About the Vermont 50

vermont-50-mountain-bike-and-ultra-run-race

The Vermont 50 is an annual race held during the last weekend of September at beautiful Mount Ascutney located in West Windsor, Vermont.
Net proceeds go to Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. A wonderful place where youth and adults of all abilities gain a measure of self confidence and independence by participating in adaptive sports programs and activities year-round.

Since 1993 the Vermont 50 has been a destination for mountain bikers and ultra runners to enjoy a challenging and scenic Vermont landscape course that is like no other. There is something for everyone.

Donate to Vermont Adaptive

Directions to VT50/Ascutney Outdoors
Fundraise for Vermont Adaptive
Vermont 50 History
The Vermont 50 Mountain Bike or Ultra Run was founded in 1993 by Laura Farrell (left in blue jacket in the photo above).

She is also the Founder of Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports and The Vermont 100 Endurance Race

In 1993 Laura and a handful of runners started The Vermont 50 Mountain Bike or Ultra Run in West Windsor, Vermont.

While the VT50 was conceived as a qualifying race for the Vermont 100, there was local interest in a mountain bike race, so six (6) bikes started with the runners in the race’s first year.

After that, the mountain bike visionary, Lou Schmertz took the mountain bike portion in hand and was the driving force behind creating what we know and love today.

It was through his dedication to the sport of mountain biking and his belief that biking should be accessible to all that we have this amazing race. More than a few of us think of Lou every time we’re pedals up. Thanks, Lou.

Our race has grown from a small group of runners and mountain bikers to over 1300 Ultra Runners and

Mountain Bikers.

Thanks to the support of our generous local landowners, our race course is about the same since its inception.

Net proceeds from this race benefit Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports which was also founded by Laura.

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is a wonderful place where youth and adults with disabilities gain a measure of self confidence and independence by participating in adaptive sports programs and activities year-round.

There is something for everyone at the Vermont 50:
- 50 mile Mountain Bike Race
- 50 mile Ultra Run
- 50K Run
- 50mi 2-3 person Team Relay
- 60+ Mtn Bike Race
- Women’s Mtn Bike Relay Race
- and the Kids FREE Fun Rides and Runs on Saturday
Spots fill-up quickly so early registration is a must! There is no day-of registration.
Vermont Adaptive History
About Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports

1980’s
Vermont Adaptive, founded by Laura Farrell in 1987, started at Ascutney Mountain Resort as the Vermont Handicap Ski Foundation.

It was the first adaptive skiing program in Vermont that worked with people of all ages and abilities and promoted the beneficial aspects associated with sports and recreation.

During this same time, Laura and her running and equine friends and dedicated supporters of the organization established the VT 100 and the VT 50 races to help subsidize the organizational expenses.

In 1989 The Ski Foundation grew to include summer activities such as canoeing and rock climbing in Southern Vermont.

1990’s

By 1991 the adaptive skiing program expanded to Northern Vermont, beginning winter program operations at Sugarbush Resort.

By 1996, the organization offered full-time statewide programs and adopted the name Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports with the mission to provide year-round recreational opportunities to individuals with disabilities.

In 1998, Vermont Adaptive expanded its summer programming by collaborating with Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center to bring an Adaptive Water Sports program to the Champlain Valley.

Vermont Adaptive moved its southern programs and operational headquarters to Pico Mountain Resort in 1999, centralizing administration.

2000’s

In the spring of 2000, Vermont Adaptive played a large part in the development and creation of the first inclusive camp in Chittenden County. “Partners in Adventure” pairs able bodied and disabled campers ages 11-17 together for adventure and activities and is still a program partner today.

In 2002 Vermont Adaptive developed, trained and sponsored a disabled alpine ski team to participate in the Diana Golden Race Series held throughout the Northeast. The series is designed to allow disabled athletes to become familiar with the sport of alpine ski racing in a fun and supportive environment.

In 2004, Vermont Adaptive aligned itself with the US Paralympics as an official partner and Paralympic Sport Club. Paralympic Sport Clubs are responsible for promoting awareness for the Paralympic Games and for developing programs and competitive events for physically disabled athletes. The US Paralympics is the sanctioning body for the US Olympics and hosts the Paralympics Games following the Olympic Games.

Vermont Adaptive and United States Association for Blind Athletes (USABA) partnered in 2007 to offer the first National Winter Festival “learn to ski, learn to race and Nordic event” for visually impaired and blind athletes. The organization has hosted the event ever since.

Sadly, in 2008, Vermont Adaptive lost a great friend, Jim Hutchinson. For many years Jim served on the Board of Directors; Jim was a volunteer, a Race Director for the VT 100, and at one time served as the Executive Director. Through his active involvement his presence is inherently woven into the fabric of the organization we are today. In Jim’s memory, we honor our top volunteers with the “Jim Hutchinson Volunteer of the Year Award.”

To better serve Chittenden County, in 2008 Vermont Adaptive expanded to a third Winter Program location at Bolton Valley Ski Area. Its proximity to Burlington and the rest of Chittenden County provide a convenient location for many year-round residents.

2010’s

The inaugural Century Ride (now The Charity Challenge) to Benefit Vermont Adaptive began in 2011 by the Black Family sponsored by the Lookout Tavern in Killington.

This event quickly grew, and Long Trail Brewing partnered in 2012 as the title sponsor. The event remains a strong source of operational funding along with the VT 100 and VT 50.

In 2013 Vermont Adaptive completed construction of the first adaptive sports center in Vermont, the Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge at Pico Mountain. This is a fully accessible space designed for the unique needs of our clients and families for programs, administration and storage. This project was completed in partnership with the Pico Ski Education Foundation.

2020’s

Adaptive Sports Facility at Sugarbush’s Mt. Ellen opens

The Community Sailing Center in Burlington has been a devoted partner to Vermont Adaptive, providing a space for an administrative desk, shared storage and access to the lake and bike path. From this spot, Vermont Adaptive offers more than 300 sailing, paddling and cycling lessons every summer. However, we have outgrown this shared and borrowed space.

“If I can do this, I can do anything!”
Donations:
Vermont Adaptive, the race net proceeds benefactor, is a non-profit that provides sports opportunities to individuals with disabilities, and is supported greatly by donations.

Visit the donors page of our website at vermontadaptive.org for more information on donating, or donate now.
Where Your Donations Go, info sheet.

Stress Free Registration
We’ve set a $35,000 fundraising goal for to show our continued support Vermont Adaptive.

If you commit to raise a minimum of $500 before September 6 at noon ET, you can avoid race registration on May 25th and will be entered into the race by the Race Director.
You must contact the Race Director, Mike before May 25, at 7 p.m. if you’d like to choose this option.
Vermont 50 Race Weekend Info
Our races include:
- 50 mile Mountain Bike Race
- Womens 2-person Bike Relay
- Over 60 2-person Bike Relay
- 50 mile Ultra Run
- 50 Km Endurance Run
- 50 mile 2-3 Person Team Relay Run
- And 0n Saturday we have a Kids FREE Fun Bike Rides and Runs
We are a family friendly event offering lots of kid centered activities such as the Hay Bale Treasure Hunt, The Fun Run, clowns, face painting and more!

Race registration opens each year on May 25th at 7 p.m. ET.
The mountain bike race sells out in minutes, the run races fill up more slowly.
We offer a Stress-Free Fundraising option visit our registration page for more information.

NOTE-This Race DOES NOT allow E-Bikes.

Join Us And Find Out Why The Vermont 50 Has Become So Popular.

The Vermont 50 Mountain Bike or Ultra Run was founded in 1993 by Laura Farrell (left in blue jacket in the photo above).

She is also the Founder of Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports and The Vermont 100 Endurance Race

In 1993, Laura and a hand full of runners started The Vermont 50 Mountain Bike or Ultra Run in West Windsor, Vermont. It was created so runners could qualify to run in the Vermont 100 Endurance Race. It has since grown to over 1300 Mountain Bikers and Ultra Runners in it’s 30 years. And thank you the support of our local landowners, our race course is about the same since it’s inception.

Net proceeds from this race benefit Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports which was also founded by Laura.

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is a wonderful place where youth and adults with disabilities gain a measure of self confidence and independence by participating in adaptive sports programs and activities year-round.

There is something for everyone at the Vermont 50: the 50 mile Mountain Bike Race; the 50 mile Ultra Run; the 50K Run; the Team Relay; 60+ Mtn Bike Race; Women’s Mtn Bike Relay Race and the Kids Fun Run.

Spots fill-up quickly so early registration is a must! There is no day-of registration.

Saturday is Family Day!

Children’s Fun Runs And Bike Rides

Hay Bale Treasure Hunt
The Treasure Hunt Follows The Kid’s Race
Have The Little Ones Bring Sand Pails Or Bags To Collect Their Treasures!

Hay Bale Treasure Hunt ~4 p.m. (Weather Permitting)
Hay Piles for each of these age groups:
Toddlers-3 years old
4-6 years old
7-10 years old
Vermont 100 Info
Charity Challenge
VT50 Testimonials