Race the Cog
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Race The Cog - Mount Washington
Race The Cog is a mountain footrace held at the Mount Washington Cog Railway base station in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. The event offers two distance options:
- 2.75 miles Summit Climb, finish at the Mount Washington summit
- 5.5 miles Devil's Shingle Roundtripper, summit and return to the start
The course follows a path alongside the Cog Railway tracks. It begins on dirt and gravel and becomes steeper approaching Jacobs Ladder, a section noted at about a 37% grade. Above Jacobs Ladder runners encounter large boulder fields in the Presidential Range and finish at the summit. The listed total elevation gain is about 3,500 feet and maximum elevation near 6,266 feet. Distances may vary slightly each year due to permitting.
Mountain weather on course can change rapidly; temperatures at the base may be in the 70s while the summit can see snow and strong winds. The route is exposed in large sections and offers broad views across the Presidential Range.
Logistics and safety details include aid stations positioned near the start, at Waumbek, and at the summit or summit checkpoint; recommended gear such as 1 liter of fluids, 200 calories, a windbreaker or rain shell, and an emergency blanket; no on-course crew or pacers allowed; and the option for spectators to ride the Cog Railway or use the auto road. No qualification is required to enter. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
