Since its founding in 2017, the Village Ultra has supported a new organization each year with the goal of making a positive impact. It began with helping a family with a child needing medical treatment for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, and in later years raised funds for R.C. Mahar Regional Middle School and High School, the Swift River School in New Salem, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), and a LGBTQIA+ youth support organization called The Trevor Project.
When the U.S. Supreme Court in late June overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating abortion as a constitutional right and opening the door to states to completely ban the medical procedure, Village Ultra founder Carla Halpern knew what the 2022 event would support: the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts.
The Village Ultra was founded in 2017 with a pair of goals: create endurance running and walking opportunities in New Salem, Mass., and raise money for important causes.
The fifth annual running of the Village Ultra 24- and 12-hour run took place Sept. 5-6 in New Salem, Mass. In addition to the in-person running, a handful of runners took part virtually.
When Carla Halpern started the Village Ultra in 2017, she did so with the goals of supporting good causes and providing an endurance opportunity in her community.
After a seven-month drought of in-person ultramarathons in Massachusetts due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, runners were finally able to gather for a socially-distanced, time-based race at the fourth annual Village Ultra on Sept. 5-6 on the Town Common in New Salem, Mass.
The fourth annual Village Ultra took place Sept. 5-6 on the Town Common in New Salem, Mass. The event offered runners the opportunity to see how many miles they could run in 24-hour or 12-hour timeframes, but also had a drop-in option where runners could run or walk for shorter amounts of time. Additionally, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic this year, the event was capped at 50 attendees (runners, walkers and volunteers), so a virtual race option was made available to encourage additional participation.
Eighteen ultramarathons in Massachusetts have been canceled and a few more postponed or turned into virtual events due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. In fact, the last in-person ultra race in the state took place all the way back on Feb. 1-2 at the TARCtic Frozen Yeti 30-Hour Ultra.
The wait for an in-state, in-person ultra may be almost over for runners in the Bay State. Carla Halpern, Race Director for the Village Ultra 24-Hour and 12-Hour Runs, recently received approval to conduct her event from 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 through 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6 on the Town Common in New Salem, Mass. Continue reading Village Ultra Receives Approval for September In-Person Running→
Since its founding in 2017, the Village Ultra has been all about giving. Specifically, it has been about giving support to charitable causes and giving runners the opportunity to pursue personal-best performances in a low-key environment.
True to form, the third annual 24-hour event accomplished both goals on Aug. 31-Sept. 1 at the New Salem Town Common in New Salem., Mass. Around two-dozen runners and walkers took part in the event and money was raised to support the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides low-cost or free legal services to immigrants and refugees. A final fundraising total isn’t yet available because some runners made pledges remotely, but co-race director Carla Halpern said she knew hundreds of dollars were raised for RAICES. Continue reading Third Annual Village Ultra is All About Giving→
A few things have changed during its short history, but the Village Ultra remains true to its roots. Founded with the mission of raising funds to support charitable causes, the Village Ultra continues that mission as race director Carla Halpern prepares to play host to the third annual event Aug. 31-Sept. 1 on the Town Common in New Salem, Mass. Continue reading Third Annual Village Ultra to Raise Funds for RAICES→
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