August 2025 Newsletter

Is it just me or does summer seem to go by faster every year? I acknowledge that my view of the calendar is more than a little skewed as a school district employee, but once we flip the calendar to August, it feels like time speeds up. I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the little things that this fleeting season brings. Because my work schedule slows significantly during the summer, we tend to pack in as many adventures as we can into these weeks, which only makes it go by more quickly. Looking back, however, I am always grateful that we took advantage of the warmer days, blooming flowers, and the free time we have to explore new places. 

On that note, I hope you all have been enjoying the season, and would love to see what you have been up to! Therefore, we are holding a SUMMER PHOTO CONTEST! Please submit a photo from your favorite summer running/hiking adventure, be it a casual hike, run, or race to uppervalleyrunningclub@gmail.com by September 21st. Given that no one on our board (to my knowledge, anyway) has any credentials as an art critic, winners will be chosen via a very subjective and unscientific process, awarded some UVRC swag, and featured in our October newsletter. 

Cheers to long days, productive gardens, and mountain adventures.

Kristina

Summer Picnic

Thanks to all who came out to Union Village Dam to help us celebrate the season! Special thanks to Cara for organizing it, and to Scott, Scott and Beth for all of your help with grilling and setting up. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves, and think that it went down in the record books for the most efficient clean-up ever!

Racing Opportunity – 6 Hours of Lovers Lane:

6 hours of Lovers Lane (12 hour option also available!) takes place on 8/9 in Chester, VT. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to do a long run while prepping for the VT50, anyone looking to try a timed event for the first time, or anyone looking to spend a fun day on the trails while supporting a great cause. The RDs are top-notch humans raising money for Turning Point Recovery in Springfield, VT. If you miss it this year, put it on your calendar for 2026! 

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=125550

Documentary at Middlebury New Film Makers Festival

My name is Misty Stevens and I’m the Impact Coordinator for the feature documentary film Remaining Native, a coming-of-age story told through the perspective of Ku Stevens, a young Native American runner navigating college athletics while the memory of his great-grandfather’s 50 mile escape from an Indian boarding school begins to connect past, present, and future.

The film had its world premiere this March at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and received the Documentary Feature Special Jury Award and the Audience Award. Since the premiere, Remaining Native has been earning awards at various festivals across the country, including:

• Special Jury Mention for cinematography, Dallas Film Festival 
• Emerging Documentary Jury Award, Milwaukee Film Festival
• Best Indigenous Feature, Deadcenter Film Festival in Oklahoma
• Best Documentary Feature, Best Editing, and Best Director at Nevada City Film Festival!

Remaining Native shows the power of running as a tool to connect and build community and we’re so excited to share the film in Vermont!. We invite your runners to join us for our screening at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (ticket link) on:

• Thursday August 21st at 2:00 PM at the Middlebury Marquis Theatre.
  

Should folks be interested in helping spread the word, here is our social media toolkit with social media assets, flyers, language about the event etc. for easy sharing.

Volunteer Challenge Update

The 2025 Volunteer Challenge is on! Every hour that you as a UVRC member spend volunteering at a race/running event or doing trail work will get you one ticket into a drawing for some sweet swag and prizes at the end of the year. Each time you volunteer at an event, email us at volunteering@uppervalleyrunningclub.org with the subject line “UVRC Volunteer Challenge”. Let us know the number of hours and at what event you volunteered. We’ll keep track of your hours for you until the big drawing at the end of the year!

Running Warehouse Discount Code

As part of your UVRC membership, you are eligible to receive 20% off socks and clothing and 10% off nutrition, select clearance shoes, and hats/visors. Enter the discount code BS4U2KNQ at checkout. Note: this is a new code as of July 1st.

Sponsorship Opportunity

Do you work for a company or know of a local business that is supportive of UVRC and our mission to provide an inclusive community for runners of all abilities? We are currently seeking business sponsorships to fund swag items for UVRC programs. Opportunities for advertisement on such items is an option. Please reach out to contact@uppervalleyrunningclub.org to learn more!

Racing Opportunity: Middlebury Maple Run 10/19

A few key event details:

·         USATF-certified half marathon, 5K and 10K courses

·         Well-organized, great swag, inspiring music on course, complimentary post-race breakfast

·         Scenic routes with views of the Green Mountains and Adirondacks

·         Free 18-week training plan

Run club discount: If you can guarantee registration for 5 or more runners, we will provide you with a 10% discount code for your registrants to use.  Email us (UVRC) if you have a group of 5 runners and we can get you the discount code!

Registration and Additional Race Info:

·         To register or learn more, please check out the race website: https://www.middleburymaplerun.com/.  

The sixth race in the Upper Valley Running Series (UVRS) was the Red, White, and Blue 6.2, a fun 5K/10K to celebrate our country’s birth on July 4th. Great work by UVRC! Results:

http://pinnacletiming.us/index.php?n=red_white_and_blue_62_overall_2025

The next race is on August 24th, the Triple Dam 10K in Perkinsville VT.

https://www.runlikeardy.com/races/triple-dam-10k/

What’s the UVRS? It’s our club’s series of local road races. Checkout the UVRS website for the latest information:

https://uppervalleyrunningclub.org/upper-valley-running-series/

UVRS results are now available! Check the UVRS website (above).

Not running? Got a friend or family member who will be there but not running? Consider volunteering:

https://uppervalleyrunningclub.org/volunteering/

Happy Running!

Geoff and the UVRS committee

Name of the Race: The Reschenseelauf in South Tyrol, Italy

Race/Event Distance: 15k

Date: 7/12/25

Describe the Event: The race website describes the race very accurately as “A well-maintained walking path runs around South Tyrol’s largest lake. It’s ideal for cycling, hiking, and, above all, running. The 15.3 km long lake circuit is one of the most beautiful routes for a running event in South Tyrol.A magnificent panorama opens up to the north, towards Austria and Switzerland, while a unique view opens up to the south, with views of the Ortler and Königspitze. The start and finish area for the Reschenseelauf is located directly next to the historic church tower in the lake in Graun.” 

We participated in the “Just For Fun” category of this 25th annual race event which was the third time offered as a night-run, We were given LED head lamps that worked very well. The race ended with a souvenir medal for all participants and a bag of local goodies that included major sponsor snacks. 

How did you prepare for the race/event? I trained in my hometown of Norwich, Vermont while participating in local races and often joined in on TNT practices throughout the last couple of years. My partner Thomas lives mostly in Austria and we also trained on some hilly roads in his hometown of Scharten, Austria.

Any notable moments? This event is family friendly with races for kids in various distances and age categories along with a walking/nordic walking, and a hand bike category. It starts in a tunnel on the road and the finish line has you running into the food/beer tent with many friendly people cheering for you along the way! I turned 50 on July 17th, so this race was an awesome birthday moment! After the race, we travelled to the Val Gardena Valley and spent a week in Ortisei, Italy hiking in the Dolomites.

What do you wish you had known about this race/event before starting? You should book accommodations early as possible if you want to stay in close proximity to the race area. We found a nice apartment in the quaint town of Pfunds, Austria, which is about 30-40 mins away. The 2026 race details are already up on their website! There are 3000+ racers who participate in this event and it is worth the trip! https://www.reschenseelauf.it

I moved to the Upper Valley four years ago. One of the first things I did was search for a running club. I learned about the White Mountains mostly through fellow runners: hiking the 48 4,000 footers, staying in AMC huts, and the iconic Presidential Traverse. I told myself that the first time I summited Mt. Washington, I would do so on foot. I came close last year in 2024, but when I reached the Hermit Lodge, there were reports of winds approaching 70 MPH. I decided to take a detour up Boot Spur Link trail, and loop back down to Pinkham Notch. The steep rocky scramble, that is characteristic of the Whites, was more than I bargained for. It humbled me, as the mountains always do, and it would be a while before I ventured back out.

This summer, I waited for a good, reliable stretch of weather. The stars aligned the first weekend of August. I had already hiked to the base of Tuckerman Ravine three times, twice in spring when there was snow, and I craved a new route. I settled on the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead as a starting point. It’s a full 30 minutes closer than Pinkham Notch and would allow me to hike a loop down Jewell Trail. I could also tag Mt. Monroe while I am up there. 

I left about 6 am to be sure I could get a parking spot at the trailhead. I arrived about 7:30 and was happy to be able to park in one of the last few remaining spaces. The hike up was mostly uneventful. A nice steady climb with do-able small scrambles: just enough fellow hikers to feel the safety of others within range and still enjoy the quiet of nature for the majority of the walk. 

Reaching the AMC Lake of the Clouds hut felt great. I love these wooden cabins nestled in the mountains. Log books dating back 50 years, clean running water to refresh empty bottles, and any additional safety or nutritional items you might have forgotten. I stopped to polish off my 1L bottle, re-fill, then head up to Monroe. 

Summiting Monroe was the highlight of the trip. Knowing that Mt. Washington is a major tourist attraction accessible by car, motorcycle and train, I lingered here to savor the sights … and the quiet. 

I could see the little lake that gives the AMC hut its name. Then spotted the tiny cog train far out in the distance chugging up the mountain. Like a kid, I wanted to yell and point, “There’s the cog train!” I thought better of it. Kept my mouth shut and took a panoramic video instead.  

I did the short, quick walk back down to the hut to refill my water before heading on up to the Washington summit. In retrospect, it was a short, easy hike along stones that lined the path from the hut to the summit. The weather station was the first landmark to come into view as the satellites took on a larger-than-life look. The crowds, as promised, were out. I saw a line to take a picture next to the summit sign. I stood there for about 2 seconds, before I decided to go find a spot for lunch instead. I saw the sign was double-sided and there was a rocky section opposite the line that more closely resembled the hike I had just completed. I snapped a picture before going on my way.

I was actually feeling energized around noon, and asked how far it would be to walk the rest of the Presidential Range. I quickly found out this would not be an option. I made my way down Jewell Trail which gave my legs enough of a workout. 

Got home feeling good about finally accomplishing this goal. Sunday would indeed be a rest day and I ventured out late that afternoon for my first solo overnight camping trip.

Meet the Kinsmans!

The original plan was to knock out the 4 highest peaks of the Northern Presidential range over the course of the first 3 days of August. I had already completed Madison a couple years ago. Sunday would be my rest day. I’d overnight camp Sunday night, then complete Jefferson and Adams on Monday. I re-assessed my plan mid-way through. Knowing the steep, long rocky climb ahead of me, I decided to be kind to my legs and do something more manageable. I am all about longevity with nothing to prove but stamina. I want to be doing sports until I’m 90, give or take a few years. 

I had attempted the Kinsmans before with my dog. He did great, but it was May and there was still some frozen snow. With the leash, the icy scrambles, and the hiker who needed to be rescued, I decided to turn around with him after our lunch break at Kinsman Pond Shelter. This time, I went without him and reserved a camp site at Lafayette Place Campground.

I was very excited to use my Coleman two-burners stove and my one-person tent. I arrived around 7:15 pm. Enough time to get settled in before sunset then nestle in with my sleeping bag, headlamp and a good book. There were some fireworks around 10 pm, and the sound of motorcycles humming along the Franconia Notch highway; other than that, a peaceful night. Morning went smoothly. 

Best eggs ever!

The hike was much easier without Thatcher. I recall all the rocky scrambles, and they were easier without worrying about him. The peaks did not have a signpost. I triple checked to make sure I was hitting both North and South Kinsman. I checked for the geodesic stone, the cairn, with other hikers, and my GPS (luckily got signal up there). N and S Kinsman – check and check! I have now done 13 of the 48 4,000 footers. I look forward to getting to know the Whites this fall! And by the way, I first met them 30 years ago!

My First-Year Trip at Dartmouth College

There are many things in life worth doing. Being part of the running club has been one of them since I joined in 2015. It has given me a place where I feel I am part of and proud to be a part of. It keeps me healthy for other things I like to do in life. Being part of a group, I like to help when I can and that is why you can see me at the annual picnic cooking at the grill or helping with parking every year or so at the Mount Washington Road race. Another thing I donate my time to is Lebanon, my hometown, and the different things they are looking for help with. The past couple of year I have been working with the Lebanon Tree Advisory Board. There are several goals they have and the one I enjoy helping with is planting of trees. These are not the small 1-foot seedling trees, but rather 3- to 5-year-old trees that might be anywhere from 5 to 15 feet tall with a 2’ root ball weighing 60 to 120 pounds.  Being that I am older, I have found it rewarding to drive by a tree decades later and see the tree doing well. These trees might be at a school or cemetery or one of the trees I know many of you seek shade from at Colburn Park. Lebanon has started to plant the next generation of young trees for the park and other areas, you may have noticed some planted last year or this spring.

We have some dates set for this fall and we are always looking for more healthy bodied individuals or teams to lend a hand in planting. The dates put out in an e-mail are October 11^th and 18^th, both are Saturdays, and we will meet at 9. Late comers are welcome. If you are interested, please reach out to Susan Johnson – skj@susankjohnson.com and ask to be put on a e-mail list of tree plantings. You could go to the following Lebanon Tree Advisory Board | Lebanon, NH, and sign up to help and read more about the board and the goals. I look forward to seeing you all either running or planting some roots in Lebanon.