General Info
Precautions: The weather on the mountain can be extremely dangerous, even in June. Plan to send warm clothing to the top (mittens, hats, winter jackets). BE PREPARED! It can be very cold at the top and during the sections above the tree line. You may wish to carry extra clothing with you when you run. There will be a weather update, including summit temperature and wind chill, posted on site prior to the race (also listen for P.A. broadcasts). BRING EXTRA CLOTHES.
- Heet Sheets: We will again have "Heet Sheets" for those who want them upon finishing. These mylar wraps can assist you in staying warm until you get to your dry clothing. Please do your best to take these down with you. Please do not leave them anywhere on the summit. We all need to respect the alpine environment on top of Mt. Washington, so do not litter. Because the summit weather is often difficult for runners and volunteers alike, we do not collect the ChampionChips at the top. Instead, your timing chip (black rentals) should be turned in at the event tent back at the bottom. There will be a designated area with a large sign saying CHIP RETURN. If you don't plan to return to the tent, be sure to arrange to have another runner or friend return it for you before the end of the awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Remember that unreturned chips will be charged to your credit card ($35.00).
- Major Changes At The Summit: The Mount Washington State Park is a 59 acre NH State Park at the summit. We must abide by their regulations. Since 2005, there have been strict occupancy limits at the Sherman Adams Building where we had traditionally gathered in large numbers. Please read and follow the instructions in the following paragraph.
In addition to the race participants and support drivers, the building must support hikers and Cog Railway passengers. With a limit of 250, our 1000+ people cannot all be accommodated on race day. Also, no bags of runner's clothing may be left inside the building unattended. When the limit of 250 is reached, park staff will only allow people to enter as others leave. Race staff will be encouraging those inside the building to keep their stay as brief as possible so that others may have a chance. We will provide portable toilets, a water stop, mylar "space blankets", and a medical team at the finish so that a trip inside should not be required. These changes will require all to plan ahead and be ready to retrieve their clothing and supplies (upon finishing) from their support drivers. On especially cold days, you may need to use the heater in your vehicles for added warmth.
The Course: The Mt. Washington Auto Road is 7.6 miles in length, has an average grade of 11.5% with extended sections of 18%, and the last 50 yards is a 22% "wall" to the finish. There are mile posts along the course, but these posts represent mileage from the Auto Road office across Route 16 . Mile one is thus actually 0.9 mi. from the start. And mile posts 2 - 7 are thus 1.9 - 6.9 miles. From milepost 7 to the finish is 0.7 mi. There will be a digital clock at the exact halfway point of the race (3.8 mi.). The course rises 4650 vertical feet from start to finish. Relax, there's Only One Hill!
Time Limit: Official timing ends at three hours and two minutes (3:02) into the race. Please do not enter if unable to complete the course in that time, without assistance. After 1:02 PM (3 hours and 2 minutes) all timing will stop and any runners still on the course will be asked to accept a ride down.
Baby Strollers: Absolutely no baby strollers of any kind will be allowed on the course.
Age Limit: The minimum age on race day for any runner, is 14 years.
Facilities: Portable toilets at the base and summit. No changing or showers. Please come ready to run. Please do not use facilities in the stage office on the east side of Rte. 16. Please do not bring dogs to the race. Thank you.
The Start: 10:00 A.M. at the base of the Auto Road in Pinkham Notch on Rte. 16 between Jackson and Gorham, NH. Arrive early!
Traffic: Runners will encounter vehicles on the course and thus should be careful. Though the road is closed at the bottom from 9:30 until 12:30, there may already be cars on the road when the cannon fires. Also, Auto Road Stages, which serve as mobile communication links, will be traveling up and down during the race. Traffic near the top will be especially heavy once cars full of runners begin descending after noon. Runners who take more than 2:15 to finish will encounter a lot of traffic near the top. Drivers should exercise extreme caution at all times. Remember, please carpool to minimize unnecessary traffic.
Parking: When you arrive, please cooperate with the parking staff. If your vehicle will be going to the summit, you will get in line at the Tollhouse once ready to go up. Your vehicle may go up the road if you have at least two runner's AUTO PASSES (a tear-off tab on the race bib number) - you will pay the Tollhouse fees of $20.00 for driver/vehicle and $7.00 per additional passenger. Vehicle restrictions will apply. If your vehicle driver does not have at least two runner's AUTO PASSES he/she will not be allowed to drive to the summit - REMEMBER to give your driver your pass. If you have three auto passes then you do not have to pay the toll. Your vehicle must also have space for the 3 runners without exceeding weight limits.
Water/Aid Stations: Shaklee Performance drinks at half way! Polar Water will be provided along the course, at the base tent, and at the Summit House. Note, there is only one water stop (at about 6 miles) between the half way stop and the finish stop due to the difficulty of transporting all that water up the mountain. So, drink well at the half way stop! The Medical Team is in communication with the aid stations via the Auto Road Stages which will check for problems, so stop if in need of assistance. Shaklee Performance drink will also be available in the base tent.
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Refreshments: Refreshments will be served at the base tent after the race. You will receive a ticket at check-in (tear-off portion on your race number).
Don't lose it. If you would like some beer, you should have a picture I.D. if you look young enough for us to ask (must be 21). We will have a great pasta meal with fixin's prepared by the Thompson House Eatery in Jackson. Anyone wishing to purchase refreshments at the summit should bring money for that purpose, but don't assume you'll be getting into the building. Refreshments will also be sold by the White Mountain Milers running club in the base tent.
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Massage: Post race massage will again be provided by
The New Hampshire AMTA Sports Massage Team.
A small fee of $10 will be requested for a 15 minute massage.
Your Race Photo: SportStop Photography is the official photographer for the race. Your photos will be available on the web for viewing after the race. A link will be provided after the race. Remember to smile when you see the sign "Photographer Ahead"!
Post-Race: Many runners drop by and everyone is welcome to mingle in the lounge at Eagle Mountain House in Jackson on Saturday evening. The race video will play continuously in the hotel lobby.
CHAMPIONCHIP® : Your finish time will be determined with a ChampionChip® Timing System. If you own your own ChampionChip® and noted the code when you registered, you may use it. 
You may also purchase a commemorative Mt. Washington Road Race ChampionChip® at signup. Otherwise a black rental chip will be provided for your use and return. If you are not a chip owner (yellow chip) and fail to return the black rental chip (at the tent at the bottom of the mountain) after the race, your credit card will automatically be assessed $35. The black rental chip cannot be reused by you, so please don't fail to return it on race day. Be sure that the ChampionChip is securely affixed to the laces of your running shoe during the race so that we can get your finish time. And, don't carry the chip or place it anywhere above your ankle as it won't work. NO CHIP - NO TIME!!
Teams: No "pick-up" teams please. RRCA or USATF clubs, established clubs, school teams, or business teams only. Score is by total time. Men's teams score 5 while women's teams score 3. Five open teams, three masters teams, and two seniors teams (men and women) will receive awards. The individuals who score for these 18 teams, may bypass next year's lottery. Masters (40+) and Seniors (50+) runners automatically "score down" too. Each individual member must register for the team competition by including the team name when signing up for the race. No team lists will be accepted. Team rosters will be posted. All changes must be completed by 9:00 P.M. on the eve of the race at Eagle Mountain House.
Attention Commercial Photographers - Commercial Photography on the Mt. Washington Auto Road and at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center is strictly prohibited unless advance permission has been granted. Please apply at the Stage Office located in the Mt. Washington Auto Road/Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center across from the Auto Road entrance. This applies to all activities and events taking place on the property. Violators will be prosecuted.
Race Direction: Granite State Race Services, Bob Teschek, (603) 863-2537 e-mail: racetime@gsrs.com, P.O. Box 990, Newport, NH 03773
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR RUNNING. SEE YOU ON THE HILL!
