2026 Mount Ascutney Vertical Backyard Race

A "Last Person Standing" type of event. Each hour participants will ascend (and descend) 1209 vertical feet via one of two routes. The race ends when there is only one person left.

November 21, 2025 - 9:00 AM start

Come out for a few hours or see just how much up and down your legs can handle before enjoying Thanksgiving dinner a few days later. ALL RUNNERS (and fast hikers too!) are welcome. This is a chance to challenge yourself, and exceed your expectations. Can you make it 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours?

Runners have one hour to complete each lap (yard), and must be at the start line on the hour to continue racing. The laps are short, 2.25 miles with 1,209 feet of gain. Why 1209 feet per lap? If anyone can make it 24 hours, they will have equaled the ascent from sea level to the top of Mt. Everest. Runners will have the ability to do three laps up the t-bar path (403 feet) or one lap up to a spot on the hiking trail much higher on the mountain (1209 feet) each hour.

We'll have one aid station at the bottom, with hot food available throughout the event and indoor tables and bathrooms at Ascutney Outdoors Center.

Small prizes for all runners who hit elevation gains equivalent to:

Mt. Washington (6,288 ft) - 5 Yards and a bit more Mt. Whitney (14,505 feet) - 12 Yards Mt. Everest (29,032 feet) - 24 Yards

Awards for:

Cash Lap (m/f/nb) - Fastest Yard which occurs on hour 5 Vert Gobbler - Turn around at higher turnaround, ~180ft extra per lap. Finisher with most extra vert wins. Assist - 2nd Place Winner - Last Person Standing

There will be spots to camp the night before and personal aid stations such as EZ-ups and tables are permitted.

Much of the course is visible from the bottom, so it's a great spectator race, and racers will have endless views throughout. This a late November race on a mountain, so be prepared for any weather. It will get cold at night and there could be snow and ice.

The course is 2.25 miles with approximately 1,209 feet of gain per mile. Links to loops below (ignore Strava's elevation gain in links below)

Long loop: https://www.strava.com/routes/3412854362312059184

Short Loop: https://www.strava.com/routes/3412870885962649666

$150 entry fee (not including taxes) 75% refunds through Oct 1 50% refunds through Nov 1

5% of entry fees will be donated to Ascutney Outdoors. 5% of entry fees will be donated to Ascutney Trails Association 5% of entry fees will be donated to West Windsor Fast Squad

Runner's Handbook https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yJx64z9sCVIYtIy_bqit1NxOJBvCotgImykX8Nar8BQ/edit?usp=sharing