I ran as part of being a Bibrave Pro, but I'm wondering how I didn't hear of this race earlier. There are multiple options for VCM: the full marathon, a 2 person relay (each runs half) and a 3-5 person relay.

Registration was easy enough. They use Chronotrack and registration ranges from $99-$135 depending on when you register. You could also register at the expo if there were space available.

I flew out to Burlington the Saturday of race weekend and it ended up being the hottest race in history. When I picked up my rental car I heard the employees talking about how the organizers had thought about canceling the race earlier in the week due to heat. I went over to the Sheraton Conference Center where packet pick up was and easily found my bib and race shirt. I activated my chip and searched the expo. It's a smaller expo, but a lot of local companies there. Also the opportunity to exchange shirts for different sizes. There was a message board for relay groups to post if they were looking for another runner if teams had fallen apart. I had the opportunity to catch up with Jess Cover, who does communications for VCM and she was awesome

I stayed at the Holiday Inn on Williston Road. Race morning, there were shuttles picking up runners from a bunch of the local hotels and bussing to the start to ease up on the parking, so I caught the shuttle from the Best Western right next door. Plenty of shuttles circling around. I got to the start and it was already in the mid 70s. I checked my bag and headed over to the porter potties. The lines were on the longer side, but I got through it.

The race started at 8 AM for the hand cyclists and 803 for the runners. We were off and already at a level yellow health watch for the heat. Within 2-3 miles, we were up to a level red. The first few miles were through town. Miles 4-9 were on highway and not shaded with miles 9-12 going through town to oakwood park. The aid stations were a bit spread out, but in the residential areas, people were out with water, ice and sprinklers. I felt like on the high way portion, we could have had extra aid stations given the heat. Expect hills, especially on the highway and not a whole lot of shade.

I really started struggling with the heat and was slowing down more and more. At one point, I felt like I wasn't sweating and my calf started bugging me. I ended up making the decision to pull out at the half way portion of the race. I was way off with my times and was concerned about not making the time cutoff for the finish.

I caught the 2 person relay shuttle to the finish and headed to finisher village on the waterfront. There were massage therapists there who worked on my leg. About 30-45 min after I pulled out, race officials made the decision to cancel the race. I agree with the decision because of how hot it was (84* and humid by the time pulled out and felt close to 90). Runners were bussed to the finish from aide stations. VCM did make the decision to keep times going in order for families to track where their runners were. They also kept the finish area open with food, etc.

This was the first race I DNF and then had the race cancelled. Regardless, race officials were a class act and were very communicative. I also think at some point I'll be back for VCM for redemption and because it's such a good atmosphere. Please don't let a race cancellation due to weather deter you from VCM!!