Go where few runners dare to go: Straight up the side of a mountain. These footraces will make your calves burn, your body drip, and your heart beat out of your chest
By: Todd Balf
Thanks to its unyielding steepness, Mount Washington is the undisputed king of mountain footraces. But there are other epic climbing days to be had across America. An average grade of eight percent is a good starting point for a five-star hill climb, but factors like altitude, distance, and diabolical spikes in steepness at the worst possible time (e.g., the end of the race) can make more moderate uphillers feel just as severe. After consulting with the dean of mountain running, Dave Dunham (and assorted other authorities), we offer the following as the country's most hurt-worthy races. (These climbs are distinguished from mountain trail races in that they're largely run on roads, dirt or paved.)
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When July 10, 2011
Where Windsor, VT
Length 3.7 miles
Altitude Gain 2,266 feet
Average Grade 12 percent
About A painful partner to Mount Washington, it's the last of the season's major hill races in New England.
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When August 6, 2011
Where Ashland, OR
Length 13.3 miles
Altitude Gain 5,600 feet
Average Grade 8 percent
About Sections are run on trails, but the paved and dirt road up to Bull Gap near the 10-mile point is too good to ignore. The average grade of the last 1.3 miles is a quad-burning 19 percent.
More Info mtashlandrun.com
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When September 5, 2011
Where Mount Baldy, CA
Length About 8 miles
Altitude Gain 4,000 feet
Average Grade 12.5 percent
About Held on Labor Day, naturally, it's also an altitude race with the start at 6,000 feet. The final mile, above treeline, is the steepest.
More Info run2top.com
When June 3, 2012
Where Wilton, NH
Length 10 miles
Altitude Gain 2,280 feet
Average Grade 4 percent
About Its overall grade is minimal, but the 1.3-mile toll road in Miller State Park averages more than 11 percent, and the punishing final climb has sections over 20 percent.
More Info packmonadnockrace.com
When June 2012
Where Wilmington, NY
Length 8 miles
Altitude Gain 3,500 feet
Average Grade 8 percent
About Dunham calls Whiteface a "medium Mount Washington" in the Adirondacks, with the summit just shy of 5,000 feet.
More Info whitefacerace.com
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When June 2012
Where Pinkham Notch, Gorham, NH
Length 7.6 miles
Altitude Gain 4,650 feet
Average Grade 12 percent
About Mother of them all.
More Info mountwashingtonroadrace.com
When June 2012
Where Idaho Springs, CO
Length 14.5 miles
Altitude Gain 3,600 feet
Average Grade 6 percent
About America's highest road race starts at 10,600 feet, and the thin air is a killer. Veterans say the five percent grade near the summit feels closer to 15 percent.
More Info racingunderground.com/mtevans
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