The 21st annual Trail Around Middlebury (TAM) Trek took place on Sunday, Sept. 15, hosted by the Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT). The Trek’s events included a 19-mile loop of the entire trail, 5k and 10k races, and a two-mile fun run open to adult runners and walkers, young children and dogs.
As in previous years, the start and finish area was located by the entrance to Wright Park. The full race began at 7:30 a.m. and parents and kids took their marks at 10 a.m for the two-mile run, the day’s final race. Behind the finish line, local vendors provided snacks and other refreshments, allowing everyone from seasoned trail runners to middle schoolers to refuel after the race.
The TAM Trek is just one of the many programs and services that MALT has sponsored over the trail’s 35-year history, according to their website. In addition to the race, the organization has hosted birding, nature art walks, volunteer trail cleaning and other trail-related community events. MALT is also responsible for the maintenance of the TAM, spending over $50,000 annually on upkeep and conservation costs. Part of the funding comes from events like the TAM Trek, as proceeds from Sunday’s race will go to supporting the continued preservation of the trail network.
Participation in this year’s Trek was the highest on record. Jamie Jo Horton, executive director of MALT, explained that the Trek had surpassed 300 race entries for the first time; she also expects this year’s fundraising to be a record high.
“We actually have a record number of participants this year — we broke 300 for the first time, so that’s really exciting,” Horton said.
“We’ll also probably break a fundraising record too,” she added.
The setting of new records extended beyond just participation and fundraising this year, though, as a new course record was set by runner Archibald Fraser.
Fraser explained that he had entered the Trek without any expectations, as he was more focused on an upcoming marathon at the end of this year. Crossing the line in just over two hours and eight minutes, Fraser secured a comfortable victory with an average pace of 6:46 per mile. A Vermonter himself, Fraser has run the Trek in previous years, giving him some experience with the TAM’s technical features. After separating from the other front-runner late in the race, he managed to secure the win.
Cate Williams of Williston, Vt., age nine, won the two mile fun run and walk portion for the women’s side with a time of 19:10. Aldo Howarth of Middlebury, age eight, hailing from Middlebury, Vt. achieved first place in the men’s field of the two mile competition, coming in at 20:45.
The 5k race was won in the women’s category by Cal Hobson at 22:51, and Hayden Laster clinched the win for the men’s competition at 22:23.
Nathan McElrath won the men’s 10k race with a time of 37:23, and Melissa Nestel took the victory for the women’s 10k at 44:13.
For Sydney Rogers ’25, running the TAM Trek has been a long-time goal. She registered with some friends, who were all striving to finish the 19-mile race around Middlebury.
“It’s kinda always been on my bucket list and I’m a senior now so I figured if I was gonna do it, it had to be this year,” Rogers said.
The TAM features a range of challenging terrains, from the rocky trails of the Otter Creek Gorge Preserve to a demanding ascent of Chipman Hill. Runners also had to navigate obstacles such as cow pasture fences, mud, dangerous footing, dense and tall grass, and constant hills.
Though these challenges are taxing, the race offers many rewarding elements. Runners cruised along the smooth trails of Battell Woods, enjoyed panoramic views of Vermont from Chipman Hill and frolicked through the fields by the Knoll.
With multiple access points from campus, the TAM is a great option for anyone seeking time outdoors, whether they are running, walking or biking.
However, Rogers and other Middlebury students added that the trail still seems underutilized amongst the Middlebury student body. Events like the TAM Trek provide a great opportunity for Middlebury students to engage with the excellent network of local trails, while also supporting an organization that ensures the TAM’s continued existence and the communal benefits that accompany it.
