Juniors on the Run

The Mansfield/Craftsbury girls relay team: 102/723 teams and winning Jr Women’s team. Skiers rock! #FastandFemale

Several Craftsbury skiers were part of Vermont City Marathon Relay teams this past Sunday. Perhaps their background with the cold Vermont winter was able to pay dividends on the 40F and rainy day?

The majority of Craftsbury members at the marathon were on one of the 9 (nine!?) teams fielded by Craftsbury Academy. For a school the size of CA to send 26 members of the school community to contest the race is very impressive. Craftsbury members Marc Gilbertson and Whitney Kaulbach were part of a three person team with Anna Strong to break the tape in 3:17:42 and lead CA affiliated teams home.

Craftsbury skiers Anders Hanson, Adrian, and Kestrel Owens were part of the Chargers on the Road group finishing in 3:46:46. Jacob Morse and the Charger Blue Chargers broke the tape in 4:23:59, while member Allison Van Akkeren joined team Charger Wonderwoman in their 4:30:57 marathon.

The other team with substantial Craftsbury membership was the Mansfield Nordic Club BKL team. Craftsbury skiers Anica Koontz Miller, Quincy Massey Bierman and her sister Marika joined Mansfield friends Olivia Cuneo and anchor leg Eliza Thomas on a 3:36:56 romp through the VCM (for some of the girls, their second race of the weekend). This time netted them 102nd of 723 3-5 person teams, and they were the first junior girls team to cross the line, guaranteeing their place in the 2014 event! All the girls ski as J2s and younger, so they have the opportunity to defend their JR Women's team title for a while yet.

Strong work to all marathon participants and congrats in persevering in challenging conditions. You can find full results for the team competition as well as all marathon results at coolrunning.com.

The Mansfield BKL team’s Olivia Cuneo on the third leg of the relay.

Still smiling through the rugged conditions.