The 52nd Northeast Delta Dental Mount Washington Road Race is tomorrow, June 16, 2012. We’ve been primary sponsor of this prestigious race since 2001 and are now title sponsor of this premier running event in New Hampshire. Starting time this year for the 1,200 runners will be 9:00 am again. It’s all uphill at an average 12 percent grade, with the final 70 yards to the finish line at a challenging 22 percent grade. The twisting wind-swept road offers unpredictable weather which can change dramatically as you ascend 4,650 feet to the 6,288 foot summit, the highest peak in the northeastern United States.
Of note, this Run to the Clouds is the sole selection event for this year’s United States men’s national Mountain Running team. There promises to be some extraordinary competition as the first six male US citizens who finish tomorrow’s race will be named to the national team that will compete in the world championships on September 2, 2012 in Ponte de Legno, Italy.
I’ll be running up the “Only One Hill” for my third time. My first year I clocked 1:52:12 for the 7.6 mile race to the summit, and last year my results improved to 1:50:51 which placed me at 373 out of 654 who finished the race (official timing stops after three hours). Just for comparison, the top runners will make it to the summit in an hour’s time. It’s difficult to predict how I’ll do this year, but suffice to say, I’ll be striving for a new personal best.
I’m happy to announce that half of the net proceeds of this year’s Northeast Delta Dental Mount Washington Road Race will be contributed to the Coos County Family Health Services in nearby Berlin, NH. This community-based organization provides personalized, comprehensive health and dental care and social services to everyone, regardless of economic status.
To all the Dads out there, Happy Father’s Day!
“Running” up Mt Washington under duress
