“ Our goal is to promote running as a lifelong activity,” says Anthea Dexter-Cooper, RunVermont’ s Executive Director.“ That means creating space not just for elite athletes or marathoners, but for everyone— from a fouryear-old lacing up for their first fun run to someone setting a personal best in their seventies.”
Founded in 1989 with just 414 marathoners and 125 relay teams, the Vermont City Marathon helped plant the seeds for what would become RunVermont— a full-fledged nonprofit producing races and programs yearround to support the physical, emotional, and social health of the state. Their commitment to accessibility and community shines through in every literal and figurative milestone they have marked along the way.
Marathon Weekend: A Festival of Movement and Meaning
The M & T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay is far more than a race— it’ s a community-wide celebration. For one transformative weekend each May, the City of Burlington becomes a hub of athleticism, fitness, joy, and togetherness.
“ It feels like the unofficial start of summer,” says Executive Director Anthea Dexter-Cooper.“ It’ s the kind of event that makes Burlington feel like a big city for a day. It’ s electrifying. It’ s unifying. And for thousands of people, it’ s incredibly meaningful.”
The weekend kicks off with the Sports & Fitness Expo, held at the Double- Tree by Hilton in South Burlington. There, over 20 vendors gather to offer products and services tailored to runners and fitness enthusiasts. Participants pick up race packets, get their bibs, meet fellow runners, explore booths on nutrition, gear, recovery, and attend live programming events on running held by RunVermont’ s partners. It’ s not just a stop for logistics— it’ s the social start to an unforgettable weekend.
Saturday brings the joy of youth to the forefront. Kids ages 4 – 14 take part in the Mini Marathon, Vermont City Two- Mile, and the hilariously unpredictable Mascot Dash.“ There’ s nothing better than watching a kid get their first race medal,” says Lauren Miller, Youth Director.“ The smiles are contagious. And when the mascots start sprinting down the finish chute, it’ s pure chaos in the best way.”
And then comes Sunday.
More than 5,000 runners take to the streets for the M & T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay— Vermont’ s largest single-day sporting event and the third-largest marathon in New England. The two-loop 13.1- mile course is designed with spectators in mind, threading through Burlington’ s most iconic landmarks: Church Street Marketplace, Battery Park, and the scenic Lake Champlain bike path, framed by views of the Adirondack and Green Mountains.
But it’ s the people— not just the course— that make it magic.
On-course entertainment includes returning favorites like the pounding Taiko drummers on Battery Street and live bands energizing runners in the New North End.“ Even with our course change from the cloverleaf to the double-loop format, these performers adapted and made new traditions in their new spots,” says Dexter-Cooper.“ That’ s the kind of dedication and spirit that makes this community so special.” The sense of camaraderie and cheer is built into the route, with four official cheer zones, as well as unofficial – but no less enthusiastic – neighborhood celebrations. A prime example is the Lakewood Estates block party, a multiple-time winner of the M & T Bank Community Spirit Award.
Accessibility is at the core of the experience. With relay options for teams of 2 to 5 runners, divisions for wheelchair and handcycle participants, and wide-ranging pacing accommodations, the event welcomes everyone— from highly-accomplished marathoners aiming to qualify for Boston to walkers doing their first 2.8-mile leg.
This approach is not just part of the M & T Bank Vermont City Marathon, but also RunVermont’ s other events.“ We’ ve had people push strollers, walk with canes, and come back to racing after recovering from long COVID,” says Dexter-Cooper.“ Every story on our courses matter.”
Behind the scenes, the success of the weekend is powered by a small but mighty team. RunVermont employs just four year-round staff members and three seasonal hires, supported by a 70-person volunteer race committee— some of whom are second-generation members. Hundreds of additional volunteers provide course support, medical care, water stops, traffic control, and more.
And then there are the sponsors, who do more than write checks.“ Our partners show up,” says Dexter-Cooper.“ Whether it’ s M & T Bank staffing an
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