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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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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

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2020 Turkey Trot Report!

The 2020 GMAA Turkey Trot was a bit different than in years past.  Well, we didn’t really have a Turkey Trot.  But then, we sort of did.  We met outside of Gutterson Field House, collected food and cash donations for Feeding Chittenden and an estimated 100 people did show up to run the course (unmarked and unsupported; appropriately distanced, we’re told) after dropping off their donations.  In-person collections happened from 9:00 until 11:00 while online monetary donations took place over the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.  A big thanks to the Law Offices of Bauer Gravel & Farnham who gave a matching grant of $1,000.  The food donations totaled 715 pounds (the biggest collection for us in a few years) and the monetary donations totaled $3,117.56 (equally impressive given the current economy).  In addition to those running the course, many more came with their donation before or after doing their own run elsewhere.  The weather was mild with light, intermittent rain.

Had the race actually been held, we’re confident that this would have been how it unfolded:

Anne Treadwell of Burlington lead the pack for most of the race with returning champ Adrienne Brueckner of Swanton close at her heels.  Despite slipping rounding the last turn on the golf course, Anne was able to hold Adrienne at bay and crossed the finish line in 20:24.  Erin Randall of Colchester was a strong contender and actually finished just behind Anne, almost half a minute before Adrienne.  However, post-race tests showed that, at some point during the race, Luna shared her dog treats with Erin in violation of GMAA and USATF anti-doping policies.  Accordingly, Erin was disqualified and Adrienne’s 21:03 earned her a silver medal to compliment last year’s gold.

On the men’s side, Binney Mitchell of Burlington and Allen Mead of Hinesburg had what could only be described as a cage match (or, rather, would be considered a cage match but GMAA bylaws demand that all races be cage-free).  Neck-in-neck for the entire race, the two approached the final stretch with the race clock reading 16:55.  Much to Binney’s eternal shame, his father, Peter Mitchell of Jericho, leading the 80-89 age group, blew past both Binney and Allen, finishing the race in 17:04.  Allen finished second in 17:06.  At the time of this writing, Binney still hasn’t finished the race and is reportedly still laying on the course sobbing inconsolably where he got passed by his old man.

Had there been a race, we’re confident that all past volunteers would have done so again and we thank them for their unquestionable good intentions. 

See below pictures of Tom and Howard forgetting the race was cancelled and wondering where all the runners were and Tom and Howard with the donated food.

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Malcolm’s Memorial 5K

In May of this year, the Vermont running community lost Malcolm Plunkett a star runner and record holder for many Vermont high school events. GMAA Race Director Matt Solomon along with friends Brendan Copley and Olivia Plunkett have collaboratively organized a virtual 5K event in memory of Malcolm Plunkett:

What better way to celebrate Malcolm’s life than with an event that brings together the running community of Vermont and raises funds to help queer folx thrive and/or helps folx recover from addiction.

Here are some details:
What: A virtual 5K XC challenge.
When: The first weekend of August (1 & 2).
Why: We want to celebrate Malcolm’s life by joining together, running hard, and supporting a good cause.

How: Since the event is virtual, we encourage you to find your favorite local XC course (NO TRACKS) and post up your best possible 5K time. If you are in Vermont, we encourage you to revisit some staple VTXC courses. We are working with HS coaches around the area to make sure the courses are available that weekend. If you’re not in VT, run your favorite 5K course wherever you are.

Registration for the event is free; however, if you can and feel compelled, we encourage you to donate any number of the following organizations on behalf of Malcolm: Odyssey House, Inc.The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center and/or donate to next year’s event with the goal of an annual (and in-person) event.

More info here:
runreg.com/memory-of-malcolm-xc-5k