0.0 miles,
Elevation: approx. 804 feetWestminster West Country Fair
Photos of the 5K race route:
0.0 miles,
Elevation: approx. 804 feet
The start is on the pavement of the Westminster West Road, in view of the church. You
immediately fork right and go onto dirt and uphill on West Rd. (marked with a green street
sign).
0.5
miles
The course curves left and stays on West Rd. You pass Old Athens Rd (marked with a
green street sign) on the right. This is serious sugaring country and you'll see sap
tubing on the sides of the road (waiting for late February) and several sugar houses.
0.5 miles, Elevation: 1001 feet
After a dip in the road that crosses a stream, you pass the highest point in the race,
by the Goodell orchards. To the east is Rocky Ridge, dividing the East Putney Brook valley
from the Connecticut River Valley (and Westminster West from the rest of Westminster).
1.5
miles
You've run a relatively-flat mile and now it's time to turn left onto Cross Rd (marked
with a green street sign) and head back down into the valley. (If you were to continue on
West Rd for 1/2 mile, you would come to Sidelands Sugarbush, the generous source of the
maple syrup prizes).
2.6 miles, Elevation: 797 feet
You reach the pavement of the Westminster West Rd at the lowest elevation of the race.
You turn left and stay on the pavement for only 200' and immediately turn left into a dirt
driveway.
2.6 miles
You fork left at this dirt driveway, following the power lines. This is the old road
which is now a grassy trail. The private driveway curves back to the left, but the trail
(and power lines) goes straight into the middle of this picture, to the left of the white
house. There will be race marshals here to help. The old road still has a good road bed
and the footing is even with no roots.
2.6 miles
The old road is a bit overgrown here, but the path is good. You can see the power line on
the right as the trail goes into the woods. You're going up and over a surprisingly big
hill.
3.0 miles
The final straight-of-way is down a gentle slope on a maintained dirt road, Church
Street. The race ends just before the church at an elevation of approximately 830 feet. At
the finish line, there will be an enthusiastic cheering crowd and plenty of
water.