Hundreds of leaf peepers expected for half marathon, 5K on Oct. 5
September 26, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti
Runners in the final stretch of the Leaf Peepers race. File photo by Gordon Miller
It isn’t officially fall in Waterbury until the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon rolls through. The annual 13.1-mile race, along with its 5K option are set for Sunday, Oct. 5, rain or shine.
Registration is still open, and Race Director Will Robens reminds runners that participants need to sign up online in advance. “There is no day-of registration,” he said. “So far, there are about 400 registered, and we expect around 500 by next weekend.”
The Leaf Peepers Half Marathon has been a destination fall road race since 1984 with the 5K added in 1990.
The start and finish for both races are set up at the Vermont State Office Complex on South Main Street. Runners head south on Main Street, over the U.S. Route 2/Vermont Rt. 100 bridge briefly into Moretown, then turn onto Rt. 100 south into Duxbury where the course takes Duxbury’s Main Street to River Road. It loops back with runners returning into Waterbury via the Winooski Street bridge to the Cross Vermont trail through Randall Meadow and back to the state complex lawn at the horseshoe drive. The 5K follows the same path with its turn-around point at Winooski Street. (See course maps here).
Organizers like to note that the race is “timed for optimal fall scenery” as the course winds along the gravel River Road beside the Winooski River during peak foliage season.
Photos above by Joe Viger Photography, courtesy of the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon. Click to enlarge.
Some important details for runners and spectators:
Bib pickup begins at 7 a.m. The half-marathon start is 9 a.m.; the 5K start is 9:15 a.m. The races should be wrapping up around noon.
There are no road closures for the race. Organizers will have police and volunteers along the course to calm traffic. Motorists should expect delays if they drive through Main Street in Waterbury, the short stretch of Rts. 2/100 in Moretown, and River Road in Duxbury between 9 a.m. and noon.
Volunteers are still needed for roles such as check-in, course marshals, water stop assistants, and post-race food distribution. Robens said new this year will be pacers for the half-marathon runners. See the race website for its Contact Us section to sign up for volunteer duties.
Parking: Ample parking is available at the state complex. Enter via Park Row or State Drive to reach the parking area behind the office buildings. Race-goers are not to drive into Horseshoe Drive or the nearby church parking lot.
Race entry fees are $65 for the half marathon and $45 for the 5K. A Leaf Peepers t-shirt is included with the fee.
Results will be posted following the race online at cvrunners.org.
At the finish, awards are given for the first overall male and female finishers and to the first male and female finishers in each of the race age categories.
Find all of the race details and registration forms online at leafpeepershalfmarathon.org.
The Leaf Peepers Half Marathon & 5K starts at the State Office Complex and brings hundreds to Waterbury each year. Photo courtesy Central Vermont Runners.