Vermont Sun Half Marathon.
The Vermont Sun Half Marathon in May is an out-and-back from Branbury State Park on Lake Dunmore via VT 53, Fern Lake Road and the dirt of Hooker Road to a turnaround on Rogers Road. Just over four of its 13.1 miles are unpaved, and five short hills sit on the way out and again on the way back.
Vermont Sun Half Marathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
From the park you run a good five kilometres south on barely travelled VT 53 along the east shore of Lake Dunmore until, at about 3.3 miles, the road forks right onto Fernville Road, which merges into Fern Lake Road. Around mile four you turn right onto Hooker Road, which the organiser says is dirt until mile six. It becomes Rogers Road, and the turnaround lies a little over half a mile further on.
The way back retraces the course exactly. The organiser describes five short hills averaging about 12 metres each on the way out, which you meet again in reverse on the way home. The punchiest ramps are on Hooker Road and Rogers Road around the turnaround.
Most of the course runs through the forest at the foot of the Green Mountains and is well shaded. Aid stations with water and an electrolyte drink stand every 1.5 miles, and volunteers mark every turn of the well-signed course. Start and finish are in Branbury State Park, where the lakeside beach invites you to stay after the race.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 9 | 0.3 km | 3.5 % | 5.8 % | +11 m | — |
| km 9.6 | 0.5 km | 3.5 % | 9 % | +16 m | — |
| km 10.6 | 0.4 km | 4.6 % | 6.9 % | +17 m | — |
| km 13 | 0.6 km | 3.2 % | 5.4 % | +18 m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Vermont Sun Half Marathon.
Start under control
The first five kilometres on paved VT 53 are the fastest of the course, and that is exactly where the temptation to spend too much too early lies. Run them at your planned half-marathon pace and keep something for the middle.
Hold your rhythm
The race-deciding section is kilometres eight to fourteen on Hooker Road and Rogers Road: unpaved footing and the shortest, steepest ramps around the turnaround. Run them by feel rather than by the watch, with short steps uphill, and take no risks downhill on loose gravel.
Spend what is left
Once you are back on the asphalt of Fern Lake Road you can build steadily over the last seven kilometres. The final descent into the park rewards anyone who has not overspent by then.
Training plan for Vermont Sun Half Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
Most recreational runners finish the half in between 1:40 and 2:30, and the organiser sets a three-hour time limit. The effort is mostly aerobic, with many short changes of pace on the hills.
Train race pace
The race-deciding phase is the gravel section around the turnaround. Run regularly on farm tracks and forest roads in training so your ankles and stride are used to uneven ground, and add short hill repeats of 30 to 60 seconds.
Rehearse the course
An early-May date means the build-up falls through a New England winter and spring. Plan long runs in cool weather too, and some sessions on soft and possibly still damp ground.
Arrive fresh
The priorities are long runs of up to about 18 km on rolling terrain, tempo runs on asphalt for the quick opening and closing kilometres, and strength work for calves and ankles.
Courses
Download the Vermont Sun Half Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Vermont Sun Half Marathon dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Vermont Sun Half Marathon.
How long is Vermont Sun Half Marathon?
Vermont Sun Half Marathon is 21.1 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Vermont Sun Half Marathon have?
Vermont Sun Half Marathon has around 220 m of elevation gain over 21.1 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Vermont Sun Half Marathon?
Vermont Sun Half Marathon is classified as Rolling, averaging 10.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 32% of the route is flat, 34% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Vermont Sun Half Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Vermont Sun Half Marathon starts at kilometre 13, runs for 0.6 km at an average of 3.2% and gains 18 metres. 4 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Vermont Sun Half Marathon a loop course?
Yes, Vermont Sun Half Marathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Vermont Sun Half Marathon course?
Yes. The Vermont Sun Half Marathon course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Vermont Sun Half Marathon?
Preparation for Vermont Sun Half Marathon should account for 21.1 km, 220 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Vermont Sun Half Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Vermont Sun Half Marathon should reflect 21.1 km, 220 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Vermont Sun Half Marathon take place?
Vermont Sun Half Marathon takes place on May 9, 2027.
Where does Vermont Sun Half Marathon take place?
Vermont Sun Half Marathon takes place in Salisbury, United States.
Which distances does Vermont Sun Half Marathon offer?
Vermont Sun Half Marathon offers 3 distances — Vermont Sun Half Marathon: 21.1 km; Vermont Sun 10K: 10 km; Vermont Sun 5K: 5 km.
How do I register for Vermont Sun Half Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: vermontsuntriathlonseries.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
