“Who’s starting this thing?” the director of the race, Bob Dunkle said as he abruptly stopped his UTV near a group of Middlebury students at the course’s starting line and climbed out. One of the students offered to help, and Dunkle tossed him an airhorn as he delivered quick instructions.
Moments later, the first collegiate race of the 2025 Silloway Maple Syrup Challenge was officially underway, with the Middlebury women’s cross country team setting off on the 6k course alongside several regional programs.
The meet has become a staple for the Middlebury cross country programs’ fall schedule, serving as an early season tune up and providing a chance for runners to rehearse the routines of racing: Riding the bus together, warming up, toeing the line, and running in the singlet. Although these routines may seem minor, they serve a crucial role as the later meets become larger and more consequential for conference and national standing. Still, the opening race of Middlebury’s season also carries a unique atmosphere that bigger meets lack.
This year’s meet brought universities like Fitchburg State, Western New England, Husson, SUNY Canton and Norwich to Vermont State University’s Randolph campus this past Saturday. The proximity and size of these schools, coupled with the low-stakes setting, fosters a strong sense of community — something that Dunkle prioritizes in organizing the event.
“It’s a community thing. We have the high school meet here, and then we have the colleges here… it’s a nice local feel,” Dunkle said.
The course also adds to that character, bringing its own local quirks compared to those of other races. Athletes weave through an orchard and around the school’s campus, pass an old fire station, and snake through the Lake Champagne RV campground.
The Middlebury women’s cross country team navigated the course with an impressive display of pack running, claiming 20 of the top 21 spots in the race and tallying a perfect team score of 15 points. Claire Palmer ’29, Annelise Jensen ’29 and Audrey Maclean ’27 crossed the line together to take the first three positions, while Shea Fajen ’28 and Sheldyn Fisher ’27 closed out the scoring five.
Thirty minutes later, the Middlebury men’s runners followed up with a strong showing of their own. Notably, the men’s 8k course features a grueling extra hill, often a deciding factor in the race.
“The surprising thing is who can handle the hill and who can’t,” Dunkle said.
The men’s team handled the hill with ease, and like the women’s team, claimed the individual and team titles. Benjamin Hughes ’27 won the race, followed by Ethan Sholk ’29 in third. The Panthers then claimed fifth through eighth place.
Of course, the Silloway Maple Syrup Challenge would not be complete without the syrup itself. Per tradition, the winning teams receive one gallon of maple syrup, while the top three individuals are rewarded with pints. Tradition also calls for post-race swims in “Lake Champagne,” a small pond adjacent to the course.
Heavy rains kept most runners away this year, but the Panthers could be content without a dip as they returned to campus with gallons of maple syrup and four more titles to add to Middlebury’s growing tally.
Simon Schmieder '26 (he/him) is a Senior Sports Editor.
Simon is an avid runner and biker and enjoys spending time outdoors. He is a philosophy and political science joint major with a minor in German, in addition to being a Philly sports fan.
