The fifth annual Mad Marathon, Mad Half and relays are scheduled for Sunday, July 12, 2015. Nicknamed the “World’s Most Beautiful Marathon,” runners typically come from nearly all 50 states and a dozen or more countries. They keep coming back to experience the Mad River Valley's hospitality, hills, farms and the TLC.
Additional runners and spectators are expected due to a two-person Mad Half and a three- or five-person relay. The breakdown for the five-person relay includes two legs that are less than 4 miles each. This means the Mad Marathon has a race for every runner at any level. And for those who know someone who is itching to run the Boston Marathon, let them know it's an official Boston qualifier. Registration is available through HYPERLINK "http://active.com/" \t "_blank" E HYPERLINK "http://ventbrite.com/" \t "_blank" ventbrite.com or via a link at HYPERLINK "http://www.madmarathon.com/" \t "_blank" www.madmarathon.com. Final registration is on July 8 or when the race is full. For questions, to volunteer or support a nonprofit, please email HYPERLINK "mailto:
“The Mad Marathon is delighted to be celebrating its fifth anniversary. When I look back on the hard work of our volunteers, our loyal sponsors and how welcoming this community is I am honored and thrilled with our progress. We are welcoming back presenting sponsors Sugarbush Resort and Lenny's Shoe and Apparel for the 2015 event,” said race director Dori Ingalls.
Ingalls continued, "Since the beginning of the Mad Marathon in 2011, we have worked closely with a number of nonprofits and that tradition continues. We're even starting a new tradition this year, a Celebrity Waiter Dinner at Timbers on the Thursday before the race. The proceeds from that event will benefit Vermont Adaptive. It's very gratifying to get more attention and funds aimed at great local charities. Hannah's House has been with us from the beginning and this year they are aiming for over 100 runners raising $60,000. I've been told it makes their fundraising fun. We see terrific athletes with really big hearts come back year after year and at this point we feel like a big, extended family. Our fifth anniversary is a milestone we all feel very good about thanks to this great community."
Mad Marathon festivities start on Thursday, July 9, with a Celebrity Waiter Dinner at Timbers Restaurant. This fundraising dinner of locally grown food will launch the Mad Marathon weekend of events to celebrate the fifth anniversary. A pre-dinner cocktail party at the Gate House is open to the public with Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon race director, philanthropist, author and athlete, to speak. Stay posted for announcements of celebrity waiters and event details. On Friday at the Waitsfield Inn there is a Race Expo and packet pickup. Another new event added to celebrate the fifth year will be a community concert hosted by Crosspoint Associates on the Mad River Green. The Big Basin Band will be playing to benefit the Skatium. The Saturday's events include packet pickup, the Waitsfield Farmers’ Market, Mad Carbo dinners at local restaurants and a 6:30 p.m. Kids Fun Run on the Mad River Green. The kids run through the Mad Marathon finish line to receive their medals. From 7 to 9 p.m. listen to music by Phineas Gage and enjoy the ice cream party on the Mad River Green.
Race day, Sunday, July 12, starts early with packet pickups from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. at the Waitsfield Inn and the race starts promptly at 7 a.m. after the national anthem. Earlier this year Vacation Home Rentals and part of the online service Trip Advisor compared marathons around the U.S. to pick the top one in each state deserving of a road trip. Criteria ranged from amazing scenery to all-out fun and the Mad Marathon took top honors for the state of Vermont.
