Official race information can be found by contacting the named race.

WARNING!

The surgeon general has found running up mountains may cause excessive euphoria and prolong your life. However, it can also be dangerous! Some of the information found on these pages is based only on my opinions and personal experiences. Some links may take you to the opinions and personal experiences of others.
Only you can decide what is best for you!
 


Barr Trail Mountain Race

Barr Trail Mountain Race The Barr Trail Mountain Race is run on the lower half of Pikes Peak to Barr Camp and back. In addition to offering a competitive race, the event is within the reach of those who might be new to the sport. Further, the timing of the race makes it the perfect tune-up for the ascent and marathon held two months later on Pikes Peak.

The start is on Ruxton Avenue by the COG railway depot at an elevation of 6,570'. The race will proceed 6 miles up the Barr Trail gaining 3,630' where it will turn around at Barr Camp at 10,200'. Runners will then head back down the Barr Trail to Hydro Street with the finish being near the Barr Trail trail-head parking lot for a total of 12 miles. The cut-off for the race is 3 hours and 30 minutes. There will be 9 aid stations located at the start/finish, 1.5/10.5 mile, 2.75/9.25 mile, 4/8 mile, and the 6 mile point turn-around point at Barr Camp.


Mount Washington Road Race

Mt Washington Road Race Logo Mt Washington Road Sign The “Beast from the East” has also been a stomping ground of mine. The “Race to the Clouds” starts at 1,638' and rises 4,650' to the highest peak in the Northeast at 6,288' above sea level. The road surfaces is alternately asphalt 60% and dirt 40%, winding 7.6 miles up at an average gradient of 11.5%.

The race takes place on the third Saturday in June. To get into the lottery your entry must be received by March 15 of that year. To get an entry [it‘s not the 90s anymore - just go online!] send a S.A.S.E. to: Mount Washington Road Race, Granite State Race Services, P.O. Box 990, Newport, NH 03773-0990. Because there are only 1000 spots available — with most of them given away in the lottery — it can be pretty hard to get into this race! There is a lottery bypass if you: Mt Washington Wind Sign

  • are a former M or F open winner of the race
  • hold an age group record in the race*
  • won an award in last year‘s race*
  • have a continuous streak of official finishes since 1984*
  • are an elite runner who can contend for a top spot. Enclose a list of notable performances. Those not chosen go in the lottery.
  • were rejected the last two years*
  • cancelled last year before June*
*Still must enter by March 15 and have “Lottery Bypass” on the outside of the envelope.

Here is the Mt. Washington Road Race home page with just about everything you would want or need to know about the race.

Mt Washington Road Race Logo The Mt. Washington Observatory home page has lots of info not related to the race. It also has some neat photos as well as a live stream from the summit. They also have several webcams in the Mt. Washington area.


Skyrunning – Where sport becomes survival...

Italian Research Pyramid Although I have done about a dozen SkyMarathons, none stand out in my mind like the Fila Tibet TopMarathon. From September 4 through October 5, 1995, I was in Nepal and Tibet to participate in the World‘s Highest Marathon held at a constant elevation of 17,060 feet (5,200 meters)! When I did simular races in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1998 there were held at only 14,350 feet. Sure the races are insane and the plane trips can get scary, but the trip is a once in a lifetime experience! Well, if you win, more than once;-)

Stories:
1993 Skyrunning in Tibet - my 10/07/1993 race
1995 Fila Tibet TopMarathon - Getting to the race
1996 Fila SkyMarathon Tibet - A transcript of the 1996 video below
1998 Everest SkyMarathon Diary - Write-up on the official world record

Videos:
1993 Tibet Everest SkyMarathon
1994 Tibet Everest SkyMarathon
1996 Tibet Everest SkyMarathon
1998 Tibet Everest SkyMarathon
1998 Aspen Taylor Peak SkyMarathon


Vail Hill Climb

Vail mountain as viewed from Red Sandstone Road on the way to Piney Lake
Another favorite mountain of mine is Vail mountain, home of the Vail Hill Climb! It gains 2,000 feet in 7.5 miles. Here are live webcams on Vail mountain.

The fine people at Vail moved the race start in 1995. I guess that is one way for them to get a new course record:-)


More photos...

Click here for more photos Click me for more photos...

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