Slate Valley Scramble

Join Slate Valley Trails (SVT) on August 9, 2025 for the 6th annual Slate Valley Scramble trail run race and fundraiser! Trail runners can choose from an 8k and half marathon, which will be entirely on singletrack and double-track trails! Kids 12 years and younger can join us for the Kid's Fun Run, which will be a short (<0.5 mile) trail run near the start/finish area. 

Races will offer runners a well-maintained, variable terrain, wooded course consisting of primarily single-track trail. While both courses will have some flat terrain and rolling hills, there will be hills and a few sustained climbs. Runners will be rewarded with occasional stunning views of Vermont’s "Slate Valley".

This race is cup-free! Runners will need to bring a water bottle to refill at the cup-free aid stations set up along the course.

Join us for what is sure to be a fun day in the Vermont woods!

THE DETAILS

-Half Marathon starts at 8:30 AM

-8k starts at 9:30 AM

-Kid’s Fun Run will start at ~11:15 AM

-Award’s Ceremony will following the Kid’s Fun Run; ~11:30 AM

The event is open to runners and hikers. Both courses will close at 1PM. For the half marathon, there will also be a time cut-off at the 9 mile aid station. Runners who do not reach the aid station by 11:30 will not be permitted to continue the race and will be directed to the finish line. 

The Kid's Fun Run will start and finish in the same area as the adult races. All participants will receive a participant prize at the finish line. The Kid's Fun Run will be open to kids 12 years and younger. Parents may accompany their children during the race.

Racers will be given a finisher award when they cross the finish line!

Top three finishers in the open and female categories in both races will receive awards.

Post-race festivities will include an award ceremony, post race snacks, and a raffle!

REGISTER BY 7/18/25. Beginning 7/19/25, registration costs will increase by $15. Online registration closes on 8/6/25 at 5p. 

**Day of registration for both races will only be available from 7-8 am on race morning.**

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are integral to the success of any event. For those who wish to donate 2-4 hours of their time toward the Scramble, we encourage you to register as a volunteer. Volunteers who register via RunReg will receive a free event t-shirt!

THE COURSE

The half marathon will start at the Fairgrounds parking lot and cross VT Rt. 140 by way of Maple Sugar. Racers will head out for an approximate 9 mile loop on the Fairgrounds West trail system covering Cotton Candy, Big Top, and Carnie before joining up with Ringmaster to head back to Fairgrounds East by crossing back over VT Rt. 140. The half marathon course will then join the 8KM course for an approximate 4.5 mile loop on the Fairgrounds East trail system including Bumper Cars, Midway, the upper portion of Cliffhanger, and part of Merry-Go-Round. Both courses will return to the Start/Finish area by way of Maple Sugar for a total elevation gain of ~1500 ft.

The 8KM course starts at the Fairgrounds Trailhead parking lot and heads up the road before bearing left onto Midway. Racers will run a short 0.1 miles before turning onto the lower portion of Cliffhanger and then the left onto Merry-Go-Round through the woods, into the field, to the intersection of Maple Sugar/Midway/Bumper Cars. The 8KM course will then meet up with the half martahon course to the finish. Total elevation gain of the 8KM course is ~700 ft, with the majority of the climbing between 2 and 3 miles. 

* To learn about SVT Fairgrounds trail network (official maps), CLICK HERE.
*Our trails can also be found on TrailFinder.Info  and Trail Forks.

AID STATIONS

Half marathon racers will have an opportunity to refuel 3 times during the race. An aid station will be located at approximately 6.5 miles into the race. A second aid station will be passed twice, once at ~9 miles and again at ~10.1 miles. Aid stations will have water and an electrolyte drink available. Fruit and other light snacks will be available at both aid stations. Racers are expected to carry their own bottles to refill as limited cups will be available in an effort to minimize waste. No fueling gels, chews, or bars will be available at either aid stations - racers should carry their own if needed. The 8K race will pass an aid station twice - once at ~1 mile into the race and again at ~2.1 miles. 

Refund Policy

When you register you understand that: The SVT Board of Directors reserves the right to cancel the event at any time, with NO RACER REFUND, due to any adverse events (ie. this may include, but is not limited to extreme weather, a community tragedy, etc.)

We are a small, non-profit and do not have the administrative capacity to offer refunds.  If you are unable to attend, please consider your registration fee a donation to an amazing trail system who offers over 60 miles of FREE trails to the public.  We truly appreciate your support and it's because of our donors and volunteers that we are able to hold events like the Scramble!  

About Slate Valley Trails
Slate Valley Trails, Inc. is a volunteer community group founded in 2015. We are a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Proceeds from the Slate Valley Scramble trail run will go towards growing and maintaining the SVT trail system.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SVT.