In its inaugural year, the Frost Town Trail Fest 10K and 25K definitely set itself up for a place on the race calendar. I did the 25K. It had rained the night before, so the woods were somewhat damp.

Course mgmt was done by a group from VT that are friends of the Cummings Nature Center where the race was held. They did an excellent job marking the course, making sure the aid stations were full, and preparing the overall race amenities along with the nature center.

The course was rugged. Much of it was run on old logging roads except for the middle that ran through the nature center land. The beginning was mostly an ascent/descent in the first few miles to get us warmed up before a few miles of less aggressive work through the nature center. Then we started the major descent. This descent was probably a mile and half or so and was somewhat carved out of the woods along logging roads/Old stream bed and included a lot of uneven footing including rock and mud. It was not an easy stretch as many descents are. Not for the person who likes to run buttery smooth single track. The ascent right afterwards was actually a welcome site, even at a gain of several hundred feet over the next mile or so.

They did have to cut the course a little short because of recent weather I guess. That made it more like 22K. No complaining. The final stretch running through large Ponderosa(?) Pines was pretty awesome as you could also see the brew fest going on and hear the solo artist performing.

Swag included a tech shirt and Pilsner Glass and I got my first beer right after the finish line. A local well known eatery served us our lunch, (awesome chili or you could buy sandwiches). There were about 5 local breweries you could sample from as your race registration got yo into the brew fest for free. There was also a local kombucha brewing company! The solo artist was a one man band with guitar, harmonica, singing, and drums. Pretty sweet with all this in the midst of 100 ft pines.

Overall a great race, but you’ve got to be ready for that downhill, it’s kind of rugged terrain.

I believe this was the first year for this late Winter/early Spring race. Until about 10 days ago, there was enough hard packed snow to still cross country ski. Then the rain and higher temps came. Race management did a good job to rearrange the course and offer a solid race. Low key trail race without a lot of the usual, and oftentimes unneeded hype and paraphernalia of many races. Shirts/sweatshirts weren't done well, so race management decided to have them redone instead of handing our inferior product. I appreciated the honesty. Simple snacks afterwards, ample parking, several raffles. Race course included several sections of mud, hills, flats, technical and fast terrain. A good mix.

Nice first race of the season, or if you've already been competing, then a nice weekend trail race. Start time was later in the morning which made it convenient and relaxed as well. All trail races should be this simple and enjoyable, easy to go, compete, and have fun.

Find my full review at http://trailrunningfaith.blogspot.com/2018/04/2018-racing-season-sloppy-fools-4-mile.html

Great event run well by this popular company. I did the vertical challenge. Sign up was easy and included links to local places to stay and fun things to do. Packet pick-up was easy. The location was awesome and beautiful if not challenging.

Swag included an awesome and large medal as well as a nice long sleeve 1/4 zip technical pullover.

Food included plenty of snacks as well as a free beer.

Parking was a breeze and my wife and son even got to ride to the top of the mountain for free in the gondola to watch me.

There were also plenty of give always after the race, timing results online, and pictures too.

The course was extremely challenging, just 1.25 miles long, but 1500 ft of gain, insane.

Well done by this group! See my full review at http://trailrunningfaith.blogspot.com/2017/08/2017-racing-season-under-armour_22.html