RIPTON — The Ripton Ridge Run celebrates its 27th year on Sunday, Oct. 12. The Ridge Run, a fundraiser for the Friends of the Ripton School, features a 5K run, a 10.4K loop run and a noncompetitive 5K fun-walk. All races start and end at the Ripton Elementary School where there will be lunch, a raffle and awards.
The Ridge Run was started in 1988 by a small but dedicated group, among them Jane Phinney, a parent who later became a Ripton teacher and principal. Recently, Phinney looked back to the impetus for that first race. “Building a new school in Ripton 27 years ago was a big step for the town. A group of parents got together and decided that a foot race would be a good way to raise money to help with the cost of desks and tables etc. Over the years the Ripton Ridge Run has become a community event that brings the whole town together to continue to raise money for the school. It is also a way to bring people from all over New England to our beautiful town at a beautiful time of year.”
Every year, runners and walkers of all ages and abilities participate. The courses, which include water stops, traverse Ripton’s scenic rural roads. The registration fee includes a great lunch, a long-sleeved T-shirt, prizes, awards and a raffle. Registration fees for adults, seniors (65-plus) and children (15 and under), postmarked by Oct. 6, are $25, $15 and $15, respectively; fees after Oct. 6 are $35, $25 and $20, respectively.
Racers who opt not to get a T-shirt may subtract $5 from the appropriate fee. Lunch may be limited to the first 200 registrants. 
There are three ways to register for the race. Until Oct. 6, racers can register online through RunVermont at www.runvermont.org (look for “Other upcoming events and races”). Mail-in entry forms may be downloaded from www.riptonridgerun.org. There will also be registration at the school on the day of the race. All participants should check in at the school from 11 a.m.-noon; the races begin at 12:30 p.m. The Ripton Elementary School is on the Ripton-Lincoln Road, less than a mile from the Ripton Country Store.
For more information, call the Ripton Elementary School at 802-388-2208 during school hours or email [email protected].