IT’S SHAMROCK TIMEEEEE!!!!!!!: The Shamrock Shuffle is one of my favorite racing events of the year because it is one where the community always turns out! AND this year in particular is special because not only is the Shamrock part of our racing series, NOT ONLY is it part of the New Hampshire Grand Prix, BUT it is in THREE Racing series including our friends and neighbors the Central Vermont Runners! It’s a great time to connect with our broader running community! So our club tent will be set up on the Lebanon green and will be a gathering point for us and others. Feel free to come by before and after the race to hang out, drop off your stuff (dry clothes, snackies, sundries, etc), and socialize with your fellow runners! For those interested we’ll also try to do a group warm up around 11:35 before the race! 

Tuesday Night Track: Welp I would say that spring appears to be here! Which means we will be making our glorious return to the track! Keep an eye out on your emails for specific details but the plan is to head back to the Hanover High School Track starting 12 March. 

March Runners Night Out will be March 12th aka Pi Day Eve…eve, at Hanover Ramuntos! Come hang out with your pal’s after Tuesday Night Track! 

2024 UVRC Memberships are Now Open!

2024 is here! Which means it is time to renew your membership! Our links our live for Individuals and Families

And as a reminder your memberships get you:

• Weekly challenges with Tuesday Night Track (TNT) workouts 
• A monthly newsletter featuring articles written by club members and board members
• Club Competition at its finest! We compete against other running clubs in NH and have our own local racing series
• Access to training, coaches, and a running community that can HELP answer your questions. Visit: https://uppervalleyrunningclub.org/
• Omer & Bob’s here in Lebanon, NH, has been a strong supporter of the club since its beginning. We meet there on Saturday mornings for group runs. They also provide members with 15% off shoes, apparel, & other running-related gear discounts.
• We also have a 10% discount with Stateline sports in West Lebanon, NH and they can offer 10% discount on all regular priced running shoes, socks, insoles, and running accessories.
• Social events like our banquet and Runner's Night Out the second Tuesday of every month!

Is there something you’d like to see our club do in 2024? Let us know! You have a Club Board of Directors who are eager to make it happen! Reach out to uppervalleyrunningclub@gmail.com 

In case you missed it we’re doing a 2024 UVRC VOLUNTEER CHALLENGE! 

Have you ever been handed a cup of water in the middle of a race on a hot day and wondered what you ever would have done without it? Have you ever crossed a road during a race without stopping because a kind stranger in a traffic vest was there to assist you? Have you ever been six hours into a race and had a smiling stranger at an aid station pour pickle juice from a jar into a cup for you and it turns your day around? (Don't knock it until you try it!) Have you ever been able to avoid running through shoe-sucking mud because someone built a footbridge on the trail in front of you? If you've answered yes to any or all of these, you have benefited from the kindness of volunteers. Running events and trail building /maintenance could not happen without the generous support of volunteers - volunteers like you and me! 

UVRC wants to see YOU out there volunteering, and this year, we are providing a little extra incentive to encourage you to do so. Here are the details about the Volunteer Challenge:

What is it? 

A drawing for a new pair of running shoes of your choice from Omer and Bob's or Stateline Sports! (And probably some other sweet prizes!)

Who is eligible? 

Any current UVRC member.

How do I earn tickets? 

For every hour of volunteer service either at a running event/race or trail work, you will get one ticket in the raffle. More hours will get you more chances to win, but even one hour of volunteer work will get you in the drawing!

When will this occur? 

Any volunteer work in the calendar year 2024 will make you eligible. If you volunteered at a Dartmouth track meet earlier in the year, you are already eligible to be in the running for some new shoes! 

How do I make sure my hours will be counted? 

Email me, Kristina, at kjsiladi @ gmail .com with the subject line "UVRC Volunteer Challenge". Let me know the number of hours and at what event you volunteered. I'll keep track of hours until the big drawing at the end of the year!

Upcoming Opportunities

• The Mount Washington Road Race is in need of volunteers! Historically the MWRR crew assigns volunteer positions by club/group so we all focus on one task e.g. one club does water hand out, one club does check in, etc. We haven’t been assigned a task yet but in the past the UVRC has been instrumental in keeping the flow of traffic going and managing the parking which requires a lot of friendly faces to keep everything working smoothly! In general we also need volunteers to get our racers down the mountain! If you’re interested in volunteering please reach out to uppervalleyrunningclub@gmail.com or signup with this link
• As you saw above, we have LOTS of local races coming up! Races like the Shamrock Shuffle, Skip’s Run, and the Red, White, and Blue 6.2 are put on by the amazing folks at Leb Rec and they could always use extra hands to continue making these races run! If you’re interested in volunteering for any of the Leb Rec races please reach out to Paul Coats <paul.coats@lebanonnh.gov>
• The Covered Bridges Half Marathon is on the horizon! Didn’t get in through registration but are itching to take part in one of the most beautiful and sought after races in New England? Well good news! The UVRC is looking for pacers for the race! As a pacer you run the race at a fixed pace to achieve a set goal time and serve as a beacon to your fellow runners who are trying to meet or beat that goal time. I speak from experience when I say it is one of the most rewarding activities I have participated in (apart from being your President) as nothing compares to the joy of helping other people achieve the goals they’ve worked so hard for! We’ll start assembling pacers more earnestly in Apr-May but reach out early especially if you need to start doing your training!! As with the others please reach out to uppervalleyrunningclub@gmail.com

News and Announcements March 2024

Racing Updates

2024 Overview

Both the UVRS and the NHGP racing series are underway! Our next race is the Shamrock Shuffle on March 16th! In this house we support local so to help you gear up your 2024 racing calendar (as well as ours) here are some of our awesome local races that are coming your way in 2024! Our friends and neighbors the CVR are currently winning the “most races” which means there’s plenty of opportunities to get your race on! 

Upcoming Races in at least one of the series

Upper Valley Running Series/New Hampshire Grand Prix/Central Vermont Racing Series/Western New Hampshire Trail Series

☘️ Shamrock Shuffle, 5k, 16 Mar 2024

🧊 Lake Morey Icebreaker, 5M, 14 Apr 2024

🥣 Nashua Soup Kitchen, 10k, 7 Apr 2024

🍁 Kaynor's Sap Run, 10k, 7 Apr 2024

💌 Paul Mailman 10 Mile and 5k, 5k & 10M, 13 Apr 2024

🐕 Mutt Strut, 3M, 21 April 2024

Adamant Half Marathon, 13.1M, 11 May

🛀 Dirty 5k, 5k, 12 May 2024

Barre Town Spring Run, 18 May

🎨 Barnarts Race Around the Lake 5k/10k, 19 May 2024

🌆 Capital City Stampede, 10k, 8 Jun

6️⃣ Six in the Stix, 3M/6M, 15 Jun 2024

⏭ Skip's Run, 4M, 16 Jun 2024

7️⃣ Shaker Seven, 7M, 23 Jun 2024

🇺🇸 Red, White, and Blue 6.2, 5k/10k, 4 Jul

🌀 Hurricane Hill, 5k & 10k, 20 Jul 2024

🪖Run for Freedom, 5k, 4 Jul 2024

🐻 Bear Swamp, 5.7M, 13 Jul

🌳 Frenzy in the Forest, 4.5M, 27 Jul 2024

🙌 STOAKED, 12k, 3 Aug 2024

Berlin Pond, 5M, 15 Aug 2024

💀 All Out Trail Run, 4.6M, 17 Aug 2024

🦫 Triple Dam 10k, 10k, 25 Aug 2024

Barre Heritage Festival, 5k, 27 Jul

🧭 Northfield 5k Run/Walk, 5k, 31 Aug

🌱 The Sprouty, 5k/10k, 7 Sep 2024

Lilyan Wright Trail Fun Run, 3M & 5.7M, 14 Sep

🌲 Groton Forest Trail Run, 10k & 15k, 14 Sep

🛶 Sodom Pond 4 Mile, 4M, 18 Sep

5️⃣ Farnum Five, 5M, 28 Sep 2024

🎖 Footrace for the Fallen, 5k, 29 Sep 2024

👀 Leaf Peepers Half Marathon and 5k, 5k/13.1M, 6 Oct 2024

DD New England Half Marathon, 13.1M, 20 Oct 2024

🐅 Tiger Run, 5k & 12k, 27 Oct 2024

🦃 Hanover Turkey Trot, 5k & 10k, 24 Nov

🍂 Fallen Leaves 5k, 5k, 2,9,16 Nov 2024

🥳 New Year's Eve 5k, 5k, 31 Dec 2024

 
Other Local Racing Opportunities

Also in this newsletter are several racing opportunities with some new and returning racing opportunities! Check out the Franklin VNA and Hospice 5K and consider joining as a runner for “Food 4 Farmers” in the Vermont city Marathon, and the Family Place is offering a chance to join their team for the Covered Bridge Half Marathon! Opportunities and races abound!

2024 Covered Bridges Half Marathon: The race sold out in minutes! Did you miss your chance to sign up? Run with The Family Place, and you WILL BE guaranteed a spot for Sunday, June 2, 2024!

Each runner commits to raising $500 in support of The Family Place, now in our 38th year of supporting families in our region.

Who we are: The Family Place delivers comprehensive programs designed to strengthen positive relationships, teach essential skills and promote enduring healthy growth for families with young children in the Upper Valley and surrounding communities.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.familyplacevt.org/covered-bridges-half-marathon-2024/

The Family Place will pay each runner’s $95 registration fee.

Runner Benefits:

• Personal fundraising webpage and fundraising coaching and guidance
• A gathering tent with food and water at the race’s start and finish
• Transportation of personal items at the race’s start and finish
• Regular encouragement and support before the race
• Team T-shirt from The Family Place (optional)
• Swag bag of surprise goodies!

Contact CBHMteam@the-family-place.org with any questions.

Hello UVRC,

My name is Ryan Howe, and I am the Director of Fundraising here at Franklin VNA and Hospice.  I wanted to make you aware of our upcoming 5k Run/Walk on April 27, 2024, at 9am, held at the Paul Smith School at 41 Daniel Webster Dr. in Franklin.  Fee for the race is only $35.00.  I attached a link below to sign up if you or you know of anyone who would like to attend.  There is also an opportunity to start a team under the fundraiser section.  We hope that you will consider us, and please feel free to send to anyone who you think might be interested.  

https://runsignup.com/Race/NH/Franklin/FranklinVNAandHospice5kRunWalk

Thank you so much, and I hope all is well.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Ryan

Hello UVRC,

My name is April Duncan, and I'm the Operations Manager for Food 4 Farmers, a local nonprofit based in Burlington, Vermont. Every year the Food 4 Farmers relay team runs in the Vermont City Marathon in support of coffee farming communities. This year we are starting a new initiative by reaching out to running clubs with coffee-loving members to see if they would put together relay teams (or run solo) for Food 4 Farmers in the Vermont City Marathon in order to have a greater impact. Are you and your friends interested in running a relay to help support farmers? If so, please email me at april@food4farmers.org for further information, and thank you very much for your help!

Millions of rural small-scale farmers who depend on commodity crops like coffee, which does not deliver enough income to support their families, struggle to put food on their tables every year. Headquartered in Burlington, VT, Food 4 Farmers was founded in 2011 to combat the “thin months” of food insecurity in the coffeelands. Volatile market prices for coffee, the rising costs of farming sustainably, and the impacts of climate change are some of the major challenges they face. We believe that every family should have access to nutritious food every day. That’s why we partner with coffee farming families to build thriving local food hubs, diversify family income, and promote sustainable farming practices that strengthen biodiversity and ecosystem resiliency throughout Latin America.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Food 4 Farmers and our Vermont City Marathon initiative. We look forward to hearing from you!

Best Wishes,

April

The 2024 UVRS got off to a great start on Saturday, February 10, with the Red Zone 5K in Wilder VT. I’ve done this race for years: the temperature in the 50s, and sunny? Unheard of! It was great to see so many UVRC friends at the event.

The next race in the series is the Upper Valley classic: The Lebanon Shamrock Shuffle 5K on Saturday March 16. Come join hundreds of your closest runner friends as we wind through the streets of Lebanon, and be sure to stay for the post-race party! Look for us all at the UVRC tent.

So, what is this UVRS that you’re hearing so much about? It’s our club’s series of local road races. Full information: http://bit.ly/uvrs2024
“But I missed the first race!” No problem, you only need to run 7 of the 11 (10 remaining) races to get the sweet finisher prize. Even if you don’t make it to 7, you can still come out and have a great time!
“Sounds fun, how do I participate?” As long as you are an up-to-date UVRC member, all you have to do is show up and run!

“Can I sign up for the whole series? And maybe get an awesome discount?” Yes! See the UVRS page http://bit.ly/uvrs2024 for registration links with a 25% discount. Note: Registration is open for the remaining 10 races, with the price adjusted accordingly.

“I’m not sure, can I just sign up for each race one at a time?” Yes! Just sign up for each race through the normal race registration (even day-of is OK). As long as you are a UVRC member you are part of the series.

“Sounds great, Geoff and the rest of the amazing UVRS committee, I’ll see you out there.” Looking forward to it, Mr. Strawman!

I moved to Lebanon, New Hampshire from western North Carolina in 2020 with my husband and three young children- ages 4, 5, and 7 now. I’ve been running trails for years, but I had no clue about the ruggedness of the White Mountains. I thought I had run rocks and roots before, but nothing compares to the rocks and roots of the Granite State. These trails are gnarly and steep compared to even the toughest of North Carolina trails! My first peak was Moosilauke in August 2022 as it is the closest BIG mountain to Lebanon. At the time, I did not realize it was part of a “bigger thing”- the 48 4000 footers of the White Mountains. A few months later, I asked Cara Baskin if I could join her on one of her “hike”/runs. We did Owl’s Head which is a lackluster peak with just a pile of rocks at the summit, but this is when I truly learned about this “bigger thing.” Cara was in the middle of her Grid completing all 48 4000 footers in each month, and I was happy to tag along with whatever hikes she had planned as I was mostly looking for miles, vert, fitness, and friendship.  

As Cara was nearing the last few months of her Grid in the fall and winter of 2023/2024, I also decided it was time to get serious about finishing my 48 instead of simply repeating peaks and tagging along with Cara. I started to put weekly “4k peak” on my shared Google calendar with my husband making my intentions public and known. This is when the real joy began as I set out to complete a bigger project just for myself. With this newfound joy, the Kinsmans are my favorite peaks as they were the start of the final project and a new sense of purpose! In October, I got autumn yellows and reds at the Mount Kinsman trailhead, bright green moss and the stickiest rocks on the way up, and early season snow laden pines at the top. What a treat of mixed conditions! I also appreciate the not so sketchy peaks (all my favorite peaks are also the milder trails, or “boring” or “worst” according to some). I never felt nervous about my safety on the Kinsmans Trail, and I felt truly empowered as I set out on my mission to complete the 48.  

My final peaks were Wildcat D and ultimately Wildcat A. Cara and I had set out on Presidents’ Day (Monday) to get the Carters and Wildcats, but we unexpectedly broke trail after summiting Mount Hight. It was cold and we were without snowshoes. We made it to the Carter Notch Hut, and as we started up to Wildcat A, there was ZERO evidence of anyone being on the trail over the weekend although according to Strava accounts, at least 6 people had completed the entire Wildcat traverse from Nineteen Mile Brook the day prior! Snowdrifts are real! Getting to the Wildcats would've required knee to waist deep postholing for nearly a mile with over 1000 feet of climbing under the setting sun. So we turned back and went down Nineteen Mile Brook trail returning to the car bailing on the Wildcats. We returned early on the following Saturday to get the Wildcats via the ski slopes. We brought large packs full of gear including snowshoes, gaiters, and all the layers just to find perfectly packed trails only requiring microspikes the entire traverse from Wildcat D to Wildcat A and then down to Nineteen Mile Brook.  

So what’s next? I joke about a lifetime grid. Or most likely starting the 48 with my kids. My oldest just finished his first peaks, Pierce and Jackson, last month, and what a new level of mom proud! To see his face at the top of Pierce as he took in the views of the Presi Range, wow! Or perhaps even a Direttissima. No matter my future goals, I’m in love with the Whites!