When this loop was announced as the first complete section of the Velomont Trail, it became an immediate addition to the summer run list for this year. Training was a bit inconsistent going in but was able to put a solid month together and tune things up to the point where I felt like I could give it a go. I came in right around where I figured I'd be timewise, would be stoked to do this again next year with some more volume under my belt and see how much time I could take off. The loop is a mix of quiet back roads and singletrack sections with a number of water spots along the way, and from a technical standpoint is entirely runnable (although the 1000ft climb at the 50k mark may have your legs saying otherwise). Someone fast could really fly on this route and it will be exciting to see how things progress if it gains popularity.
Weather was great, saw a black bear about an hour into the run but otherwise had the trails to myself all day. Fueled with Maurten gels and Skratch mix carried in the vest from the start, filtered water at 3 or 4 spots along the way. Berms on the switchbacks were starting to fill in with fallen leaves which made the downhills a bit slower than they had been in my scouting runs but generally the trails are in great shape. Started and finished touching the large monument on the Rochester Village Green.
Big shout outs to the Vermont Huts Association and Velomont for putting this route together, and the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective for maintaining these awesome trails!