The New England Green River Marathon is as scenic as it is fast. Running along the mostly wooded banks of the Green River, from Marlboro College in Vermont to Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts, the downhill course features a net 1,450-foot drop. If you like small, rural, community races through …
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The New England Green River Marathon is as scenic as it is fast. Running along the mostly wooded banks of the Green River, from Marlboro College in Vermont to Greenfield Community College in Massachusetts, the downhill course features a net 1,450-foot drop. If you like small, rural, community races through some of the most beautiful landscape in New England, then this is the marathon for you. This race will raise funds for the Connecticut River Conservancy’s efforts to preserve and improve the Green River, one of the many tributaries that flow into the Connecticut River, and also will support the Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club’s activities in the Pioneer Valley.
The Course
This is one of the most beautiful marathon routes in New England. The course starts at Marlboro College in the Green Mountains of Vermont, follows the Green River as it flows down toward the Connecticut River, and ends at Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Along the way, racers will pass beneath beautiful forests, glide past historic farms, and run across an 1870’s covered bridge. Runners will catch amazing views of the river itself (which really is green in places), and breathe in the delightfully fresh air of the Green Mountains and the Berkshires.
Detailed description: This is a net downhill (-1,450 feet) marathon (26.2 miles), and as such is a good candidate for a marathon PR and a BQ. USATF course certification is pending, so it will be a qualifying race for Boston. Though it’s mostly downhill, there are some uphill sections! Runners should train with this in mind. The road surface is mostly packed dirt-and-gravel with a few sections of pavement until mile 21, and there are 5 miles of pavement at the end. Runners should train on dirt roads to prepare.
The course starts at Marlboro College in Marlboro, Vermont, and heads steeply down the packed dirt-and-gravel Moss Hollow Road for 2 miles (with one small uphill) and then turns left onto Green River Road. This mostly downhill section is paved for 3.9 miles, and then continues on packed dirt road. Green River Road takes on the name Hinesburg Road which runners will follow until reaching a 0.3-mile out-and-back spur. After completing this spur, runners will turn left (south) onto the packed dirt-and-gravel Green River Road, where runners will climb slowly up the first significant hill of the course (which isn’t much, actually) and then across the beautiful Green River Covered Bridge in Guilford, built in the 1870’s. To the right of the bridge is the Green River Crib Dam built of logs and stone in 1810. A beautiful 3.4 miles down dirt road from the covered bridge is the Vermont – Massachusetts state line, marked by a granite post up on the hill to the right. This is the approximate halfway point of the race. 1.6 miles past the border, runners will come back onto the pavement for another 1.2 miles, after which they will then turn left to stay on Green River Road. About 500 feet later, the pavement ends and runners are back on packed dirt-and-gravel for the next 5 miles. A half mile after regaining the dirt road, runners will bear right to remain on Green River Road. For the next 0.4 miles, runners will climb what we call “Airstream Hill” for the vintage airstream trailers parked on the left side; this hill rises 80 feet over that distance. From the top of the hill, 111 Green River Road (marked on a prominent mailbox), runners have 3.1 miles of mostly downhill until reaching the most challenging hill on the route. Runners should be extremely careful on this big hill, as the curves are tight, sight-distance is limited, and there are dangerous drop-offs on the left side of the road. This hill rises 85 feet in a half mile. From the top of the hill, it’s about 5.5 miles of mostly downhill on paved rural and suburban roads through the Greenfield Meadows section of town. The course turns left on Nichols Road, right on Plain Road, right again on Meadow lane, and then left on Colrain Road. These turns will be well marked and staffed with race marshals. At the Colrain Road rotary, the course turns right and climbs slightly up a wide, paved access road (College Drive) to the finish at Greenfield Community College.
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Nice downhill course in New England
Packet was mailed, so no expo. Course was all on road, although a good portion of it was dirt/gravel road. I was impressed that the party was still happening and … MORE
Packet was mailed, so no expo. Course was all on road, although a good portion of it was dirt/gravel road. I was impressed that the party was still happening and all of the special treats still available even for the back of the pack. Swag was a cotton t-shirt and a smaller wooden medal. Can count for either Vermont or Massachusetts for 50 Staters!
Over the river & through the woods
BOTTOM LINE: The New England Green River Marathon is clearly a marathon created for runners and by runners, with no other distance offered and with the stunning beauty of the New England countryside in … MORE
BOTTOM LINE: The New England Green River Marathon is clearly a marathon created for runners and by runners, with no other distance offered and with the stunning beauty of the New England countryside in the starring role. The course runs point to point from Marlboro, VT to Greenfield, MA on ~40% paved roads and ~60% unpaved gravel roads, traveling alongside its namesake river for much of the race. Registration opens early in the year (Jan/Feb) and sells out its ~550 slots quickly with no waitlist. So this is very much a “you snooze, you lose” affair.
As road races go, NEGRM is a decidedly low-frills affair with no pre-race expo (bib numbers were mailed several weeks before race day), no pre-race pasta dinner, and a small but sufficient post-race party that included three food trucks plus a beer station, none of which I sampled because my stomach is a post-race buzzkill. If you thrive on spectator support and on-course entertainment, this may not be your ideal marathon. But if you favor low-key, picturesque gems that play to their strengths and let Nature do the talking, then do yourself a favor and check out NEGRM. In comparison to a very similar marathon, the Clarence DeMar Marathon in nearby New Hampshire, I liked Clarence DeMar a bit more for its diverse scenery and compelling pre-race speaker (Dick Beardsley in 2019). That said, either race comes highly recommended, and do keep in mind that 50 Staters can count NEGRM for either Vermont (where it starts) or Massachusetts (where it finishes). Double your pleasure!
Two key factors combine to make NEGRM a deceptively challenging course. The first is its steady downhill trajectory (net elevation loss of ~1,400 ft), which you really don’t appreciate until your overworked quads cry “uncle” late in the race. And the second is the insidious humidity, which wreaks havoc on your body’s ability to cool itself efficiently. In fact, Race Director Tom Raffensperger reported that if the race had been scheduled for three days earlier, given the combination of high heat & humidity he would have been forced to cancel.
So a word of warning to prospective runners: while the New England Green River Marathon is a beautifully memorable run in the woods, it’s definitely not a walk in the park.
PRODUCTION: Race production was streamlined in scope—as noted above there was no pre-race expo or pasta dinner and no on-course entertainment, while the modest post-race festival consisted of three food trucks and a live local band. When it came to the details that mattered most, however, the New England Green River Marathon team did a spot-on job of setting expectations and delivering a seamless experience as far as timing, aid station support, course markings, mile markers, volunteers in all the right places, etc. And I know that fellow 50 Stater @slowjuan was surprised and delighted to discover UnTapped energy gel for the first time, which apparently infuses pure Vermont maple syrup with real coffee for a sweet surge of energy.
SWAG: Not surprisingly, race swag comprised the basics: bib number, shirt and medal. Given that only the latter of the three matters to me, I appreciate the wooden medallion that’s tastefully rendered and smartly designed to convey a classic Vermont vibe, even if the green ribbon feels like an afterthought. The short-sleeve cotton shirt, on the other hand, fits nicely enough but features dark green & red lettering on a royal blue background for a visually cacophonous ensemble that—unfortunately for the sponsors—renders all but the largest lettering unreadable.
WONDERFUL RACE!!!
This is an absolute GEM of a marathon. The course is stunning, it is lush and private and beautiful - 26.2 miles of woods and river and waterfalls and quaint … MORE
This is an absolute GEM of a marathon. The course is stunning, it is lush and private and beautiful – 26.2 miles of woods and river and waterfalls and quaint VT/MA architecture, it was just such a pleasure to take it all in.
The race started on time with little hoopla, and the weather was absolutely perfect for late August in New England. I was dropped off at the start so didn’t experience the buses, but there were plenty of portapotties and an easy bag check.
The course description on the website is so detailed and accurate I won’t go into much here. If you are looking for a BQ or a PR this is an ideal race. The three hills are not too tough, and you are essentially running downhill the entire time unless you are climbing one of those hills. The descent in the first two miles is pretty steep! There were abundant, well-staffed aid stations with friendly volunteers. This was a very, very small race. I think fewer than 300 runners? I am a middle-of-the-pack runner, and from about mile 9 onwards I ran completely alone. If you are looking for the dense pack of runners and crowds you get in a city marathon this is not the race for you. With that said, there were several crews of locals out cheering along the course and one woman even set up an unofficial aid station in her yard which was lovely.
I love that there was a photographer at two different spots on the course and the pictures were amazing (and free!).
The finish area celebration was lovely – several different food trucks, snacks/beer/ice cream for free with registration, plus music and a massage tent.
I love that your registration fees are in support of the CT river conservancy, love supporting a good cause.
A few nit-picks: there was a fork in the course between mile 11 and 12 that was not marked. Because it’s such a small field I was running completely alone and spent about 0.8 miles guessing/hoping I picked the right direction. Would love a sign for that spot. Also, they offered Untapped gels at the aid stations but only communicated that about 1.5 weeks before the race so I wasn’t able to practice with that brand. Would have appreciated much more advanced notice about that.
Honestly, if it worked for my schedule and life I would/will probably run this race every single year. It was such a blast.
Scenic rolling, mostly downhill course
Gorgeous scenery with a wonderful small town environment, friendly and helpful volunteers, great t shirts! Really enjoyed sitting at the greenfield community college after to enjoy music, food and beverage! MORE
Gorgeous scenery with a wonderful small town environment, friendly and helpful volunteers, great t shirts! Really enjoyed sitting at the greenfield community college after to enjoy music, food and beverage!
"Cool and Green and Shady....."
Hard not to think about John Denver’s soothing hit from the ‘70s when you run the Green River Marathon. Touted as one of the most scenic marathon courses in the … MORE
Hard not to think about John Denver’s soothing hit from the ‘70s when you run the Green River Marathon. Touted as one of the most scenic marathon courses in the nation, it does not disappoint. The first 20 miles of the course run alongside the beautiful Green River where runners are never far from the sound of water tumbling down the steep, rocky course of the stream or cascading in from small waterfalls. (The constant susurration of the River made frequent “biological breaks” a necessity. Pretty sure my bladder could hear all that flowing water.)
The first mile of the race is the absolute steepest. Expect a wide-eyed, adrenaline-fueled, downhill stampede from the Starting Line ….. but consider tapping-the-brakes and conserving your shock absorbers for what is yet to come. The race course has a net downhill drop of more than 1,400 feet, which would appear to be an invitation for a PR or BQ, but there’s also 650 feet of uphill elevation hidden deceptively along the course. Watch for grinder-grades at M17 and M21, which can be soul breakers at that stage of the race.
Highlights? There are many: Corridors of trees that canopy the course for miles, like a long green tunnel. Glimpses of the scenic Berkshires through the leaves. The forest floor of moss-covered logs and dense ferns. Quiet stretches of peaceful, cool silence to find your Zen-rhythm. An historic covered bridge at Mile 10. (Don’t run across too many of those in Oklahoma.) And my new favorite discovery?!? The aid stations handed-out “Untapped” energy packets of coffee-infused maple syrup!!! This rivals the revelation of the chocolate/peanut butter marriage. How can you NOT love two individually awesome items crashed together?
Brew Reviews: Depending on how you travel to Greenfield, check out Connecticut Valley Brewing in South Windsor, CT, Fort Hill Brewing in Easthampton, MA, Berkshire Brewing in Deerfield, MA and don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy a post-race burger and beer on the scenic deck of Whetstone Craft Beers in Brattleboro, VT overlooking the Connecticut River with the Berkshire Mountains in nearby repose.
Every marathon deserves its own reward.
“Find yourself and maybe lose yourself,
While your free spirit flies.”
– Cool and Green and Shady –
John Denver
1943 – 1997
Rest in Peace
Beautiful Riverview Course!
I loved this as my 1st marathon; unfortunately I was injured so I didn't do as well as I hoped. But this course is one I would definitely consider running … MORE
I loved this as my 1st marathon; unfortunately I was injured so I didn’t do as well as I hoped. But this course is one I would definitely consider running again. Small, well organized and supported point to point race. I loved running along the packed dirt road along the Green River and over a few bridges. It’s also a net downhill course, so I think alot of people usually PR it. Very scenic! The weather was great on race day, if maybe a bit warm, but with the tree-cover, it was perfect.
Fabulous inaugural race
This was Marathon #61 and I was coming off a tough, slow, hot, hilly race in Vermont in July. This was just what the doctor ordered. It was the first … MORE
This was Marathon #61 and I was coming off a tough, slow, hot, hilly race in Vermont in July. This was just what the doctor ordered. It was the first year of the race but hopefully they’ll put it on again next year!
First, it’s very small. The race was capped at 350 runners and there was a waitlist if you didn’t jump on it quickly. It’s only a marathon, no half or 10k. I met some runners who did make it off the list to run though. They have a nice informative website and good communication before the race. Also good pics of the course on Facebook. This race does something unusual (that I love, personally): they mail your bib and some race info ahead of time and there is no expo. Not being a fan of expos, I was happy with that!
The pre-race situation is easy. Park at Greenfield Community College in MA (plenty of parking) and ride the bus up to Marlboro Community College in VT. They recognized that they need more portojohns so I’ll leave that alone. I had no issue. The start line was very pretty and quiet; there was a trio from the college playing Zydeco music on guitar, violin, and accordion which was cool.
The start went off without a hitch. You run through the woods on a dirt/gravel path most of the race. It was a great surface and the trees made it shady and soooo refreshingly cool. You’re by the river the majority of the time and it’s just beautiful!! I didn’t take many pictures since I was feeling so good (and set a PR by a few seconds) but it’s gorgeous. It was a semi-warm day overall at the end but I didn’t feel it until the last four or five miles out in the open and even then, not anything compared to Virginia!
There were a handful of aid stations and cheering spectators, but don’t run this race for crowds. It’s a beautiful run on a nice surface through the woods, not a city race.
The RD was blowing a funny horn at the finish as runners crossed the finish line and the medal you receive is a really pretty wooden medallion which fits the theme. The shirt is really good too, a nice forest green tech with the logo.
Overall opinion is this is a great event. Well marked and well organized, I’d do it again. The weather really cooperated, having been rainy prior to the race week (and washing out part of a bridge that they still somehow managed to finagle getting runners across!). Just an overall well done event put on by runners, for runners. Great race!