MIDDLEBURY — The eighth edition of the Middlebury Maple Run – The Sweetest Half is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, with a starting time of 9 a.m. The Middlebury Maple Run is one of New England’s “must-do” races with an estimated 800 to 900 runners expected for this year’s race.
Every year race organizers add a few new features so that the race day experience is fresh and fun — keeping runners returning year after year. More than 600 runners have run the event two or more times during the event’s seven-year history. Some of the new and upgraded amenities being offered this year include:
· An easy-to-follow 14-week training program
· A pre-race pasta dinner the Saturday night before at Cornwall Elementary School. The dinner will benefit the school’s farm-to-school program, which will allow the school to purchase more local foods to serve in its cafeteria.
· A bottle of WhistlePig rye whiskey, provided by event sponsor WhistlePig Farms, to the oldest male and female finishers. In 2015 the oldest woman was 70; the oldest man was 77.
And back this year by popular demand:
· A post-race party meal featuring a pancake breakfast. The Rotary Club of Middlebury will be cooking and serving pancakes complemented by locally produced maple syrup.
· Live music along the route provided by Middlebury College student bands.
Support from the business community is essential to the event’s success. There are many expenses incurred prior to race day, such as professional services, logistics, equipment and marketing. IPJ Real Estate and Addison Advisors return this year as title co-sponsors. Support is also provided by Deppman & Foley, Omya, Addison County Chamber of Commerce, Cabot Cheese, Middlebury Fitness and WhistlePig Farms, as well as media sponsor Addison Independent.
The proceeds from the Middlebury Maple Run are donated via grants to Addison County-based nonprofits. In 2014 race organizers distributed $8,500 to eight deserving groups; in 2015 six groups received $4,800.
Local lodging properties, restaurants and merchants will reap benefits as well. Approximately 40 percent of the runners come from out of state — the majority from neighboring New England states and New York. Many runners will be traveling with family and friends resulting in more than 1,000 visitors in the area during race weekend. The Addison County Chamber of Commerce estimates the Middlebury Maple Run provides direct economic impact to the area of at least $100,000.
The Middlebury Maple Run was founded in 2009 by a group of local runners to raise funds for charity and to create an event that brings visitors to the Middlebury area during a time of year when there are fewer visitors. The Middlebury Maple Run organizing committee is made up of Terry Aldrich, Middlebury College; Benj Deppman, Deppman & Foley; Dave Donahue, Middlebury College; Sue Hoxie, race co-director, Addison County Chamber of Commerce; Angelo Lynn, Addison Independent; and Andrea Solomon, race co-director. The event website is www.middleburymaplerun.com.