Cirque Series Race Recap: East Coast Knows How to Be More Earth
July 1, 2025
Granite ridges in New Hampshire and steep forests in Vermont—races #1 & 2 of the 2025 Cirque Series delivered raw elevation, serious vertical gain, and nonstop runner energy. With Nature’s Sunshine and La Sportiva powering the vibe, this year’s east-coast-combo set a spectacular tone to "Be More Earth."
Cannon Mountain – Franconia, NH | June 7, 2025
- Course in Brief: 6.5 miles, 3,180 ft vertical gain; a relentless ascent along Kinsman Ridge Trail, followed by a misty, mysterious, adrenaline-fueled descent through Upper Ravine, Mittersill, Dragons Drop, and more.
- Race Vibe: Pleasant rain added to the the finish line smiles. The Cannon Mt. atmosphere felt complete with enthusiastic vendors, music, and an indoor awards ceremony tucked into alpine peaks.
Killington Mountain – Killington, VT | June 28, 2025
- Course in Brief: 8.2 miles, 3,010 ft elevation gain; winding through multiple peaks, capped with the brutal Needle’s Eye—an infamous 45% grade sprint—and a sweeping descent back to base.
- Race Vibe: The first-ever Killington Cirque race felt like a trail running festival turned up to eleven—runners mingled with live music, food-on-the-grill, giveaways, and high-energy community buzz. Can't wait to go back!
Powered by Nature’s Sunshine & La Sportiva
Nature’s Sunshine, named as a title sponsor for the 2025–2027 seasons, enhanced athlete experiences on-site with nutrition support, interactive giveaways, and energizing products like Power Beets and Brain Edge.
La Sportiva brought top-tier gear activations—shoe demos, expert tips, and giveaways—reinforcing the trail-smashing spirit and equipping runners for tough alpine terrain.
Together, these co-sponsors elevated the race-day experience—fueling runners, spotlighting elite gear, and amplifying the mountain-moment energy across two distinct landscapes.
What’s Next?
Two iconic peaks down, and the momentum is sky-high. The pressure’s on for subsequent races—will the early leaders stay ahead? Will more runners chase festival vibes as the series moves west?
One thing’s certain: with Nature’s Sunshine and La Sportiva in the mix, the 2025 Cirque Series isn’t just about the run—it’s about the full summit-to-finish, earth-first experience.
Ready for More?
Stay tuned for the next race recaps and follow along at @cirqueseries.
PHOTO CREDIT: @ameliakatephoto @joevigerphoto @klasakphoto
