Play like a local with spring and fall competitive events in Mt. Washington Valley!

For centuries, Mt. Washington Valley has lured competitors and athletes to this corner of New Hampshire for competitive events.

The rugged terrain of the White Mountains makes for a worthwhile challenge for competitive bikers, hikers, runners, and climbers. 

Mt. Washington Valley provides a battle ground between humans and the elements where competitors contend with changing weather, high elevations, and demanding routes. While all of these factors are what athletes yearn for when training for a race, the best part of what competitive events in Mt. Washington Valley offers, is community. 

Come together with local and visiting athletes alike who are testing themselves with competitive hikes, climbing festivals, half-marathons, bike races, and more. Enjoy pushing yourself to the limits and celebrating your individual achievements at post-race celebrations throughout Mt. Washington Valley. 

For more information on planning your Mt. Washington Valley vacation, sign up for our monthly newsletter! But before you do anything, first, we implore you take the MWV Pledge to promise to protect them! Sign your name and join the others who pledge to care for the White Mountain National forest to ensure it sticks around for years to come!)

• Seek the Peak is Mount Washington Observatory’s signature fundraiser event, and ultimate Mount Washington hike-a-thon. Hikers earn gear and celebrate at the Après Hike Party on Sat., July 15 with live music, food trucks, epic gear raffle, beer garden, vendors, and people who care deeply about the trails and an inclusive hiking community. It all takes place at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road. Seek the Peak is sponsored by Great Glen Trails and Eastern Mountain Sports.
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• The Adaptive Sunrise Ascent is an empowering fundraising event to benefit Adaptive Sports Partners, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building community, confidence, and skills, through sport, recreation, and adventure for people with disabilities. The event takes place before sunrise, on Sunday, July 30, 2023 where athletes and their teams will ascend the 7.6 miles of Mount Washington Auto Road, determined to reach the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington. Each team includes an athlete with a disability, and a team of crew, who support the athlete as they climb to the summit.  After the teams complete their hike to the summit, roadrunners help to transport athletes and their crew back down to the base area where a celebratory after party at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road awaits them.
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• Moat Mountain 24 Hours of Great Glen is an iconic mountain bike race that is a staple in the Mt. Washington Valley biking community. The course covers the carriage roads of Great Glen Trails combined with single track through North Country woodlands; Towards the end of each lap, there is an optional floating bridge. Each lap is approximately nine miles long, and participants will bike each lap as many times as they can for 24-hours on August 5th through the 6th. Sponsored by title sponsor, Moat Mountain Smokehouse, and presenting sponsors ProTune and Specialized, this event features camping at Great Glen Trails, free pond kayaking for all ages, food trucks, and more; and makes for a great family-friendly spectator activity and seasoned athlete event. 

• Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle HillClimb is a 7.6 one-way race to the summit of Mt. Washington. At 6,288 ft. bikers race to the top of the highest peak in the northeastern US. , is hosted by and benefits Tin Mountain Conservation Center. In fact, it’s Tin Mountain’s largest fundraising event. Once participants complete the race an awards ceremony with lunch live music, and a free beer from Moat Mountain awaits.
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• White Mountain Milers’ half-marathon is back! After a brief hiatus this half-marathon that winds through North Conway, and surrounding neighborhoods is taking place on September 24th. Starting and ending in Schouler Park, It’s happening rain or shine. The registration fee benefits the Gretchen B. Hatch Memorial Scholarship Fund, which supports college-bound students from the Mt. Washington Valley. Registration is capped at 500 so click the link to secure your support. Participants receive a performance Race Shirt, custom Finisher's Medal, unlimited Free Race Photos, and Race Day Results
  
  Mark Your Calendar for 2024...
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• The Delta Dental Mt. Washington Auto Road Race is a historic competition. It’s a grueling run up the Mt. Washington Auto Road - a 7.6 mile climb gaining over four thousand of feet of elevation to make it to the top of New England’s highest peak, Mount Washington. Registration always sells out early with competitors hungry to add this achievement to their repertoire. If you aren’t able to snag a spot for the June 17, 2023 race, make sure you stay tuned for the 2024 race.
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• Do you think you can beat the Mount Washington Cog up its own railway? Find out at the Race the Cog event, hosted by White Mountain Endurance on June 24, 2023. The course starts at the base station at the Cog Railway in Bretton Woods, NH and runners follow the path alongside the tracks to the summit of Mount Washington. The course is one of the most technical areas in the country, and weather can be extreme with temperatures in the 70’s at the base and snowing at the top. 
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• Black Fly Trail Run is hosted by Great Glen Trails on their trail network and features a ten mile loop and three mile loop. Immerse yourself in extraordinary views of the Great Gulf Wilderness at the base of Mount Washington regardless of which race you choose.  The Black Fly Trail run takes place June 10th, and is a great event for beginner and season competitors.
  
  The ten mile course features single track, muddy bogs, carriage roads, and a river crossing, and is made up of three loops run in sequential order. The three mile course is made up of the first loop of the longer course where runners will experience the ups and downs, twists and turns of a single track course.
  

For complete trip planning resources and information, explore this site, visitmwv.com, or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk to a Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce rep.  To learn more about New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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