Cancelled Event
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Hills, rocks, and trails...oh my!
This rugged course on Dorset's Mount Aeolus takes you through hardwood forests and past historic marble quarries. Portion of the proceeds to benefit Second Chance Animal Shelter!
View the 2019 Runner's Manual HERE
Stick around after the race and fuel up with some local treats and offerings from our sponsors!
Check out some photos from the 2018 race and 2019 race!!
Last day to guarantee a shirt: Aug. 1
Last day to get your name printed on bib: Aug. 5
Course
The Lost Cat offers steep climbs, varied terrain, and scenic descents. Incredible valley views and historic buildings from the height of Vermont's marble boom. The 50k consists of roughly 50% trail (about half and half singletrack and doubletrack/jeep trail) and 50% road (10% pavement, 40% packed dirt/gravel)
Starting down low at Town Hall in East Dorset, you'll get a rolling prelude to the climbs ahead. Historic orchards and stands of sugar maple line this part of the course. The course then transitions to steeper class 4 roads and trails on Mount Aeolus after a beautiful 5k singletrack section through old pine plantations above Emerald Lake. All distances are a single loop-type format, and will end back in town where they started.
This is NOT a flat race! The half marathon has approximately 2,400' of climbing and the 50k has approximately 4,500'.
If you don't like dirt roads, you won't like this course. In the style of classic races like the JFK 50 and the Vermont 100, the Lost Cat is a great way to showcase your speed and practice tough transitions while hitting a wide variety of terrain. This is not the most technical course, though some sections are technical enough to make you regret saying that. Depending on the year and how recently some of the jeep roads have washed out, some sections can look more like rocky technical trail or like smooth runable road. 2019's race featured a rock pile the size of a small house near the finish of the course. Be prepared for lots of changing gears and unbelievably cruisy descents. Road shoes and trail shoes are both a bad choice.
Note that the 50k has the most trail of any of the distances. If you drop down to the marathon you'll be missing out on one of the most scenic sections of the course, 5 miles of trail straight up Mount Aeolus.
Due to the land ownership considerations, there will not be a course map available before the race. Rough outlines and Aid Station locations will be available, along with crew/spectator access directions. The course will be very well-marked.
There is a ~2 mile highway section positioned several miles into the course; all distances will cover the highway stretch. There is ample shoulder and good visibility, however it is the runner's responsibility to ensure they are safe on the road. This includes bright or reflective clothing, etc. There will be volunteers, flagging, and marking on the road sections of the course, but traffic will not be stopped on this segment. You will also cross an active set of railroad tracks... twice! While it's unlikely any trains will be present, be prepared to wait a couple of minutes.
Be prepared for mountain weather and changing conditions. As we say in Vermont, if you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes!!
The CUTOFF time for all distances will be 4 PM. This gives half marathoners 7 hours, making it a great event for walkers!
2020 Schedule & cutoffs
Friday, 8/23
Early bib pickup details TBA
Saturday, 8/24
6:45-7:30 am: Check-in & bib pickup, Marathon and 50k - Location: Dorset Town Hall - 112 Mad Tom Road, East Dorset, VT
7:30-8:30 am: Half marathon check-in & bib pickup
8:00 am: Marathon and 50k start
9:00 am: Half marathon start
9:30 am: Dorset Hill Aid Station open to crew (Marathon & 50k ONLY)
1:45 pm: Sweeney Aid Station cut-off (roughly mile 9 half marathon, mile 14.5 marathon & 50k)
2:30 pm: Cut-off to start the Rabbit Ears, 50k
4:00 pm: Finish cut-off, all distances
Aid stations
There will be fully stocked aid stations every 3-7 miles. Aid stations will feature Hammer Heed electrolyte drinks, Hammer gels, and Hammer Endurolyte salt tabs. Expect all the traditional sweet and salty aid station foods plus MAPLE SYRUP SHOTS available on-course. Seriously.
Bring a bottle or pack for water! It may be hot and humid and the next aid station might feel a lot further than it is!
There will be one drop bag location near the midpoint of the 50k with crew access. Drop bags/crew for marathon and 50k runners only.
Photos & Swag
The Lost Cat will be photographed by renowned sports photographer Joe Viger. All participants will take home FREE web-sized downloads of their photos, courtesy of Nor'east Trail Runs! Higher resolution prints and downloads are also available - support your amazing photographers! Last year, two Lost Cat runners wound up on the cover of the American Trail Running Association (ATRA) page when one of Joe's photos was selected to represent USA trail running around the world!
All runners will receive a tech shirt. Finishers get a custom dog tag medal and a finisher's pint glass!
Awards & Raffle
50k finishers take home something unique to remember the race that can't be had anywhere else, we promise. You'll have to find out what it is by finishing... Custom, locally made awards for top three male and female at each distance!
There will be a raffle to benefit the Second Chance Animal Shelter with great local prizes courtesy of our awesome sponsors on Sunday, 8/23 following the Dorset Hollow Road Race 5k & 10k! Tickets will be available to purchase at the Lost Cat. 100% of the proceeds go to Second Chance!
Timing
The Lost Cat 50k will be fully chip timed by Mike Melton of industry leaders MCM timing!!! Pushed live to the cloud and at the start/finish via real time updated board, the race utilizes fully redundant state-of-the-art equipment. Timing will also employ backup checks along the course for accuracy.
Dorset Running Festival
The Lost Cat is day two of the Dorset Running Festival, three days of races in historic Dorset, Vermont. If the Lost Cat alone isn't enough for you, join us on Sunday, August 23rd for the Dorset Hollow Road Race 5k & 10k, a scenic rolling road race through idyllic Dorset Hollow!
Wildcard Friday
New for 2019, WILDCARD FRIDAY!!!
The Dorset Running Festival will feature an annual 'wildcard' race to kick the weekend off! Featuring a STEEP one-mile road race (alternating uphill and downhill) and a syrup mile and a (carbonated) sap mile (also alternating)! For 2020, Wildcard Friday features the Downhill Mile and the Syrup Mile!!
Lodging
Official Lodging Partner info coming soon!!
Volunteer
Volunteer and earn credit for future Nor'east Trail Runs race entries or swag ($15 of credit per hour of volunteering)! Sign up above for shifts of 2-6 hours before, during, and after the race.
Race entries are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Event's current local time: 4:08 AM ET
