Cirque Series returns to Jay Peak for a high alpine sufferfest that trades smooth roads for steep climbs, rocky descents, and one of the more honest ways to spend a Saturday in Vermont. This is mountain running the way it should be, technical, scenic, punishing, and worth every step.

The Jay Peak course covers 6.7 miles and climbs 2,811 vertical feet, taking runners from Tramside through a mix of ski trails, service roads, and technical summit terrain before finishing back where they started. The race is capped at 500 runners, so if you’re thinking about it, don’t wait too long. 

Course Description
Runners will start at Tramside beside the Tram dock and climb Interstate right away, with the Tram overhead. From there, descend Perry Merrill Ave and head toward Stateside. After reaching Chalet Meadows, runners will take a slight right, pass underneath the Bonaventure Quad and connect onto Paradise Meadows. Follow Paradise Meadows over to Sweetheart, then climb Sweetheart to Heaven’s Road. Take Heaven’s Road across the mountain and into Hotshot Derrick for the first major climb of the day.

Grind up Hotshot Derrick to the Stateside peak, then descend Montrealer. Off Montrealer, connect onto Catwalk before dropping back down onto Northway. From there, make a short climb up Northway before turning onto Green Beret for the steepest climb of the day. Push straight up Green Beret toward the upper mountain, briefly connect onto Vermonter, then turn onto the Long Trail. Technical single track on Long Trail ridge to summit. No passing.

Follow the ridgeline across the summit of Jay Peak and into the Sky Haus aid station before beginning the long descent back toward Tramside. Drop down Sis Boom Bah, connect back onto Northway and then into Ullr’s Dream. Continue down Ullr’s before moving onto Kokomo, then Deer Run, and finally Harmony Lane for the descent back into the Tramside Base Area and the finish. Pace your climbs. Respect the descents. See you at the finish where you started.

Safety Notes
This course is steep, rocky, and potentially slippery, especially near the summit. The race route will be well marked with orange flagging, and all runners are expected to stay precisely on course. There is also a strict summit cutoff time of 2:00 hours. Runners who miss that cutoff will be brought down by Tram. The Long Trail segment on the summit ridge is also a no passing zone. 

Race Weekend Schedule

Saturday, September 26
Race day bib pick-up, 8:00 AM to 9:45 AM, Tramside at Aroma's Cafe (old real estate office)
Race start, 10:00 AM
Awards, approximately 1:00 PM
Giveaway, 1:30 PM
Vendor Village, all day
After party, 6:00 PM, location The Foundry Pub & Grill

What Runners Receive
Each competitor receives a snapback, giveaway ticket, logo’d bib, medal, sponsor swag bag, and free professional race photos. Cirque Series merchandise will also be available on site. 

Lodging
Jay Peak lodging is available for race weekend. Lodging details are linked directly through the event organizer’s page. 

Registration
Registration is handled through Cirque Series.

For More Info from the race organizers please visit their webpage below.
Cirque Series Race