2022 West River Trail Run

10 years ago, the West River Trail Run began as an opportunity to come together and support The Collaborative in building a healthier and inclusive community. In honor of our history and in celebration of our community coming together in-person, we will once again be hosting this run. We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of you, whether you have been running the trail for years or joining us for the first time.  This being said, we will not be acknowledging top finishers but celebrating participants as a whole. The participation bags we have always put great thought and effort to promoting our local and statewide businesses within these bags, and this year is no different. 

This being said, we will not be acknowledging top finishers but celebrating participants as a whole. While we will not be giving out finisher awards this year, we will be celebrating all of our participants with beautiful commemorative medals and pumped up swag bags with products from our community.

This trail run is 11 miles from South Londonderry following the West River to Jamaica State Park. It's an amazing trail and encourages outdoor enthusiasts to participate or spectate. There is an option to participate as an individual runner, as part of a 3-leg relay, or in the 5K Fun Run. All proceeds go to The Collaborative, nonprofit implementing healthy activities for youth in the Southern Vermont communities.

The run starts with 4 miles of flat trail. This section will be on the main rail-trail, which provides a more gentle grade and relatively easy travel. The trail follows the campground road through the campground and over a single-lane bridge crossing the Winhall River.  The second section starts with a nice level path then begins an uphill and switchback, single trail. From the south trailhead of Winhall Brook Campground, the surpack surface of the West River Trail continues along the river’s edge. Becoming a footpath through the forest, the single-track section of trail involves several short uphill jaunts and a variety of stream crossings. This is considered the most challenging section of the trail. The third section begins with 3.5 miles of gradual downhill and flat trail. The switchback trail traverses back and forth across the steep face of the dam, arriving in the river valley as a footpath. The trail follows the river down stream, crossing the Cobb Bridge. The West River Trail continues along the old railroad grade. This section of trail is well-used and provides easy running with lovely views of the river. At the finish, there will be shade, the river to cool off and food to refuel after completing Southern Vermont's hidden gem of a run.

For more information or to register please visit thecollaborative.us/westrivertrailrun