Marathon FAQ

PARTICIPANTS' QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Over the years we have received a lot of very helpful feed back from our marathon participants. Some comments are useful to us in prioritizing improvements to the event. Other comments reveal that we need to better communicate why some aspects of the event are the way they are.

What is the course like?
The course is groomed as wide as possible and where the hills are not too steep the tracks stay in tact. Where the hills are steep the tracks get snowplowed out and icy no matter how much snow there is and becomes challenging to later skiers.

What level of skiing ability is suggested for marathon participants?
We suggest that you be a strong skier with at least an advanced intermediate level of technical ability.

Are you going to change or improve the course?
Every year we try to improve the course. We have improved the most difficult downhill turns and signage. We probably will not make any changes to parts which ski well now. Bridges have received a lot of attention this year.

Why don't you make the entire course as easy to ski as the second half of the 50-kilometer race which is on the Craftsbury Outdoor Center trails?
For the first twenty-year history of this race we ran two laps on the Center trails. Skiing conditions are very good there but the course is relatively boring. We never got more than one hundred and fifty skiers. When we went to a point-to-point course with a greater variety of terrain, challenging climbs and descents, and awesome views, we have had one thousand participants sign up and had to turn away many more. Of course we would prefer to eliminate icy downhills but we have limited options working with the many private landowners.

Is the course scenic?
Sweeping vistas from the high points of the course encompass the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the East and the Green Mountains of Vermont to the West. The feedback we have received over the years leads us to believe that it is considered one of the most scenic ski trails in the East. Here are a couple of quotes from participants this year: "The neatest course I have ever done in any sport." And "If you took the time to look, the scenery was excellent."

Why don't you avoid the snowmobile trail sections for the racecourse?
Unfortunately, in some places like Craftsbury Village, we have to share a trail with the snomobilers because of more limited options in developed areas. We have close to ninety different landowners and each one has his or her own requirements as to how the trails on their land are aligned. We try to keep the trails apart wherever possible.

Do you provide shuttle service for people who do not want to ski the entire 25 or 50-kilometer course?
No. We are not equipped to do this. You should only sign up if you are reasonably sure you will be able to complete the full distance. We only provide transportation for skiers in emergency situations.

What do you suggest an intermediate level touring skier do to prepare for this event?
You should practice skiing a hilly 25 km course at least once at a pace fast enough to make all the cut-offs (5 kilometers per hour or 3 miles per hour) before attempting the Craftsbury event. If you think you may have trouble making the cut-off times be sure to start as early as possible within your start window.

Why do you have cut-off times?
We have one hundred and seventy volunteers working hard to make this event possible. We cannot ask them to stand out in the cold indefinitely. Further, it is irresponsible to allow people to continue skiing when we know that at the pace they are traveling they will not be able to finish the course at an acceptable hour. With a thousand skiers spread over 50 kilometers of trail it is essential that all have finished and been accounted for with daylight to spare. Skiers who do not make a cut-off in time will be asked to leave the course by a marshal. The marshal will radio for a van to pick you up and give you a ride back to the finish if necessary.

What if I choose to keep skiing even after I have not made a cut-off?
We will not be responsible for tracking your progress or maintaining the course once you are late for a cut-off. We will mark your bib "DNF" did not finish at the first cutoff you miss. Our sweeper will be skiing behind the last skier to go through each cut-off station in a timely manner. You will not have the safety of having a sweeper behind you. Our trail groomers will be picking up signage behind the sweeper so you will not have a marked course to ski on. Our course marshals, first aid, food station, and road crossing guards will be relieved of their stations.

If I am signed up for the 50-kilometer race and am too tired to complete the distance, can I switch to the 25 kilometer mid-race?
No. But you don't have to ski the 50 either. You should do three things: Permit the checker to mark your bib with a "DNF", did not finish. Continue skiing to the 25-kilometer finish area but do not cross the finish line. Tell the finish timers that you are a "DNF". If you want to know your time for 25 kilometers, check the finish clock and subtract your start time. You will be listed in the results as "DNF".

Why can't I switch from the 50 km to the 25 km mid-race?
Because we don't know you switched and so your time crossing the finish line will be half what it should be for the long race. You will be listed as winning the 50 km race and throw the entire results into chaos which, like Rosie Ruiz in the Boston Marathon, will be very embarrassing for you and for the race organizer.

Why was I listed on the posted results as "DNF" (did not finish) right after I finished?
It takes a while to enter and check results before they are posted and printed. In the mean time they are listed as DNF.

What is the energy drink served at the Craftsbury Marathon racer table?
This year it was "H.E.E.D." or high-energy electrolyte drink by Hammer Nutrition. It contains complex carbohydrates, a complete electrolyte profile and supplemental nutrients. Gatorade due to its high marketing profile is often mistakenly referred to as the official "energy drink" of a race. Unlike Gatorade though, H.E.E.D. does not have artificial flavors, colors, simple sugars or stimulants which may have unwanted side effects.

How can I quickly get what I want at a feed station?
If you are in a hurry, call out "water" or "energy drink" as you come in to the station. Someone will hand you a cup. Ask for another if you want. Take the time to get it all down. You will need it later. Keep moving forward as you drink it. Don't stop in front of the food table while you eat or drink because you will be blocking other skiers.

Why don't tourers have an awards ceremony like the racers?
Tourers get a medallion at the finish line in recognition of their completion of the twenty-five kilometer marathon course. Since time and place relative to other skiers are not recorded for the touring class and it takes several hours from the time the first racer finishes to the time the last racer finishes, we do not encourage tourers to wait around for results in a crowded gym after the race. If you have enjoyed touring the course in past years and would like to see how you compare relative to other skiers we suggest you sign up for the race next year. We recognize racers in five-year age/gender classes for both the 25 and 50-kilometer races who finish with a time within 25% of the fastest skier in their class. As an additional incentive to enter the race division of the marathon, all racers are entered in a raffle for merchandise prizes donated by our sponsors. The Craftsbury.com web site lists all the finishers of the tour and the race.

Why don't you give t-shirts to all finishers?
To give t-shirts to all finishers we would have to raise the entry fee. It is our experience that a good proportion of race participants do not care for a t-shirt. Giving t-shirts to all participants is wasteful and expensive. The Craftsbury Marathon allows participants to preorder shirts. Only those who want one are charged. Since you are paying the entire cost of the t-shirt there are no sponsor logos defacing the shirt's graphics.

What is the protocol for passing another skier in a mass start marathon?
In general you may ask for the track and the skier you are passing should step out of the track and permit you to pass. In a large marathon with a mass start it is pointless to call for the track until the pack has thinned out somewhat. If you are really interested in getting ahead at that point you will have to pass by getting out of the track and skiing between other skiers. Be careful doing this because it is very easy to trip or break a pole. You are not permitted to ask for the track in the last 200 meters of a race. You have to go around. In practice, in a citizen marathon, if there are multiple tracks it is often easier to just step into another track and go around the skier ahead of you.