountains. This stretch of the run is just under three miles and joins East Warren Road 12 miles into the run. Runners turn left onto East Warren Road and run for about three miles. Just under half a mile down East Warren Road is the junction with Rolston Road. This will be the second relay handoff for the five-person teams – second leg, 4 miles.
When runners reach Roxbury Mountain Road they begin a four-mile loop along four backcountry lanes (Roxbury, Senor, Fuller Hill, Plunkton). This will be the second relay handoff point for three-person teams – second leg, 10.4 miles. This will also be the third relay handoff for the five-person teams – third leg, 6.4 miles
Returning to East Warren Road 18.7 miles into the marathon, runners begin a gentle, rolling, downhill slope. Just after the big dip in the road the junction with Rolston Road is reached. This will also be the fourth relay handoff for the five-person teams – third leg, 3.6 miles.
Continue along East Warren Road and back to Bridge Street and then a short mile sprint to the finish line. The final leg for three-person team relay is 7.5 miles.
"This year Mother Nature will not only provide green mountains and flowers in full bloom, the anticipated temperatures are just what runners like. On one of the last days to register I had folks from Florida and South Carolina sign up after they checked the internet for a weather report. We're known for our beautiful scenery, hospitality and quaint towns, but now we'll add relatively cool temperatures to the list of why to run the Mad Marathon this year. I love hosting this event and the many opportunities it brings to the Valley; of course, I couldn't do it without our many volunteers and sponsors. Thank you!" said Ingalls.
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