Charlotte Covered Bridge 5K, 10K & Half Marathon is definitely one of RunVermont racers’ favorite races. There are no huge hills and the scenery is beautiful. Beginning and ending at picturesque Shelburne Beach, you will run along dirt, gravel and paved roads featuring scenic views of Vermont countryside and rural …
MORE
Charlotte Covered Bridge 5K, 10K & Half Marathon is definitely one of RunVermont racers’ favorite races. There are no huge hills and the scenery is beautiful. Beginning and ending at picturesque Shelburne Beach, you will run along dirt, gravel and paved roads featuring scenic views of Vermont countryside and rural farmland. Run past Charlotte Beach situated on beautiful Lake Champlain just before entering the Holmes Creek Covered Bridge for the first time. The course continues on quiet, rolling hills before arriving at the turnaround. The half marathon runs through the covered bridge twice. The 5K and 10K turn around before reaching the bridge (although it’s not that far beyond the 10K turnaround, so if you want to run through it, it’s not going to add that much to your finish time for 10K runners).
This race will be limited to 3-1/2 hours regardless of distance. If you are out on the course after the time limit has passed, you will be running at your own risk because police officers and other staff/volunteers may not be available on the course.
LESS
Small race, small hills
Packet pickup was outside Fleet Feet and easy peasy. Bib got 15% in-store at Fleet Feet. 20-minute drive to race from Fairfield Inn and parking was easy with parking monitors … MORE
Packet pickup was outside Fleet Feet and easy peasy. Bib got 15% in-store at Fleet Feet. 20-minute drive to race from Fairfield Inn and parking was easy with parking monitors assisting. Only about 8 potties total. Race started on time, but I saw some people were still in line to potty. Ascended first mile, then rolling hills throughout. Race was out and back on mostly one bike path. Walked up a couple of hills, and thankfully the last mile was a descent to the finish line. First race back after two months off, and I felt it. Bagels, popcorn, water, fruit at finish line. Swag was a purple cotton/poly blend that I opted out of. Medal looks the same as previous years, just added Saucony sponsor name to ribbon and medal. Thankfully the weather was overcast and hid the sun. Didn’t stay for awards. Not many spectators but the aid stations were manned and didn’t run out of water/electrolyte drink. Overall, this was a nice small race that fit into my schedule. Maybe there are bigger/better options for VT. Switched to an early AM flight home, and on it now. Hopefully LA traffic won’t be too bad!
Small Town Race
COURSE DIFFICULTY: rolling hills. Wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. But I don’t have hills to train on! Additionally there is a portion of unpaved … MORE
COURSE DIFFICULTY: rolling hills. Wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. But I don’t have hills to train on! Additionally there is a portion of unpaved road. Really we’d give it a 2.5.
SCENERY- ran by the water and under a covered bridge. Very beautiful area.
PRODUCTION: instructions were clear. Plenty of parking. There were 8 bathrooms, they were all clean and still had TP by the end. There was packet pick up day of- which for an out of towner is very helpful! But I cannot comment on the existence or quality of a pre-run expo. Post run there was bagels with cream cheese, water, popcorn, oranges/ apples/bananas. During the run, the aid stations were stocked with tea flavored electrolyte beverages (which I didn’t think was bad, but my co-runners didn’t care for them) and water. They also had bathrooms at the 5k,10k, and half turn arounds (which were very clearly announced at the beginning). Also, the mile markings I found to be very accurate! The overall organization was good, but just low on amenities as Is expected for a small town run.
SWAG – there was none. The t-shirt was optional, it was a cotton tee (picture uploaded). We did not buy it. No extra swag. Race cost was only $60.
Elevation map, medal, tee, and a couple scenery pics uploaded
Very enjoyable first race in Vermont!
This was my first 10K in Vermont and the scenery was very nice. Race weather was ideal with a temperature of 65 and partly cloudy. I'm grateful the rain held … MORE
This was my first 10K in Vermont and the scenery was very nice. Race weather was ideal with a temperature of 65 and partly cloudy. I’m grateful the rain held off until the afternoon! Race Vermont put on a great race with outstanding officials and volunteers. The course was overall flat but some of the roads had a few ups and downs which made for a challenge at times. This was my first race Post COVID which I had a month ago so I was still dealing with an occasional annoying cough and I wasn’t as strong as previous races. However, I still managed my 2nd best time which was great. I would definitely recommend this race and I hope to run a half marathon next year in Vermont. Thanks for a great race and I love my shirt and finishing medal!
Special experience, gorgeous course!
This race is unique for a few reasons: 1) Truly amazing course on mostly flat but slightly rolling country lanes overlooking stunning, lush green meadows, an orchard and Lake Champlain. … MORE
This race is unique for a few reasons: 1) Truly amazing course on mostly flat but slightly rolling country lanes overlooking stunning, lush green meadows, an orchard and Lake Champlain. Quintessential Vermont beauty! Could not be more picturesque. Also shady! 2) Super helpful, friendly runners and caring support team/volunteers. Everyone was genuinely enthusiastic, yet low-key, and very helpful, 3) Very efficient and organized logistics. Everything from registration to bib pickup was a breeze (I think we even had the option of requesting the bib be mailed), the couple of emails received pre-race contained just the right amount of info, parking was super easy on the day of the race, the Race Director explained the course before we started, turns were staffed with volunteers, water was out there at perfect spots, etc 4) Amazing finish line feast at a great little spot overlooking the lake. Runners were given lots of food – bagels, bananas, water and more. Also, for sale were burgers and food trucks with ice cream, etc. Great for family and friends. 5) Great swag! Beautiful medal for all finishers, beer glass for age group winners, plus raffle prizes including gift certificates, bottles of wine, etc.
Coming from southern California, where races can feel like such a logistical ordeal and are often run in crowded settings, this was all truly a breath of fresh air and made the race extra fun and special. It feels like what real running and low-key racing is all about. A big thank you to organizers. Can’t wait to come back!
Train your HILLS
This was a hilly course, there were only two that I had to actually walk up and for me that is a HUGE Improvement! The scenery was fantastic, ran over … MORE
This was a hilly course, there were only two that I had to actually walk up and for me that is a HUGE Improvement! The scenery was fantastic, ran over a covered bridge and the farm views. You are running on an active road so pay attention to oncoming traffic. Course support was great, water and gatorade was available to the runners.
The MC for the event made sure to remind runners of the turn around points. This actually made it very easy for me to gage where I was and the distance still to cover. It was an out and back course but this one I didn’t mind, probably because I am getting use to them but the scenery does help. I loved having those hills on the downward. The last 1 km is flat and then downhill to the finish line. I had a better run and I beat my goal time by 9mins, it felt good as I have a Marathon coming up in October. Helps with the confidence.
Overall, I loved how small this event was, I didn’t have to sway too much around runners in the first 10k and the last 10k there wasn’t anyone in my way. I would highly recommend this early September Run.
A must do!!!
A beautiful race! Great parking, well organized and great course support. Post food was typical run food but to sit on the water and eat was a treat. They also … MORE
A beautiful race! Great parking, well organized and great course support. Post food was typical run food but to sit on the water and eat was a treat. They also had the local chiropractor giving every runner a free stretch after their event. Not only did they recognize top 3 male/ female, they announced all age group winners. Though this race states there is a cut off, they did not pull the last two runners from the course. Instead, they encouraged the runners to cheer them on. If I was to make one less than positive comment, it would be the 8 am start. I personally like early starts. I would do this run again.