Race the Cog

Race The Cog

Race The Cog takes place on June 20, 2026, at the Mount Washington Cog Railway in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. There are two course options:

• 2.75 miles (Summit Climb)
• 5.5 miles (Devil's Shingle Roundtripper)

The Summit Climb entry includes a Cog train ride back to the base station after finishing. The Roundtripper option requires runners to return on foot from the summit to the start.

Course and logistics

The course follows the path alongside the Cog Railway tracks from the base station to the summit of Mount Washington. The surface starts on dirt and gravel, becomes steeper approaching Jacobs Ladder (about a 37% grade), and crosses large boulder fields in the Presidential Range. Total elevation gain is about 3,500 feet and maximum elevation is listed near 6,266 feet. Reported time limits are 3.5 hours for the Summit Climb and 6 hours for the Roundtripper.

Aid is available at Waumbek (0.9 miles) and at the summit (2.75 miles). The event is cupless; participants must bring their own hydration system. Recommended gear includes fluids, calories, a windbreaker or rain shell, and an emergency blanket. Crew and pacers are not allowed. No entry qualifications are required. Recorded course-best times include 39:14 (male) and 50:04 (female) for the Summit Climb, and 1:10:33 (male) and 1:17:57 (female) for the Roundtripper. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.