Epic Trail Adventures in the Northeast Kingdom

On October 25th athletes will test their strength, stamina and skills circumnavigating Burke Mountain!

East Burke, Vermont - Conservation Collaboratives, Kingdom Trails and the Burke Area Chamber of Commerce have partnered up to host the Fifth Annual CircumBurke Challenge on Saturday October 25th.  The 18 - 50 mile endurance event begins and ends amidst the sound of roosters and cows at the pastoral setting of the Belmont Stock Farm in East Burke.   Riders and runners will circumnavigate Burke and Umpire Mountains on a trail system that travels through wild and rarely experienced terrain in the remote town of Victory, VT.   The adventure encourages fun and spirited competition amidst fall scenery and mountain views.   The CircumBurke was voted the Best MTB Race/Ride in Vermont by Vermont Sports readers.

Food stations will be set up every 5 miles along the course to ensure that there are plenty of snacks, water and friendly faces to motivate runners and bikers.   At the finish line, participants will be welcomed home with cheers, a hearty, warm meal and a commemorative pint glass.   All participants will be entered into a raffle with the chance to win gear, clothing, trail passes, local foods, gift certificates and more.

“There is a wonderful sense of camaraderie at the CircumBurke.  It’s amazing that everyone is
smiling and laughing after finishing such a difficult course,” said Tim Tierney, Executive Director of Kingdom Trails.  “It is a unique event, because it gives people the opportunity to complete a long loop, almost entirely off-road.  Obviously, they love the challenge of it.”

This year offers a new ‘warm up’ event for CircumBurke on October 12th.  The new Backcountry Cross Race is a laid back, no frills trail event where mountain bikers, roadies and gravel grinders can put their skills, guts, speed and endurance to the test.  The 6 mile course includes trails, fields, roads and natural barriers such as stream crossings and logs.  There will be categories for men, women, masters, juniors and kids ranging in distance from 1 - 20 miles.

Proceeds from both events are used for trail improvements along the route and throughout the Kingdom Trails network of year round non-motorized trails.

To learn more about both events visit www.circumburke.org.   Register online for either event at www.bikereg.com or trail runners can register at www.runreg.com.  You can also register at the Kingdom Trails office in East Burke Village.  Registration for the Backcountry Cross Race is just $25 for adults, $15 for juniors and $2 for kids.  The CircumBurke will be limited to 500 participants this year.  Pre-registration is $45 until September 30th or $55 until October 24th at noon.

CircumBurke is a tribute to Dave Blumenthal, an avid endurance athlete, adventurer, writer and artist who lived in Montpelier.   Dave sadly died while competing at a bike race in the Colorado Rockies in 2010, but his love for the outdoors is celebrated through this event.   His friends from Conservation Collaboratives began CircumBurke just 5 years ago and the event has grown from 30 participants to an expected 500 bikers & runners this year!