Mad River Ultra Running Camp | Coach Fitzgerald

Mad River Valley Trail Running Camp

The Mad River Valley Trail Running Camp is for anyone passionate about running and wanting to improve in trail running. Whether you are new to trail running or have multiple 50ks and 100’s under your belt, you will walk away (or run) from camp with an unforgettable experience.

The Mad River Valley is rich with outdoor opportunities including endless singletrack and dirt roads. Home cooked and farm to table meals, post run soaks, guided trail runs, guest speakers, massage therapy, Craft Sportswear shoe demos and the Catamount Ultra Marathon (25k or 50k).

The camp is open to anyone, but we do advise that you arrive to camp in good shape and able to be outside moving for over 3 hours. Coach Fitzgerald and local guide will lead each run and transportation for the camp is covered. You show up and we take care of everything else!

Our goal is that you leave camp with new connections with people from around the world, having honed your skills and confidence in your capability.

ITINERARY

Wednesday June 21: Arrive late morning to the Mad River Valley house. Unpack, settle in, and head out for an easy run to shake the legs out. Craft Sportswear will be at the house for shoe demos and apparel testing. Take a pair of the new Craft trail shoes for a test ride! For welcome dinner that evening, guest speaker Tim Van Orden will join us for a talk about "A compassionate approach to endurance training".
Run stats: ~1-2 hrs (1,200ft gain) dirt roads

Thursday June 22: Wake up to coffee and breakfast at your leisure. Today's run will explore a section of the Long Trail (LT), the oldest footpath in the lower 48. We will start the run from Lincoln Gap Road outside Warren, VT, ending at Highway 17. Long climb to start the day with great views on the ridge. The LT is rugged with lots of roots, mud and rocks. Poles are recommended for this run. We will stop for sandwiches at the Bingham household or The Warren Store for a post run refuel. Options for a swim at Warren Falls before heading back to the house.

GPX file

Long Trail - Lincoln Gap Rd to Highway 17

Friday June 23: Wake up to coffee and breakfast at your leisure. Today's run has options to combine loops on spectacular rolling, dirt roads and singletrack trails at Blueberry Lake. Snacks and trail nutrition provided. Bring a book, go swimming or just relax with a picnic lunch on the shore of Blueberry Lake! Back at the house for anyone interested in signing up, Beth Libby will provide massage. Coach Fitzgerald will speak about race day nutrition and pacing before dinner. Momma Fitzgerald will prepare another fabulous dinner with plenty of dessert and drinks.

Saturday June 24: Catamount Ultra 25k or 50k . Wake up to fresh coffee and a race day breakfast. Today we run the Catamount Ultra Marathon (registration required, if running). The race ends at the Trapp Family Lodge where you can rest, stretch, decompress and enjoy a meal, awards, and prizes! We will finish the day with a BIG dinner with awards for camp participants. Run stats: 25k / 50k on Catamount Ultra race course (2,500/5,000ft gain).

Sunday June 25: Today is the final day :( Take today to enjoy a sunrise stroll along the trails out back or hike up to Burnt Rock or to Boyce Hill or recover on the singletrack at Blueberry Lake. Enjoy a nice lunch on the deck before packing and departure. Distance: Recovery (~45min.)

Catamount Ultra Packet pickup

Coach Fitzgerald greeting runners at the Inaugural Tahoe Ultra Camp. Photo: Myke Hermsmeyer

Big timber frame home with plenty of room to roam

Post run river soaks!

Frequently Asked Questions

Dates: Wednesday June 21th - Sunday 25th

Cost: $1350 per person

$500 deposit to hold your spot

*balance due May 1st

What does the cost include?

Transportation to and from trailheads and the Burlington Airport *(Flight must arrive by 11 AM on Wednesday June 21st and depart no later than 1:30 pm on Sunday, June 25th)
4 nights in a private house in the Mad River Valley
Experienced run guides
Run clinics by camp director and coach John Fitzgerald
All meals (Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snacks, run nutrition)
Yoga, core and stretching before/after runs
2 weeks free coaching
Craft Sportswear shoe and apparel demos + giveaways
Nutrition giveaways
Coach Fitz Owl T-shirt

What doesn't the cost include?

Flight
Alcohol
Personal purchases
Transportation besides that described above

What is the group size?

The camp is first come first serve. The house will sleep a max of 8 people.

How will I get to and from camp? Do I need a vehicle?

All participants arriving by plane must fly into Burlington International Airport (BTV) NO later than 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday June 21st and depart NO earlier than 1:30 p.m. on Sunday June 25th. If arriving early, you are responsible for your own shuttle and lodging.

What kind of terrain should I expect?

Expect a mix of dirt roads and technical single track trails. Vermont is a very hilly state! Also, expect the trails to be muddy. Vermont has a nickname for Long Trail through hiker - VERmud :)

What will we do when we aren't running?

Mad River Valley is full of activities besides trail running. We will check out the local towns of Warren and Fayston, spend time soaking in nearby rivers and ponds. Farm Stands and maybe a trip to a famous ice cream house (Ben and Jerrys in Stowe, VT)

How far will we run?

The distance and time will vary each day but you should be comfortable with daily running or hiking. Each run will be between 2 & 5 hours, about 2,000 ft elevation gain/loss with a mix of hiking and running. Vehicle support will be at all runs and you can always swing back to the van for some fuel and a break. If you feel like taking a day off during camp that is totally fine.

Do I need trail running experience?

Experience trail running and spending time on your feet in the mountains is helpful but its not required. The terrain will be technical and muddy in sections so take your time. No one will be left behind.

What is the place we are staying like?

We will be staying in a private home close to Warren, VT, with open living space for everyone to gather, open kitchen and a combination of bunk rooms and queen rooms. The earlier you register, the more likely you are to have a private room. There will be a combination of bunk rooms and queen rooms. Please contact John at fitzendurance@gmail.com for special accommodations and requests.

What is the food like?

All meals will be prepared by an in-house chef (Momma Fitz). The food is healthy, yet satisfies any cravings from a hard day of training. We will source locally as much as we can.Wake up to fresh brewed coffee and fruit. Pancakes, eggs made to order and cereal will always be an option to get your day started. Lunch will be served back at the house or at the trailhead picnic style, a mix of sandwiches, fresh fruit, salad and chips (yum). Dinner will be a mix of steamed or grilled vegetables, a large salad, pastas, burgers, pizza and mexican. We will try and eat out at one of the many fabulous restaurants in the valley. If you have dietary restriction please let us know.

What should I pack?

I think we all love running because of the simplicity of the sport. You don't need much! You will receive a detailed packing list well before your departure.

What is included in the trip?

This is a fully supported trip from the time you land until you leave. This includes pre-trip communication, airport pick-up and drop-off, private house, breakfast, lunch, dinner and all snacks including sports nutrition, experienced run guides, guest speakers, organized runs and a camp T-shirt. You will receive 2 weeks free coaching with John Fitzgerald that can be used pre or post camp.

Can I cancel my trip?

We understand that things come up and participants might have to back out of a camp. Since we pay for our costs in advance our cancellation policy is no refund with in 40 days of the start of camp.

Questions? Contact Me.

Mad River Valley Trail Running Camp

QUESTIONS?

ITINERARY

Frequently Asked Questions

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