The First Annual Silver Heist 5K & Little Bandits Bolt

🚨 PRICE INCREASE APRIL 1st!

🎉 We'll see you on April 26th, 2025 in Orwell Vermont!

Endorsed by NE65Plus.org – Supporting healthy, active lifestyles for all ages!

🏃‍♂️ Silver Heist 5K

A historic town, a daring heist, and a race for silver—lace up and step into the Silver Heist 5K! Orwell, Vermont, was chartered in 1763 and has a rich history filled with resilience and community spirit. Among its earliest settlers was Deacon Ebenezer (Eber) Murray, who arrived in 1783. Known as the only man in town with a clock, Eber would blow a conch shell at 9 p.m. every evening to signal the time for evening prayers. In tribute to this tradition, the Silver Heist 5K will begin with the blast of a conch shell, just as Eber once did.

• Historical Context: Orwell was chartered in 1763.
• Conch Signal: Race starts with the blast of a conch shell.
• Local Legend: Eber Murray's unique timekeeping tradition.
• Thrilling Past: Celebrate the town's historical resilience.

Our town is no stranger to bandit heists. In October 1862, just before the town fair, outlaws swept through Orwell, robbing several homes. Among those affected was Marcellus Royce, who lost $30 in silver to the thieves. The following year, in 1863, the First National Bank of Orwell was chartered. Remarkably, this institution has remained in the same family for five generations, standing as a pillar of the community.

Decades after the town’s first brush with crime, bandits returned—this time setting their sights on the bank itself. In 1902, they attempted to dynamite the safe but failed. However, they did manage to steal safety deposit boxes, among them a ring belonging to Mrs. Myrtie P. Brooks. After fleeing town, the thieves camped at the county line, leaving behind the scattered contents of their stolen loot. It was Mabel Young (né Wells), the grandmother of the current bank manager, who identified the stolen ring.

• Robbery Incident: Outlaws swept through Orwell in 1862.
• Bank Establishment: First National Bank was chartered in 1863.
• Historical Heist: Attempted dynamite robbery in 1902.
• Unique Identification: Mabel Young is linked to the ring identification.

To honor Orwell's storied past, participants will collect a wooden token resembling Mrs. Myrtie P. Brooks' ring at the bandits' camp, located at the race's halfway point before dashing down scenic North Orwell Road. The race will finish at the town green, where runners will be greeted by cheers from friends, family, and local history enthusiasts.

• Token Collection: Wooden token at the race's halfway point.
• Scenic Route: Finish at the town green.
• Community Support: Cheers from local history enthusiasts.
• Prize: Winner receives $30 worth of silver.

The winner will claim $30 worth of silver—the very same amount stolen from Marcellus Royce in 1862! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or prefer a leisurely walk, the Silver Heist 5K welcomes participants of all paces. Step into history, embrace the thrill of the chase, and Race Through History, Dash for Silver!

Thanks to Stewart’s Shops, every participant will enjoy a free scoop of ice cream or sherbet at the finish—just show your wooden ring! In tribute to Orwell’s legendary silver heists, every finisher will also receive a grain of silver as a unique keepsake. Plus, all in-person participants will take home a custom Silver Heist 5K T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Don’t miss these exclusive race-day rewards!

👶 Little Bandits Bolt

For the youngest racers, the Little Bandits Bolt offers a pint-sized thrill! Kids will dash across the soccer field at Orwell Village School (OVS), sharing in the spirit of the Silver Heist as they race their way into local history. Every participant will receive a custom Silver Heist 5K T-shirt, a finisher’s medal, a free scoop of Stewart’s Shops ice cream or sherbet, and one grain of silver at the finish line—a special memento of the event’s historic theme.

• Event Location: Soccer field at Orwell Village School.
• Participation Gifts: T-shirt, medal, ice cream, and grain of silver.
• Historical Connection: Kids race in honor of local history.
• Pint-Sized Excitement: Fun for young racers!

🌐 Virtual Race Options

🏃‍♀️ Silver Heist 5K (The Virtual Getaway Edition)

Step into history and race through a legendary heist—wherever you are! Inspired by Orwell’s real-life silver thefts, the Virtual Getaway Edition lets you channel the spirit of the 1902 heist from your own hometown. Run through your neighborhood, a favorite park, or even a scenic trail, imagining the bandits’ escape as they fled with stolen silver and treasures. Cross the finish line, claim your prize, and become part of history!

• Finisher Medal: Every participant receives a shiny medal.
• Historical Memento: One grain of silver as a memory.
• T-Shirt Option: Optional exclusive event T-shirt for $15.
• Registration Cost: Only $17 with free shipping in the USA.

The virtual race is open until April 25, 2025, with all medals, T-shirts, and grains of silver shipping the first week of May 2025. Don’t let this daring getaway slip away—register today and race through history from anywhere!

👦 Little Bandits Bolt (The Virtual Getaway Edition)

Calling all little bandits! The Little Bandits Bolt (The Virtual Getaway Edition) is the perfect adventure for young racers to join in the excitement of Orwell’s legendary silver heists. This virtual race gives kids the chance to race anywhere they like—around their neighborhood, through the park, or even in the backyard. It's a fun and safe way for them to experience the thrill of history while imagining themselves as clever outlaws, just like the bandits from 1902.

• Participation Gift: Shiny finisher’s medal for all young racers.
• Memory Token: One grain of silver as a memento.
• Registration Fee: Just $15 with free medal shipping (USA only).
• T-Shirt Option: Add a fun event T-shirt for $15.

The virtual race is open until April 25, 2025, and all medals, T-shirts, and grains of silver will be shipped the first week of May 2025. Whether they race today or take their time making their getaway, their treasure will arrive in May—adding even more excitement to their bandit adventure!

For more details and to register, visit the official race page: Silver Heist 5K.