The Covered Bridges Half Marathon is one of those races that runners put on their bucket list and then wait years to finally do. It's held each June on a rolling 13.1-mile course through three historic covered bridges, past dairy farms and rural Vermont backroads, finishing at Suicide Six ski area. In 2026 the race is Sunday, June 7, and — as usual — registration sold out in under 10 minutes.
Here's the full runner's guide if you got in, or if you're trying to plan for 2027.
Key takeaways
- Race date: Sunday, June 7, 2026
- Distance: Half marathon, 13.1 miles
- Course: Point-to-point from Pomfret Town Garage to Suicide Six Ski Area in South Pomfret
- Registration: Lottery format; opens mid-February; sells out within minutes
- Field: ~2,000 runners
- Elevation: ~500 feet net loss, but with meaningful hills in miles 6–9
- Pace: Relatively fast course despite the hills; PRs are common
Why runners love this race
Ask any Vermont runner what the most special race in the state is, and the answer is almost always the Covered Bridges Half. It combines three things:
- A genuinely beautiful course — three covered bridges, rolling farmland, and peak-green Vermont in its best early-summer condition
- A fast course relative to the scenery — net downhill, smooth pavement, and favorable weather
- A small, community feel — it's capped at about 2,000 runners and organized by a team of volunteers, so it feels more like a local race than a big-city event
The course
The course is a point-to-point run from Pomfret to South Pomfret, roughly paralleling the Ottauquechee River valley. Course details:
Miles 1–3: Easy opening
Rolling downhill on quiet paved roads past farms and river views. You'll cross the first covered bridge — the Lincoln Bridge (1877) — early.
Miles 4–5: Flat rhythm
True rolling through the Woodstock–Pomfret valley. A second covered bridge appears — the Taftsville Covered Bridge (1836, one of the oldest still in use) — and crosses the Ottauquechee with a beautiful river view to the left.
Miles 6–8: The hills
The course turns inland and climbs. This is where you feel the race. Not extreme — grades top out around 4–5% — but sustained and exposed. Most runners back off pace by 20–30 seconds here and then recover.
Miles 9–11: Rolling descent
After cresting the main hill, the course rolls down through pastureland and a third covered bridge crossing.
Miles 12–13.1: The finish at Suicide Six
The final stretch brings you into the base area of Suicide Six ski area with a modest closing climb and then the finish line in the field below the lodge. Spectators gather thick in the final quarter-mile.
Training realities
A few honest notes based on talking to local runners who've done this race many times:
- Don't underestimate the hills. Even fit runners who haven't trained on hills slow down 1–2 minutes in miles 6–8.
- Early June weather is variable. Low 50s and overcast is classic; upper 70s and humid happens too. Train for both.
- The course is genuinely fast for hilly Vermont. If you've run flat half marathons in the 1:45–2:00 range, expect something close.
- Hydration is tight. Aid stations are well-spaced but June humidity can be unforgiving. Bring a small handheld if you're used to it.
A reasonable 10-week training plan should work for most runners coming off a 10K base. Vermont runners sometimes do a training run over parts of the course in April or May — a great way to preview the hills.
Registration (read this if you want in)
Covered Bridges Half uses a lottery system that opens in mid-February each year. Notable:
- Every entrant submits a lottery application (not first-come/first-served)
- Lottery winners are drawn in late February
- The lottery is genuinely random — there's no benefit to applying early
- Charity bibs and entries are available through partner nonprofits if you miss the lottery
- Transfer of registration is not permitted
Confirm 2027 lottery dates at cbhm.com.
Race morning logistics
Parking and shuttles
All race-day parking is at the finish area in South Pomfret (Suicide Six). Runners park there and take shuttle buses to the start line at Pomfret Town Garage.
- Park at Suicide Six by 6:15 AM at the latest
- Shuttles leave continuously from 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM
- Shuttle ride is ~20 minutes
Start time
Race begins at 8:00 AM. Be at the start area by 7:30 AM.
Gear drop
A gear bus transports drop bags from the start to the finish. Bring a clear bag or the provided race bag.
Weather plan
Race happens rain or shine. Pack throwaway layers for the start — early June mornings in Pomfret can be in the mid-40s even if the day hits 75°F.
Where to stay for race weekend
Race weekend books up months ahead. Options:
Woodstock
Our top recommendation. 5–10 minutes from the finish line at Suicide Six. Plenty of dining and post-race recovery options. See our Woodstock weekend guide.
Quechee
15 minutes from the finish. Lower rates than Woodstock. See our Quechee guide.
Pomfret / Barnard (rural)
Quietest, closest to the course. Limited rental inventory but when available, a favorite for serious runners who want pre-race calm.
Killington
30 minutes. Worth it if you want to stay longer and combine with summer hiking or biking.
Book by early April 2026. Stay Vermont offers 2+ night stays that cover Saturday–Monday, ideal for runners who want a slow Sunday afternoon recovery meal and a Monday morning departure. Browse homes.
Pre-race and post-race essentials
Saturday expo
Runner check-in and bib pickup happens Saturday at Suicide Six. Avoid race-morning bib pickup — lines are long and stressful.
Saturday dinner
Keep it simple and close. Our recommendations:
- Mountain Creamery — hearty, carb-friendly, no reservations needed
- Worthy Kitchen — farm-to-table with great pasta options
- Prince and the Pauper — reservations recommended; a nicer pre-race dinner if you plan ahead (note: temporarily closed — check before your trip)
- In-home meal at your rental — easiest for race nerves
Post-race recovery
- Suicide Six lodge has post-race food and drinks, including a classic beer garden
- Most runners head to Woodstock afterward for a proper meal
- Woodstock Inn pool is open to guests — great post-race swim if you stay there
- Mon Vert Cafe opens early Monday for recovery coffee
Course highlights and photo spots
- Mile 1–2: The Lincoln Bridge — stop for a photo only if you're not chasing a time
- Mile 4: Taftsville Covered Bridge — one of the prettiest bridge crossings in Vermont
- Mile 8–9: Cresting the hills, the views open out onto rolling farmland
- Mile 12: The approach to Suicide Six, with base lodge visible from the last stretch
- Finish line: A small but enthusiastic crowd in the field below the lodge
Tips from locals
- Don't chase the first two miles. They're downhill. You'll pay for it in miles 6–8.
- Carry a handheld if the forecast is warm. Aid stations are thoughtful but can feel sparse on a hot day.
- Wear bridge-appropriate shoes. Covered bridges have wooden planks — not slippery, but slightly uneven.
- Ask a local about parking at Suicide Six early. By 6:30 AM the lot is more than half full on race morning.
- Stay Saturday and Sunday. Rushing back Sunday afternoon right after a half marathon is brutal.
- Add a Monday hike or drive. The Upper Valley after the race empties out quickly — Monday is one of the most peaceful days to explore.
The bottom line
The Covered Bridges Half Marathon deserves its reputation. It's beautifully organized, stunningly scenic, and one of the legitimately unique race experiences in the U.S. If you got into 2026, congratulations — don't under-prepare for the hills. If you didn't, put the February 2027 lottery in your calendar now.
Either way, Stay Vermont is your base camp. We handle a lot of runners every June. Reach out if you need help with race-weekend lodging.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Covered Bridges Half Marathon 2026? Sunday, June 7, 2026.
How fast does registration sell out? It's a lottery system, not first-come-first-served. Applications open mid-February; winners drawn in late February.
Is the course hilly? Rolling. Net downhill, but with meaningful climbs between miles 6 and 9. Not brutal, but enough to slow most runners 1–2 minutes.
Can spectators watch? Yes — at the start (Pomfret Town Garage), the Taftsville covered bridge (mile 4), and the finish at Suicide Six. Parking at mid-course points is limited.
What's a good goal time? The course is fast for hilly Vermont. If you run flat halfs in the 1:45–2:00 range, expect something close. If you're a PR-chaser, conditions are usually favorable in early June.
