The seventh annual Village Ultra took place Sept. 2-3, 2023, in New Salem, Mass. This year’s event raised money to fund dance scholarships through the Victoria Rose Scholarship Fund. Runners had up to 24 hours to run or walk as many miles as they wanted on four separate loops, all while supporting a good cause and celebrating the memory of Victoria Rose Gaignard, the scholarship’s namesake. The following are a small sample of photos from the weekend. A full photo gallery can be viewed on the MassUltra Facebook page.
Victoria Rose Gaignard’s presence was felt all over the place at the 2023 Village Ultra with photos at the aid station and every bead station among the reminders. After passing away in a fire in 2016 at age 8, the Victoria Rose Scholarship Fund has raised money to provide dance scholarships. This year’s Village Ultra raised money to fund more scholarships. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Runners on the blue loop at the 2023 Village Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Runners and walkers on the road through New Salem during the 2023 Village Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Carla Halpern (left), Kristina Hartjens (center), and Rebecca Gonzalez-Kreisberg (right) enjoy a trip around the white loop together during the 2023 Village Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Runners and walkers collected beads along their way through the four different loops at the Village Ultra. Each bead station at this year’s Village Ultra included a photo of Victoria Rose Gaignard, the namesake of the Victoria Rose Scholarship Fund that received proceeds from the event. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.A trio of The Village Ultra participants hike back up the gravel road on the silver loop. The silver loop took runners by an apple orchard and a hard cider farm. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.The Quabbin Reservoir, apple orchards, and forested hillsides were some of the scenery runners enjoyed at The Village Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Su Hoyle runs through a tunnel as she closes out a 50K at the 2023 Village Ultra. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.Runners collected beads on a shoestring to track their mileage while completing The Village Ultra’s four mini-loops. Photo by Chris Wristen/MassUltra.
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