New England’s Oldest Mountain Running Race is Not Cancelled (Yet)

Press release from the 60th Northeast Delta Dental Mount Washington Road Race. This historic 7.6 mile uphill only race climbs 4,650 feet to the wind-swept summit.

As the entire globe struggles with the Covid-19 pandemic, race organizers at the Mount Washington Auto Road are working out contingency plans for a possible postponement of the June 20th race. The primary focus of race organizers is the safety of all people involved with the running of this historic race. Therefore, if due to public health reasons the 6oth running of the Northeast Delta Dental Mount Washington Road Race needs to be delayed, the new date will be Saturday, August 22nd at 9am. Race organizers will make a decision on postponement by May 20th.

If the race is postponed, registered runners will have the options of either running the race as rescheduled, transferring their registration to another runner, or withdrawing from the race (receiving a refund if another runner registers from the waitlist.) There will be a first come first serve waitlist, if and when the race is postponed. Non-selected runners from this year’s random selection process will be notified by email on how to join the waiting list. Runners can also find up to date information on the race Facebook page or on the race website. If the decision is made to postpone the race, the waitlist will open soon after.

Sponsored by Northeast Delta Dental, the race ascends the Mt. Washington Auto Road from Pinkham Notch, N.H., to the 6288-foot summit of Mt. Washington. In addition to the unrelenting grade, runners face the added challenge of Mt. Washington’s famously high winds, precipitation, and unpredictable temperatures. Prizes include $1000 apiece for the first male and female finishers, smaller cash prizes for the next five men and women and the top three male and female masters (over 40), prizes for the first male and female finishers from New Hampshire, and a $5000 bonus for setting a new course record.

Editor’s Note: Be safe as we continue to navigate the uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to follow the recommendations and updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including proper hygiene practices. Also consider reading iRunFar’s COVID-19: A Trail Running and Ultrarunning Community Guide.

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