Race the Cog
Mount Washington, United States • 27 Jun 2026
Race The Cog : event details
Race The Cog is scheduled for June 27, 2026, at the Mount Washington Cog Railway base in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. The event offers two course options:
- 2.75 Miles (Summit Climb)
- 5.5 Miles (Devil's Shingle Roundtripper)
Participants race on a path that runs alongside the Cog Railway tracks to the summit of Mount Washington. The Summit Climb finishes on the mountain summit alongside the Cog; the Devil's Shingle option continues back down to the start after reaching the summit.
Course, logistics and safety
The course begins on dirt and gravel and becomes steeper approaching Jacobs Ladder, which is about a 37% grade. Above Jacobs Ladder runners encounter large boulder fields in the Presidential Range. Total elevation gain is about 3,500 feet and maximum elevation is listed near 6,266 feet. Time limits are given as 3.5 hours for the Summit Climb and 6 hours for the roundtrip option.
Aid stations are listed at the start, Waumbek (0.9 miles), and summit checkpoint/finish points. No crew or pacers are allowed on course; spectators may ride the Cog Railway. Organizers recommend carrying fluids, calories, a windbreaker or rain shell, and an emergency foil blanket because mountain weather can change rapidly, including warm base temperatures and possible snow and high winds at the summit. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.