5th Annual
Green Mountain Athletic Association
Common to Common 30K

Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 8:30 a.m.

This scenic race is the only Vermont race distance between a half and full marathon and provides a great training course for both distances. It is also a great race for those who want to run long without hitting the "wall".
.
COURSE: Certified (VT04001RF) 30K (18.64 miles) through the scenic farm country between the historic Essex Center and Westford Commons. Start at Essex Center and head to Bowmans Corners via Towers and Chapin. Then head out Old Stage to Manley and then Maple Tree. Take Brookside to the Westford Common. Turn around at the common and come back to Bowmans Corners via Brookside, Phelps, and Woods Hollow. Retrace the first 4.5 miles down Chapin and Towers back to the Essex Center Common. See map below.
REGISTRATION: Pre-registration encouraged (see link below). Race day registration at the historic Memorial Hall on the common in Essex Center, Vermont. (7:30 - 8:15 a.m.) Bathrooms are available, but there are no showers. Please park at Memorial Hall, on the common, or at Essex Elementary School.
DIRECTIONS: Take route 15 or 128 to Essex Center. Memorial Hall is on the west side of the common at 5 Towers Road.
Rt 15 can be reached from:
I89 exit 16 (take rt 7 south, to rt 2A south, to rt 289 east, to rt 15 east),
I89 exit 15 (take rt 15 east), I89 exit 12 (take rt 2A north to rt 15 east), or
I89 exit 11 (take rt 117 west to rt 15 east [note if you are not easily lost and can follow mapquest directions, both Sandhill Rd or rt 289 can be taken from rt 117 as a shortcut]).

For those travelling from farther away, Burlington International Airport is served by most airlines, including JetBlue, and is located just 8 miles from Essex Center.
ENTRY FEE: Before 9/15: $11 After 9/15: $15 (GMAA members subtract $1)
AWARDS: Prizes to the first masters (40+) and open winners for men and women. Ribbons to the top two in ten year age groups. Awards ceremony is at 11:30a.m. All finishers receive 30K medallions!
LODGING: It is advised to make accommodations in advance since folliage season starts in mid-September. 
Small Inns and Bed & Breakfasts:

Willeys' Farm B&B     1-802-878-4666 Essex Junction  (3.5 miles away)
1804 Potter House B&B 1-802-899-1276 Jericho         (4.0 miles away)
Homeplace B&B         1-802-899-4694 Essex           (4.5 miles away)
Sinclair Inn          1-800-433-4658 Underhill Flats (6.5 miles away)
 
Larger Inns and hotels:

Inn at Essex          1-800-727-4295 Essex           (1.5 miles away)
Handy Suites          1-802-872-5200 Essex           (4.5 miles away)
Days Inn              1-800-336-1445 Colchester      (6.5 miles away)
INFORMATION: Steve and Cathy Eustis (802)878-4385 common2common@gmaa.net
History of the Common to Common 30K including past results and age group records
Common to Common 30K Hall of Fame - all the people who have finished or volunteered every year of the race
PHOTOS: As noted above, the Common to Common 30K is a very scenic marathon with farm, village, and mountain vistas. View these past photos to see the course terrain and past runners.
Past photos: 2005, 2006, 2007
Professional Photographer Skipix.com will photograph all runners during the race.
RUNNERS SHOULD EXPECT TO FINISH IN LESS THAN 3:45.
THE COURSE CLOSES AT 12:15P.M.

REFRESHMENTS FOR ALL AFTER THE RACE!

NOTE: GMAA/insurance rules prohibit running with a baby jogger, dog, or headphones during the race.

 
2008 MEDALLION DESIGN:


Link to all the 30K medallions which are all historic structures on or near the two commons!
 

COURSE MAP (TO SCALE):

 

COURSE FEATURES:
  • Certified 30K with all miles and 5K intervals marked
  • Start and finish at 485' elevation
  • Max elevation 785' (13.5 miles)
  • Min elevation 460' (10.4 miles)
  • Rolling topography with one large 270' hill between miles 12.5 and 13.5
  • 7 Water/Gatorade stops at miles 2.3, 4.6, 8.2, 10.4, 12.6, 14.2, and 16.4 (W on map)
  • First and last 1.4 miles paved (15%)
  • See Vermont's diverse farms - turkey, cow, horse, sheep, llama, and orchards; with small family farms containing even goats, chickens, and pigs!
  • Folliage season is usually under way, but not yet at peak

Print out the registration form and mail in to pre-register! 
Click here for the registration form

[GMAA Schedule    GMAA Home ]

Background compliments of Background City!