World Class runners and coaches will gather at Vermont State University Randolph Campus March 15 & 16

Vermont State University, Randolph Center VT -

On March 15 and 16, Vermont State University will be hosting our 9^th annual Track and Field Festival at the Randolph Camus. Over the past 9 years the University has hosted many Olympic Athletes and coaches at the track fest, including Frank Shorter, Lasse Viren, Jim Ryun,  Tiffany Lott Hogan, Tapio Kusella, Craig Poole,  Golden Harper and many others.

This year we are focusing on "coaching the coaches", providing training on how to coach technique and covering training plans for both distance running and track & field events. We are especially excited this year to welcome Summer and Christian Allen, voted in 2019 as the fastest Couple in the NCAA . Summer Harper Allen is an elite runner who finished her college career at Weber State University. In 2021, she earned All-American honors in the 3,000 meters steeplechase by finishing eighth at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and competed for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in the Olympic Trials with a time of 9:38.61 in the first race (14th place) and 9:40.22 in the next (11th place).Summer is a graduate of exercise and sports science and is pursuing a Master of Education degree.

Christian Allen will be headed to World XC championships following the March 15 and 16^th weekend here in Vermont. Come and wish him luck as he represents team USA!

In addition to year-round collegiate racing, recording track PRs of 28:26 in the 10,000m and 13:34 in the 5,000m, plus top cross-country finishes, Allen has emerged as a tour de force on the trails and is a part of Andy Wacker's "The Trail Team".  Christian won the World Championships trail race held in Spain in 2023. He qualified for the Olympic Marathon trials this year. He is a BYU student in Provo Utah, coached by Olympian Ed Eyestone.

U-32 High School head coach Mark Chaplin recently said this of the track and field festival "I've attended countless track coaching clinics over the years, and most were so abstract and technical that they were of little practical value in high school coaching.  But this clinic is different.  First, it isn't diagrams and spreadsheets of workout progressions, but actual hands-on coaching of athletes.  And second, for those athletes, it is free of charge!  In the events I coach, sprints, hurdles, jumps and pole vault, it is an incredible opportunity to have your own technique evaluated, and get tips on how to improve, from college and national level coaches.  If you truly want to be as successful as possible this spring, this is an opportunity that you can't miss."  

Vermont State Randolph head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach Bob Dunkle encourages both high school and college coaches to attend "There is nowhere else in the country where you can get this level of expert training. We love hosting this event in Randolph. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity right in our own backyard."

Track& Field events will be coached by coaches like Craig Poole, head coach BYU track for 30 years and 4 years US Olympic Coach. David Kerin, nationally recognized High Jump and Pole vault coach, Chris Polakowski of Vermont, renown in strength and conditioning. Distance training and technique sessions will be run by multiple coaches, including Frank Shorter, Pablo Vigil, Christian and Summer Allen and John Dimick, who holds the record for fastest Vermont marathon.

Friday night March 15^th for a distance symposium and conversation with elite coaches and athletes. Judd Hall Vermont State University Randolph.

Saturday March 16^th is a day of coaching and hands-on training in the track & field events.  

This event is rated by Vermont coaches as the best of the best and an event not to be missed.

Registration is open through midnight Thursday March 14^th https://VermontStateColleges.formstack.com/forms/distance_symposiuim_and_track_fest_registration . Questions about the event should be directed to Knights@VermontState.edu or Hilary Linehan 802.728.1794.