The Vermont 100 Endurance Race is an annual premier ultra trail event in July and a Grand Slam of Ultrarunning event. Racers can register for either the 100-mile or the 100-km race. Although the roots of the event go back to the 1960s, the endurance event as we know it today was established in 1989 and is the only 100-miler with a concurrent horse race. The course winds through the Green Mountains with country roads and forest trails. It is challenging, with continuous rolling hills that have incredible mountain views.
The Vermont 100 Endurance Race is a pioneering trail and ultra race that includes a dedicated division for visually and mobility impaired athletes. All event proceeds directly support Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, an organization that provides inclusive sports and recreational programs for individuals of all abilities, regardless of their financial resources. From basic access to advanced instruction, Vermont Adaptive offers a wide range of activities such as alpine skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, sailing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, running, tennis, horseback riding, wellness retreats, and more. This ensures that people who may not have otherwise had the opportunity can engage in these activities and enjoy the benefits they provide.
The 100-mile course does not have any major hills but many small ones that add up to 17K feet of climbing over 68 miles of dirt roads, 30 miles of horse trails, and only 2 miles of paved roads. The course is marked well through day and night with 25 aid stations. The station’s crew-accessible are fully stocked with hydration and snack options, while those that are unmanned only offer water or electrolyte drink. Runners must finish a 100-mile race in 30 hours.
The 100-km race covers 40 miles of dirt roads, 20 miles of horse trails, and 1 mile of pavement. The rolling hills total 9K feet of elevation. This course covers the same 30 pieces of private property as the 100-mile. There are dedicated markings for this course day and night, with 16 manned or unmanned aid stations along the way. The race site has a dedicated page for aid station cutoff times and drop bag instructions. Participants must complete the 10-km course within 20 hours.
Be sure to check out the official 2023 Runner Handbook for all of the details of each race, including aid station cutoff times and drop bag instructions. Due to the courses going through 30+ private properties, the courses are not published, but the elevation profiles are below.
At the finish line, racers of either course receive a pair of Patagonia shorts. Solo finishers receive the shorts as well as a VT100 solo cup. Sunday’s celebration includes an awards ceremony where finishers are presented with various prizes, and top overall finishers are recognized: top men, top women, top solo finishers, top athletes with disabilities, and age group winners in the four categories.
As far as accommodations for the event, there is free tent camping on-site for all participants as well as the option to book lodging at one of the event sponsors, Fat Sheep Farm, rated as one of Vermont’s best farm stays. You can also look for lodging in any of these nearby towns: West Windsor, VT – Ascutney, VT – White River Junction, VT – Woodstock, VT, and Lebanon, NH.
The Vermont 100 Endurance Race is a Grand Slam of Ultra-Running event, a series of five races representing the oldest and most prestigious 100-mile races contested in the US. The series includes the Old Dominion 100 in Virginia, Western States 100 in California, the Vermont 100, Leadville Trail 100 in Colorado, and the Wasatch Front 100 in Utah. To be eligible for the award, participants must officially complete three of the four first Grand Slam Series races and then complete the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run, all in the same summer. The Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run is the series’ final race and is mandatory. You must apply for all the races you plan to run during their open registration period.
Sister events of the Vermont 100 Endurance Race include the Vermont 50 a MTB / Ultra Run that takes place in September on the beautiful Ascutney trails. This area also hosts premier events, the Vermont Overland Trail race and The Overland, one of the most popular and longest-running gravel cycling events in the US which Strambecco rates as one of the Best Gravel Cycling Events in New England.
