Alright, so there’s this new trail race series hitting up New England in June, specifically in New Hampshire and Vermont. Cirque Series, which claims to be the biggest trail race series in the country, is making its East Coast debut this summer with races at Cannon Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire on June 7 and at Killington Ski Resort in Killington, Vermont on June 28. Over 4,200 runners are expected to participate this year, ranging in age from 6 to 82 years old.
The brain behind Cirque Series is none other than Julian Carr, a pro skier with an impressive resume that includes an X Games gold medal and a world record for the highest invert on skis. He’s even appeared in a bunch of Warren Miller films. Carr’s goal with Cirque is to create mountain races that are both super fun and crazy challenging, where runners summit peaks as efficiently as possible and then party it up at the finish line. Bringing the series to the East Coast is a big deal for him, as he believes the raw terrain and passionate community in the region match the grit of the runners who call these mountains home.
Teaming up with Tom Hooper, the founder of SIX03 Endurance, a New Hampshire-based trail running organization, Cirque is set to offer inclusive and rewarding experiences for all kinds of athletes. At Cannon, runners will tackle the 6.7-mile Kinsman Ridge Trail with 3,385 feet of elevation gain, soaking in breathtaking views of Franconia Ridge and Willoughby Gap. Meanwhile, at Killington, the 7.2-mile course with 3,133 feet of elevation gain will take runners through three of Killington’s peaks, offering stunning vistas of the Green Mountains.
If you’re interested in joining the action, check out Cirque Series’ website for more info. So, if you’re into trail running and mountain culture, this might just be the perfect way to challenge yourself and have a blast in the process. And who knows, maybe you’ll even spot Julian Carr shredding the trails alongside you!
