Leaf Peepers Half Marathon

Along the eastern fold of the Green Mountains, scenic byways and Interstate 89 converge in Waterbury, providing ready access to Stowe, Montpelier, Burlington, and the Mad River Valley. Visit Waterbury and you will see that we are a place of uncommon dining, where people connect over locally sourced cuisine and refreshments, while reconnecting with the flavors of life in Vermont.We are a place of uncommon accommodations and events. To help manifest the vacation or wedding of your dreams, we unite in shared purpose: to provide a setting that inspires the heart and opens the mind.With that beinf said, the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon is the place to be!!Organized and staged by the Central Vermont Runners club, the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon has been a fixture in this northern Vermont town for a quarter century. It’s also timed to coincide with one of the most popular tourist seasons in the Northeast, the fall foliage viewing season.From the starting line at Waterbury’s Keurig Green Mountain Complex, this out-and-back race unfolds along terrain that’s described by the organizers as “rolling,” and is mostly run along dirt trails — about 75 percent dirt surface and 25 percent paved road.

Along the eastern fold of the Green Mountains, scenic byways and Interstate 89 converge in Waterbury, providing ready access to Stowe, Montpelier, Burlington, and the Mad River Valley. Visit Waterbury and you will see that we are a place of uncommon dining, where people connect over locally sourced cuisine and refreshments, while reconnecting with the flavors of life in Vermont.We are a place of uncommon accommodations and events. To help manifest the vacation or wedding of your dreams, we unite in shared purpose: to provide a setting that inspires the heart and opens the mind.With that beinf said, the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon is the place to be!!Organized and staged by the Central Vermont Runners club, the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon has been a fixture in this northern Vermont town for a quarter century. It’s also timed to coincide with one of the most popular tourist seasons in the Northeast, the fall foliage viewing season.From the starting line at Waterbury’s Keurig Green Mountain Complex, this out-and-back race unfolds along terrain that’s described by the organizers as “rolling,” and is mostly run along dirt trails — about 75 percent dirt surface and 25 percent paved road.

Our half marathon course takes runners through Waterbury, up Perry Hill Road to spectacular “leaf peeper” views, down to a paved out and back, over the scenic Waterbury Community Path, a dirt single track path, and returns through Waterbury. The 5K course goes part way up Perry Hill and then returns to the start.Half marathon is 75% paved, 25% dirt. 5K is entirely paved. Both races start and finish at Pilgrim 5, Waterbury.

The 13.1-mile course for the race takes the hundreds of runners who participate in the race each year through some of Vermont’s most scenic country backroad areas, through the towns of Duxbury and Waterbury, which is perhaps best known as the home of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, whose factory is Vermont’s most popular tourist attraction.

Water stations approximately every two miles serving Vermont Pure Spring Water. Gatorade at the 6 and 9 mile water stop, compliments of RGS Energy. Portolets at Pilgrim 5 start/finish area. Three portolets are also available around mile 7 at the ball field parking lot. No changing/showering facilities are available.

Post-race refreshments include KC bagels, Cabot cheese, Cold Hollow cider, Keurig Green Mountain coffee, Vermont Pure Spring Water, Champlain Orchards apples.

Great local Vermont awards for first male and first female finishers and for each division, three deep. Special awards for Onion River Sports Queen and King of the Hill – the first woman and first man to the top of Perry Hill Road. Awards will be based on gun time.

Chip timing by Granite State Race Services.