Despite the rain, lots of smiles at Race Through Herstory fun run

Runners come toward the finish line during Sunday’s Race Through Herstory at Fisher Meadows in Avon. More fun run photos

AVON, Sept. 13, 2026 – The steady rain didn’t deter runners racing around Fisher Meadows on Sunday morning nor the young Girl Scouts from Avon who were sponsoring the 3.1 mile race.

A few dozen runners participated in the Race Through Herstory fun run  and another dozen or so ran the one-mile run – all in the rain.

The fundraising race was sponsored the Avon Girl Scouts as part of the nation’s 250 birthday. Girls prepared signs that were posted along the course with dates of women’s achievements throughout U.S. history from 1776 to the present.

“We wanted to do a run for wellness for the girls in combination with the 250^th celebration,” said race co-director Jackie Gaul. “We wanted to do something that focused on women and show (the girls) women’s rights throughout history.”

Girls from the 20 Girl Scout troops in town chipped in to help put on the race. Some manned water tables on the course while others helped design the course.

Some Scouts worked toward earning a global badge by spreading fitness and wellbeing in the community, Gaul said.

“It was a blast. It was,” Gaul said. “We pivoted to a mud run and we had a great time. Everyone showed up. Nobody complained about the rain. Everyone’s smiling.”

Who doesn’t like splashing through puddles and running through the mud? Well, perhaps the person doing the laundry for the week.

Parents and kids approach the finish line of the one-mile fun run on Sunday at Fisher Meadows. More fun run photos

Ned Marsh of Avon was the first person across the line. There was no official timing since it was a fun run but he completed the 3.1 mile course in 22:34. Burlington’s Jackie Birge was the second person across the line and the second woman in a time of 24:40.

“The course was wet and it was a little bit muddy but it was a lot of fun,” Marsh said. “People were really motivated along the sides. All the runners were having a good time. I think everyone was really out here to celebrate women’s history. So, it was pretty amazing run.”

Birge came out to support the Girl Scouts.

“It’s a good cause. It is always a good idea to run for women’s sports, women entrepreneurship, and just the betterment of the community,” she said.

Race officials hope to hold the race again but under sunnier skies next time.

More fun run photos