Race the Cog
Mount Washington, United States • 20 Jun 2026
Race The Cog - Bretton Woods, NH
Race The Cog is a mountain footrace that follows the path alongside the Mount Washington Cog Railway from the base station in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire to the summit of Mount Washington. The event offers two course options.
- 2.75 miles summit climb; includes a Cog train ticket back to the base.
- 5.5 miles Devil's Shingle Roundtripper; summit turnaround and a return run to the start.
The summit climb gains about 3,500 feet and reaches a maximum elevation near 6,266 feet. The course begins on dirt and gravel, becomes steeper approaching Jacobs Ladder (about a 37 percent grade), and continues through large boulder fields in the Presidential Range. Mountain weather varies widely on the course; temperatures can be in the 70s at the base and snowing on the summit, with potentially intense winds.
Aid stations are located at Waumbek Station (0.9 miles) and at the summit. They provide water, Tailwind, assorted sodas, snacks, and fresh fruit. The event is cupless and participants must bring their own hydration system. The summit entry includes access to the summit facilities such as the hiker pack room and the Mount Washington Observatory. No crew or pacers are allowed and there are no entry qualifications. The event is presented by Delta Dental and includes a prize offer for beating the elite wave train. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.