Author: Silas Talbot

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42nd Kaynor’s Sap Run 2023 Recap

Westford, VT – On Saturday 1 April 2023 the Green Mountain Athletic Association (GMAA) hosted the 42nd running of the Kaynor’s Sap Run 10k. Vermonters know to expect the unexpected when it comes to mud season weather and race day was no exception. It was pouring rain with temperatures in the 30s when the course was marked. The rain stopped before the race started and the sun was out at the finish line with temperatures climbing to the mid-60s by early afternoon. No foolin’!

The racers made their way out-and-back on dirt roads dodging potholes, mud puddles, and some snowy patches. The Sap Run racers are a hearty bunch and were rewarded with local cider donuts and cider as their post-race replenishment. Prizes for the top 2 finishers in both the male and female categories were awarded. This year GMAA has added a non-binary category but no runners self-identified in this category for this year’s Sap Run. There were also random raffle prizes of maple syrup and a basket of soap from Twincraft Skincare.

Female top finishers:

1) Kasie Enman

2) Kim Lord

Male top finishers:

1) John Stanton-Geddes

2) Jurdan Mossburg

Full results can be found on RunSignup

GMAA is an all-volunteer running club and it would not be possible to put on races without the amazing support of our race day volunteers. This group is incredible and the race directors are incredibly grateful for their time, energy and smiles! Many thanks to: the Parking Crew (Nik Ponzio, Peter Mitchell, Ricky Wood, and Hillary Holmes), the Registration Crew (Bob Sayers and Ruth Blauwiekel), the Course Marshal Crew (Dee Christie, June Golato, Ted McKnight, Michael Snyder, and Hillary Holmes ), and the Finish Line Crew (Silas Talbot, Martha Keenan, Bob Monette, Justin Kunz, and Gordon MacFarland). Diane would like to send a special shout-out to Tom Kelly who is retiring from Kaynor’s Sap Run race directing after 10 years. THANK YOU, TOM!

GMAA appreciates our devoted sponsors: SkiRack (skirack.com) and UnTapped Natural Athletic Fuel (untapped.cc).

Thank you!

Happy running!

Diane Fuchs and Tom Kelly

Kaynor’s Sap Run race directors

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2021 Turkey Trot Recap

What an amazing turnout!  Despite fairly chilly temperatures, we had 700 runners this year including a great field of really enthusiastic kids.  The enthusiasm demonstrated by all was surpassed only by the generosity of the group.  We raised $6,800 for Feeding Chittenden and collected 507 pounds of food!

Most would agree that the conditions were nearly perfect for late November in Vermont.  Temperatures were in the 30’s and there was no precipitation.  The ground was, for the most part, firm.  That led to some great finish times.  The first three women were Becca Ades (19:10) of Brooklyn, NY, Andrea Allen (19:55) of Burlington, and Sarah McShane (20:12) of Burlington.  The first three men, with a very close finish, were Trevor Houchens (16:38) of South Burlington, Patrick McAllister (16:42) of Burlington and Dan Peters (17:06) of Burlington.

A very special thank you to our wonderful volunteers: Emily Bloom, Rick Brigham, Harry Curth, Sandra Dickin, Anna Kalfus, Josh Kalfus, Lee Krohn, Josie Kummer, Jan Leja, Allie Nerenberg (and family), Erin Randall, Mark Reif, Wayne Reisberg, Bob Sayers and Kirsten Wiley.

A particularly special shout-out to Anne Treadwell who again organized the kids’ race.

Your Race Directors,
Tom Nuovo and Howard Kalfus

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Green Mountain Athletic Association announces 2021 Scholarship winners

The GMAA will award two scholarships of $1,000 each to graduating seniors to help fund their college careers. The two winners were chosen among many applicants, and were determined based on their academic achievements, community and school involvement, and their love of the sport of running.

The scholarship winners are:

Ella Bohmann of CVU – Ella participated in four sports in her high school career, but was most active in running. She will attend Tulane University in the fall and will major in Communications with a minor in English. After graduation she pictures herself working for a magazine or publishing company in the areas of heath or athletics. Some of her most memorable experiences in her running career have been the camaraderie and friendships she’s made with her teammates. Ella and her family have been GMAA members for many years.

Luna Hall of Mount Mansfield Union High School – Luna exceled in cross-country, gymnastics, and track and field all 4 of year high school years, and also raced for the GMAA in regional junior races, and will continue running for the University of Vermont this fall. At UVM Luna will study biology and zoology on the pre-veterinary program and would like to focus on wildlife preservation and animal behavior, with the ultimate goal of becoming a wildlife veterinarian and do research on endangered species. Luna enjoys volunteering at sporting events because she used to look up to those who volunteered their time when she was younger.

Congratulations, Ella and Luna!

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2021 Clarence DeMar 5k Race Recap

Thanks to all who celebrated Independence Day with the first restriction-free GMAA race since the start of the pandemic! The 39th Annual (held virtually in 2020) Clarence DeMar 5k was held on an uncharacteristically cool morning, a perfect day to share the roads of South Hero with our long lost running friends. 

Very special guest, “Papa” Ray Allen, former UVM (‘59) cross country and track standout and the reason behind the inaugural running of this race back in 1983, served as the official starter of this year’s race. After some reminiscing on Clarence Demar, the race’s namesake, former resident of South Hero, UVM alumni (‘11), who later went on to infamously win 7 Boston Marathons, the nearly 300 racers were off in a blur of red, white, and blue. The out and back course passes DeMar’s former home as well as “Papa” Ray’s Allenholm Farm, twice.

Adron Pitmon, former MMU high school standout, won the men’s field with a time of 15:59.3 and Jennifer Sober, making the trip all the way from Jupiter, Florida, doubled as open and masters champion in 18:08.3. A fierce battle ensued for top 50-59 competitors with Francis Burdett edging out age group rivals Josh Brown and Dale Flanders for 9th, 10th, and 11th overall. All three, notably, ahead of this author’s husband and 40-49 age group winner, Eli Enman. Many thanks to race sponsors, generous raffle donators, volunteers, and racers.

Race Results: http://802timing.com/results/21results/runresults/7.4.21overallclarence.htm#M

Race Photos (credit Rob Swanson & Chris Kline): https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/Location/Photos3/VT/SouthHero/ClarenceDeMarRoadRace

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2021 Solstice Run Recap

After a few years of being lost on the calendar the race formerly known as the Equinox Trail Run was renamed the Solstice Trail Run, and not to disappoint, was also moved to the Fall Equinox under its original name. The best of both worlds! Are you confused yet? So it was that the 1st Annual, GMAA Solstice Trail Run 5k & 10k races were held on a beautiful summer day along the fields, single track and old sugar-wood roads of the Keenan Family’s homestead in Charlotte, Vermont. As usual, the race brought out a full range of participants, from kids to grandparents, gnarly veterans to newbies, and everyone in between. In fact, the first finisher overall in the 5k was 16 year old Avery Smart of Montpelier with a sizable lead over the next across the line. The traditional firing up of the bbq and post-race potluck had to wait until the fall edition of the race, due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions, but everyone still left with a smile after a fun and challenging run.


Race Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/107205#resultSetId-259394;perpage:100