A Vermont Tradition: Getting Outside with the Kingdom Games

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

Vermont has produced its share of world-class athletes over the years – including Elle Purrier St. Pierre, Ilona Maher, and Ryan Cochran-Siegle – and I have no doubt there are many more to come.

But for all of us not destined for the Olympics, Vermont is still a wonderful place to stay active and get outside, regardless of the weather.

In the Northeast Kingdom, people are doing just that with the help of Kingdom Games. Started in 2007, Kingdom Games was founded by community member Phil White to help raise money for the local recreation center. Today, Kingdom Games organizes over 50 days of running, biking, open water swimming events – on beautiful, warm summer days and on cold, cloudy days in the icy waters of Lake Memphremagog – in one of the most beautiful corners of our state.

While Kingdom Games’ events draw some of the very best endurance athletes from all over the country to our beloved Northeast Kingdom, they also offer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to run, swim and bike. Kingdom Games is all about getting people outside, creating a friendly community of athletes and simply having fun. And even if you don’t want to do the 25-mile international swim “In Search of Memphre” – the friendly local lake monster – or Kingdom Games’ many other offerings, you can still be involved. The Games would not be possible without dedicated volunteers, and they can always use more.

My team sat down with founder Phil White to learn more about the Kingdom Games’ origins, and how they are working hard today to bring joy and community to skilled and recreational cyclists, runners, swimmers and volunteers alike. I hope you will take a look at what the Kingdom Games are all about, and that you will take time this week to get outside and find some joy in our state’s great outdoors.

Sincerely,