Catamount Ultra

Rolling highland pastures. Hardwood forest. Maple sugar tap lines ready for the spring "run". The Catamount Ultra returns for its 12th year on Saturday, June 20, 2026, starting and finishing at the beautiful Trapp Family Lodge outside Stowe, Vermont. 50k (two loops) and 25k (one loop) on primarily wide, hard‑packed dirt trails at the foot of Mount Mansfield — Vermont's highest peak. A course not to be missed.

Location & Venue:

• Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, Vermont — the famous mountain resort built by the von Trapp family (of The Sound of Music)
• Set at the foot of Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak (4,393 ft)
• Incredibly well‑maintained and protected multi‑use trail system
• Scenic views of the Green Mountains, highland pastures, and sugarbush (maple sugar orchards)
• Course passes through active maple sugar tap lines — the tubing and taps are in place, ready for the spring sap "run" (though by June, the run is over, the taps remain as a signature feature of the landscape)

Course Description:

• Primarily wide, hard‑packed dirt trail — very runnable, not overly technical
• Rolling terrain through highland pastures and hardwood forest (beech, birch, maple)
• Occasional rocky sections typical of Vermont trails, but nothing extreme
• 25k loop circumnavigates the Trapp Family Lodge trail network
• 50k runners complete the 25k loop twice
• Well‑marked with signs and flagging

What's Included:

• Chip timing
• Finisher medal for all participants
• Event shirt (technical fabric — design varies by year)
• Aid stations with water, electrolyte drink, and basic trail snacks (fruit, gels, pretzels, etc.)
• Post‑race food — typically Vermont‑style fare (local ingredients, hearty options)
• Medical support on course
• Bag drop at start/finish
• Parking at Trapp Family Lodge (free for runners)

Awards:

• Top 3 overall male and female
• Age group awards (check event website for specific categories)

Schedule:

• Bib pickup: race morning from 5:30 AM at the Trapp Family Lodge (exact location TBD)
• 7:00 AM — 50k start
• 8:30 AM — 25k start
• Course cutoff: check event website (likely generous — 10‑11 hours for 50k)

Logistics:

• Parking available on site at Trapp Family Lodge (arrive early — June is tourist season in Stowe)
• Accommodation: Trapp Family Lodge offers rooms, condos, and guesthouses — book early. Also many hotels, inns, and B&Bs in Stowe.
• No dogs allowed on course (Trapp Family Lodge trail policy).
• Strollers not permitted on the trail.
• Wheelchair accessibility? The wide, hard‑packed surface may be accessible for some off‑road wheelchairs — contact race director for specific accommodations.

Weather:

• June in Vermont: average high 75°F (24°C), low 55°F (13°C). Can be humid, but cooler than mid‑Atlantic or southern states.
• Afternoon thunderstorms possible — typical Green Mountain weather.
• Trails drain well (hard‑packed surface).

Registration & Refunds:

• Registration closes Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
• Check event website for refund/transfer policy.

History:

• 12th annual running — established trail event in the Vermont ultra scene
• Top men's performance: Eric LiPuma — 3:33:42 (2025)
• Top women's performance not shown — check results page

Organizer: Ironwood Adventure Works.