100 on 100 racers challenged by distance, terrain and weather

Photo One: Teammates Bill Hartnett and Tim Peek await Christy Lynn who ran the first  leg of the 100 mile relay. The Day began at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe and ended at Okemo’s Jackson Gore Resort.

Photo Two: Rochester School was a transition spot during the 100 on 100 Relay race held Saturday, Aug. 15. Racers stand ready for their second leg of the day, with thunderstorms looming in the distance.

Photo Three: A racer passes through the Pine Brook covered bridge in Waitsfield.

By Polly Lynn

On Saturday, Aug. 15 runners experienced it all: sun, rain, thunder, lightning — and 100 miles of Route 100’s hilly terrain through the heart of Vermont. It was certainly an epic day.

“Every year we see participants and volunteers dig deep and discover something they may not have know they had,” said event organizers in a thank you message to participants after the race. “We now have new friendships and stories that bond us. We are all stronger (although it may take a few days to recover) and better for taking on the challenge. This is the essence of the 100on100 Relay, providing us all with a chance to soak in all that life has to offer, deepen friendships and create new ones. Whether you are a first time participant or an experienced veteran, you are now part of the Heart of Vermont family. Thank you all for rising to the challenge.”

Volunteers from the Boys and Girls Clubs in Vermont, Hancock Pride, and the Women’s Rugby Club made the day possible and fun.

In total 143 six-person teams and seven ultra teams (two-person teams) completed the 100 mile course, with approximately 872 runners participating. The fastest overall time was 10 hours and 13 minutes (an average pace of 6.08 minutes per mile). On the other end of the spectrum, the team that raced the longest was on Route 100 for 17 hours and 29 seconds (an average of 10:29 minutes per mile.)