Here’s the timeline for the Mount Washington Road Race
January 4
Invitational registration period opens.
February 15
Lottery open: All race applicants must register between February 15 and March 15, 11:59 pm EST each year.
March 17
Lottery winners announced.
As a reminder: There is no waiting list!
Between March 18 and May 31
How to Withdraw: Every year dozens of entrants are felled before race day with the unexpected. We only get about 900 finishers, however this is all we can handle, so we have accounted for these “no shows” already. So, please don’t call and ask if you can switch with a friend if you decide not to run. Numbers are NOT transferable. If someone else runs with your number, they will be disqualified and you both will be banned from the race in the future. Several have been caught doing this (the video is seen after the race, and faces that don’t match the printed results are noted). This also violates USATF rules and causes errors in the results.
After May 31
If you drop out after May 31, there is no need to notify us. You will simply be a “no show”. If you want your race shirt(s), see procedures below in T-SHIRT PICKUP section.
If you need to cancel please send an email to mary@mt-washington.com.
Unregistered Runners: Absolutely NO unregistered runners are allowed! There has been excellent cooperation in past years. Very few try to run unofficially. Please do whatever you can to discourage others from doing this to prevent overcrowding and delayed results. And please don’t allow someone else to use your number (see above). Remember, anyone who finishes is recorded on video tape. Violators will be refused entry to future Mount Washington races. Unofficials are a threat to the future of the race and are not welcome.
Before Friday of Race Weekend
Race Preparation – Please Read Carefully: This race is different from the average road race. You will need to read and follow directions to avoid race-day problems. Share this information with your driver, too!
Pre-Arrange Your Ride Down Before Race Day: All participants will be expected to arrange (prior to race day) their own rides back down the mountain. We have a racers Forum to help you match drivers and runners prior to your trip to the event. However, your best bet will be to connect with others that you know who are running and to plan this together. You do NOT want to arrive at the top and not have someone there to meet you. You need to have quick access to your warm clothes and supplies and the vehicle for your return trip. Because of the changes at the summit made in 2005, you cannot leave this vital detail for race day.
1. Arranging a Ride Down:
Important note for any vehicle: Auto Road Passes are needed at the Tollhouse for passage to the summit. Auto Road Passes are attached to the bottom of your race number.
Remember that your ride down from the top is your own responsibility. There are more runners needing rides down than drivers looking for riders. Remember, drivers need at least 3 runner’s Auto Passes (attached to the bottom of your race number) and an empty car to go up free. See below for more details. As stated clearly in the registration information, race day is too late to be arranging your rides down. It is not safe to run without having this crucial detail already worked out, and runners asking race officials for assistance with their ride down may be forced to sit the race out!
- 0 or 1 Auto Pass – no passage on the Auto Road
- 2 Auto Road Passes with or without passengers – Toll fees apply
- 3 or more Auto Passes and an empty vehicle – Free passage- no fees
- Please remember to give your driver your Auto Road Pass
- Vehicle Restrictions apply see below:
2. Drivers Information:
The first cars up the road get the best parking slots in the summit parking lots. They also avoid the rush of cars leaving for the top after 8:00 a.m. Drivers it is strongly recommended that you arrive early and get your runners ready so that you, the support vehicle can leave for the top before 8:00 a.m. Runners will need to provide you with their warm clothing bags and their Auto Passes to proceed (attached to the bottom of the race number). Cars can start up by 6:30, so plan on arriving early. At 8:30, the gate closes and no cars can go up until after the race.
Be sure you have at least 3 of the auto passes and NO passengers in order to be allowed free passage on the Auto Road. This is a problem every year as drivers with plenty of passes try to go through the Tollhouse with passengers. Even if you have a van with seating for 9, you must have no passengers. Sorry, but these are the rules of the Auto Road and are necessary to prevent abuse of the free passage. If you do not follow these rules exactly, the Free Passage becomes useless and your vehicle will be charged at the regular rate of $25 per car and $8 per adult passenger and $6 per child (age 5-12). Since the driver is not an entrant in the race, it is your responsibility to notify the driver of these rules.
Vehicle Limitations/weight restrictions will apply. Jaguar, Saturn and Sterling autos with automatic transmissions must show a “1″ or “L” or “S” on the shifter to be allowed on the Auto Road. Transmissions showing an “S” must demonstrate that this shifter will allow the transmission to be locked into 1st gear. Model year 2009 and earlier Honda and Acura vehicles must meet the same requirements as described above. Model year 2010 Honda and Acura vehicles are all allowed regardless of transmission type.
• Maximum wheelbase on any vehicle: 161 inches (This excludes most club cab pickups and limousines).
• Maximum width on any vehicle: 80 inches including mirrors.
• No Hummers, except H-3.
• No trailers, RV’s, campers or oversized vans converted to RV’s.
• No mopeds or scooters.
• No dual wheeled vehicles.
• No pickups with permanent additions that extend wider than the cab (campers, rack bodies, or very wide mirrors).
• Some former police cars and taxis have the 1st gear locked out and cannot be allowed on the road.
• No Lincoln Continentals 1969 or earlier.
• No bicycles.
Weight Limits:
These are approximate numbers used as guidelines. Weights (in pounds) include passengers and luggage:
• Full size car or wagon: 900
• Mid sized car & compact cars: 900
• Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager prior to 1996: 600
• Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager 1996 and newer: 900
• All other mini-vans: 900
• 3/4 or 1/2 ton van, pickup or SUV: 900
• One-ton van or pickup: 1050
3. Runners – know your drivers/ Drivers know your runners:
It is more important than ever, due to recent summit changes , that each runner know who is going to meet them at the top and what they (and their car) look like. Note the license plate too. Most important though is that the driver, dressed appropriately for any weather, has your bags of clothing nearby when you finish. Drivers, please make a list of who you are looking for – their names and race numbers – so you can find them as they finish. We can make some announcements when runners finish and cannot find their driver or bags, but this should be the exception please. It is strongly recommended that each driver care for his passengers by looking for them and keeping their clothing close at hand. If the weather is good at the top and you all agree in advance to just go to the car for your warm clothing, that’s fine, but locating the car can be a challenge, so the driver needs to assist with this.
Summit Map: Check out the Summit Map on the web site. This rendering was provided by Michael Ronan Graphics and shows the layout of the parking lots, summit bldg., portable toilets, there is no Bag drop area, this is now for EMT’S, etc. Use this when discussing meeting places with your driver, etc., and remember that the Sherman Adams summit building is not a guaranteed place to meet as it will be closely monitored for overcrowding. If you do use the building, please get in and back out again quickly so that your fellow runners may also use it. Thanks.
Race Weekend
Check-In: Number pick up (plus T-shirts, auto & refreshment passes) must be done prior to 8:00 AM on race day. Each runner must pick up his/her own number, etc. We will not give them out to anyone else. PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED – NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are in the area on Friday please check in then, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Race day check-in is from 6:30 to 8:00 AM in the large tent at the mountain. Be sure to allow plenty of time for travel (about 3 ½ hours from Boston) and to get your driver into line before 8:00.
T-Shirt Pickup: An official wicking tech shirt will be included in your race packet. You may also wish to order souvenir shirts and caps, details of which will be made available during registration for the lottery.
Your race T-shirt (and the souvenir shirts and caps, if ordered) must be picked up at check-in on Friday or Saturday (prior to 8:00 AM). If you decide after May 31 not to come to the race, you may send a friend with a note (include your name, date of birth, and signature) giving him or her permission to pick up your shirt(s). Sorry, but we do not mail these shirts out. Unclaimed shirts are sold at the race.
Numbers: Your race number contains your timing device. A ChronoTrack B-Tag device will be placed on each number, so it is important that you wear your number correctly or you may not receive a time. Do not fold or bend the number. Wear it on the outside so that it is fully visible at all times (do not wear it underneath other layers of clothing). Pin all 4 corners of the number to your front. A photographer along the route will also need to see your number, and race officials must see your number clearly as you approach and cross the finish line. Runners with no number clearly showing will be removed from the course.
The small tabs on the bottom of your number are your auto and refreshment passes.