NEWPORT — This year’s Harry Corrow Freedom Run, an integral part of Newport’s annual Fourth of July celebration, remained true to its cherished traditions, while embodying the spirit of freedom and unity. Close to 80 participants embarked on the varied distances of 2 miles, 5 km, 10 km, and 10 miles, traversing diverse terrains from Prouty Beach through Bluffside Farm, up the Beebe Spur Bike Path, and into Memphremagog Trails for a further 3.5 miles.

The annual event celebrates freedom in its many forms – freedom from tyranny, freedom from asphalt, freedom to choose your race distance, freedom of spirit, and even the freedom to get lost deep in the Primeau Woods – all while honoring the memory of the late Harry Corrow, a beloved Rec Department Director.

Brittany DeVries, 35, of Rockville, MD, won the 10-mile race outright, clocking in at 1 hour, 17 minutes and 28 seconds. DeVries, alongside Paul Stavish, 38, of Winooski, VT, who clinched victory among the men with a time of 1 hour, 17 minutes and 39 seconds, both received half a pound of Brault’s Beef Jerky and a quart of Couture’s Maple Syrup for their outstanding efforts.

The Freedom Run saw robust family participation this year, with Robert Johnstone, 78, of Naples, FL, his daughter and five grandchildren claiming the prize for the largest participating family. Johnstone, also the “Most Mature” participant, won a couple of Howard Frank Mosher books. His grandson, Hudson Casto, 15, and daughter, Emily Casto, 42, both of Naples, FL, were the outright winners of the 10 km run, each with a time of 45:03.

Each year, the run recognizes the ‘Last One Back to the Barn’, a nod to the Northeast Kingdom’s tradition of gritty determination. This year, Tayler Fernandes Nunez, 26, of Ithaca, NY and Boston, MA took home this honor with a time of 2 hours, 57 minutes, and 27 seconds.

The Harry Corrow Freedom Run’s distinguishing feature is the Memphremagog Trails section, where runners enjoy the freedom to get lost, emphasizing the unique character of this run. Despite frequent disorientation among 10-mile runners, participants unanimously champion the continuation of this wooded section each year.

In 2024, organizers will introduce a full half marathon (13.1 miles) to the current slate of distances, retaining the ever-popular woodland trail.

In a poignant tribute to its namesake, Harry Corrow, the Freedom Run raised $350 this year for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Vermont.

Corrow, whose memory continues to inspire the community, suffered from unbearable depression and tragically died by suicide.

NEWPORT, VT – This year’s Harry Corrow Freedom Run, an integral part of Newport’s annual Fourth of July celebration, remained true to its cherished traditions, while embodying the spirit of freedom and unity. Close to 80 participants embarked on the varied distances of 2 miles, 5 km, 10 km, and 10 miles, traversing diverse terrains from Prouty Beach through Bluffside Farm, up the Beebe Spur Bike Path, and into Memphremagog Trails for a further 3.5 miles.

The annual event celebrates freedom in its many forms – freedom from tyranny, freedom from asphalt, freedom to choose your race distance, freedom of spirit, and even the freedom to get lost deep in the Primeau Woods – all while honoring the memory of the late Harry Corrow, a beloved Rec Department Director.

Brittany DeVries, 35, of Rockville, MD, won the 10-mile race outright, clocking in at 1 hour, 17 minutes and 28 seconds. DeVries, alongside Paul Stavish, 38, of Winooski, VT, who clinched victory among the men with a time of 1 hour, 17 minutes and 39 seconds, both received half a pound of Brault’s Beef Jerky and a quart of Couture’s Maple Syrup for their outstanding efforts.

The Freedom Run saw robust family participation this year, with Robert Johnstone, 78, of Naples, FL, his daughter and five grandchildren claiming the prize for the largest participating family. Johnstone, also the “Most Mature” participant, won a couple of Howard Frank Mosher books. His grandson, Hudson Casto, 15, and daughter, Emily Casto, 42, both of Naples, FL, were the outright winners of the 10 km run, each with a time of 45:03.

Each year, the run recognizes the ‘Last One Back to the Barn’, a nod to the Northeast Kingdom’s tradition of gritty determination. This year, Tayler Fernandes Nunez, 26, of Ithaca, NY and Boston, MA took home this honor with a time of 2 hours, 57 minutes, and 27 seconds.

The Harry Corrow Freedom Run’s distinguishing feature is the Memphremagog Trails section, where runners enjoy the freedom to get lost, emphasizing the unique character of this run. Despite frequent disorientation among 10-mile runners, participants unanimously champion the continuation of this wooded section each year.

In 2024, organizers will introduce a full half marathon (13.1 miles) to the current slate of distances, retaining the ever-popular woodland trail.

In a poignant tribute to its namesake, Harry Corrow, the Freedom Run raised $350 this year for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Vermont. Corrow, whose memory continues to inspire the community, suffered from unbearable depression and tragically died by suicide.

This beloved event is a testament to Vermont’s dual values: Freedom AND Unity. The Freedom Run not only fights against tyranny but also champions unity over anarchy. Participants rallied behind Ukraine in its ongoing battle against tyranny, underscoring the event’s universal message of freedom and unity. The communal spirit displayed promises a strong return in next year’s edition.