The Vermont City Marathon & Relay is back. Here's what you need to know
Three years later, the M&T Vermont City Marathon & Relay is finally back for Memorial Day Weekend.
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced race organizer RunVermont to cancel Vermont's biggest sporting event in each of last two years, the VCM makes its return in full this Sunday.
Marathoners, hand cyclists and relay runners hit the Burlington streets — and will receive cheers and roars from throngs of spectators and supporters. Marathon crowds in past years have been estimated in the 20,000 range.
Here's what you need to know ahead of this year's marathon weekend:
When and where?
► Date: Sunday, May 29.
► Time: 7 a.m.
► Starting line: Waterfront Park
► Finish line: Waterfront Park
► Race organizer: RunVermont Inc.
► Race sponsor: M&T Bank
COVID-19 protocols
► RunVermont is requiring all runners, volunteers and staff to show proof of COVID vaccination. To get race bib, runners must show proof in form of original document or photo at packet pick-up (see below for schedule).
► Masks required on all public transportation.
► Race to be conducted with a wave format to reduce crowded start.
Weekend schedule
Friday, May 27
1-8 p.m.: Packet Pick-Up at the Sport & Fitness EXPO, DoubleTree by Hilton (870 Williston Road, South Burlington).
Saturday, May 28
8:30 a.m.: Timberlane Dental Group Mini Marathon at Waterfront Park.
9-7 p.m.: Packet Pick-Up at the Sport & Fitness EXPO, DoubleTree by Hilton.
Sunday, May 29
7 a.m.: First of three waves of marathoners.
7:09 a.m.: 3-5-person relay teams.
7:12 a.m.: 2-person relay teams.
*Starting times subject to change
Road closures and parking
See our story, here.
Course map
RunVermont has designed a two-loop, 13.1-mile course to provide a safe running experience amid community health concerns. The map:
Storylines ahead of Sunday
► Four RunVermont hall of famers will seek to extend their streak of completing every VCM since its inception in 2019. The foursome are: James Leary (60 years old), Bob O'Brien (67), Russ Petelle (74) and Vic Tirrito (68).
► Two octogenarians and members of the RunVermont HOF will attempt to complete Sunday's marathon. They are: Lynn Hans and Newton Baker.
Welcome to the hall: RunVermont announces 2022 hall of fame class ahead of marathon
► Liz Jenkins and Hardin Watkins, North Carolina residents and volunteers since 2010, will be honored with the M&T Bank Achievement Award at Friday's hall of fame ceremony.
► The men's course record has a chance to fall with 2019 champion Sergio Reyes and three-time winner Tyler Andrews headlining a field that includes young Vermont stars Tyler Marshall (23 years old) and William McGovern (24). The women's elite field is small but the race is wide-open.
The invitation: Former VT high school stars among field of invited runners for the Vermont City Marathon
► Alicia Dana, a four-time VCM winner, owns the course record for women's handcyclists with a time of 1:20:14, set in 2017. She also won in 2019.
How many are registered for VCM?
►There are 2,349 runners signed up for the marathon; another 11 for the handcyle competition and 1 registered for Push Rim.
►There are 550 2-person relay teams and 434 3-5-person relay squads.
Where marathoners are from
► There are 44 states represented, from Alabama to Wyoming. The most are from Vermont (29%), Massachusetts (21.9%) and New York (11%).
Course records
►Men: 2:17:03, Michael Kobotov, 2001.
►Women: 2:35:02, Heidi Westerling 2009.
►Handcycle Male: 1:20:14, Kyrs Zybowski, 2017.
►Handcycle Female: 1:20:14 by Alicia Dana, 2017.
Weather
►The average temperature at marathon start time has been in the mid-50s. The average high has been 70, with the mercury on average at 67 by noon.
►In 2016, the marathon was stopped early because of excessive heat. Since then, it has begun at 7 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.
►In 2019, a brief thunderstorm forced officials to delay the start of the marathon for the first time in race history.
►Forecast for 2022 marathon: High of 78 with a mix of sunshine and clouds, according to weather.com's report on Thursday. There is only a 6% chance of rain.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont City Marathon & Relay 2022: Guide to the events and race
