Drop Bags

The Vermont 50, allows the use of drop bags.
Our volunteers receive them in the BIG TENT, pack them up and deliver them to the designated aid stations and later return the drop bags to the BIG TENT BUT only after each aid station closes.

Drop Bag Drop Off at the Big Tent on Saturday

Your Drop Bags must be checked at the Drop Bag Table in the BIG TENT no later than 7 p.m. Saturday evening.

Drop bags will be tagged with colored tape
Biker-Lime Green Tape
Runner-Yellow Tape

If you come with a crew-you can have them carry and pick up your Drop Bags for the crew aid stations Skunk Hollow, Greenall’s, and Johnson (no waiting for your drop bags to return from on course)

Drop Bag Size

Many of the bags we receive are TOO LARGE, making it very difficult for our hard-working volunteers who must transport them.

We will not accept: BOXES, RUBBERMAID CONTAINERS, SUITCASES etc. as Drop Bags

Download a Drop Bag Info Sheet

A small backpack or gear bag, on the order of 9”x 9” x 16” is appropriate if shoes, a top garment and bottle are included.
Weight not to exceed 10 lbs per bag. We will weigh them!
Your bag must be soft-sided (no plastic storage boxes please)
Be securely closed
Labeled clearly with your name and most importantly your bib number
Also include the name of the aid station to avoid confusion by you or by us. Make your drop bag as unique a possible within our stated guidelines.

Drop Bags Return to the Big Tent on Sunday

Drop bags will be returned to the BIG TENT ONLY after each aid station closes, not before!

You will have to wait at the BIG TENT to pick up your drop bags

We WILL NOT mail them to you.
This is your property and it is your responsibility to pick up your bag at the BIG TENT at the end of the race.

Aid Stations that Accept Drop Bags

50 mi
#3-Skunk Hollow, 7-Greenall’s and 10-Johnson’s

50 KM
#2K-Ralph’s, 7-Greenall’s and 10-Johnson’s

We will deliver drop bags from the start/BIG TENT drop off Saturday night to aid stations, early Sunday morning.

Be sure to label your bag with the name of the aid station you want it dropped at, your name and most importantly, your bib number.

Shedding Clothes on Course

You may drop clothing during the race at any aid stations
EXCEPT–Garvin Hill or Cady Brook.

At the other aid stations our volunteers will bag up your dropped items and bring them back to the BIG TENT BUT ONLY AFTER that aid station closes. Your are responsible for sorting through the bags of clothing to find your stuff.

We do not guarantee they will be back before you may want to leave, and we WILL NOT MAIL ITEMS TO YOU.

Nothing will be returned before a given station officially closes.

What should I put into my drop bags?

Extra pair of shoes at the first drop station, if you think there’s a chance you may need to change. Most folks never do.
Clean, dry socks
Skin lube, band-aids
If you are prone to blisters include a small ‘kit’ in each bag (i.e. band-aids, sterile wipes, talcum powder)
Electrolyte caplets or dissolving tablets, if you use them
Gels or Blocks or Stingers Gels. Gels will not be provided at the aid stations
Non-liquid snacks if your system, due to allergies, cannot tolerate items provided at the aid stations
A light waterproof or resistant layer top and lightweight cap if there’s rain in the forecast (a small pouched poncho is perfect and takes up little space)
A light jacket and even lightweight gloves if the forecast is for cold weather

What NOT to put in Your Drop Bag

Anything that could break if dropped from a height of 4 feet.
No Glass Containers
wallets
cell phone (There’s no reception anyway)
purse
watches
GPS
jewelry, etc.
Don’t ever put anything in a drop bag that you aren’t prepared to part with permanently.

The following items can be carried in a small pouch by itself, or as part of a water belt, or a backpack:

band-aids in a small plastic baggie
electrolyte caplets and Advil, also in a baggie
gels or chews
Runners if you wear Race Ready Shorts, you can carry most of the above and even a few more gels in them. On a decent weather day therefore, you would have no need for drop bags.
Bikers can carry these items on their backs in their packs or in shirt pouches.