With more vertical gain and loss per mile than possibly any other race in the United States save the Mt. Marathon, Whiteface is burly. It’s not that it’s overly technical. It’s not. It’s just #BeastCoast steep. You’ll cardio-pulmonary red-line on the ascent. Your quads will sear and your toes beg …
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With more vertical gain and loss per mile than possibly any other race in the United States save the Mt. Marathon, Whiteface is burly. It’s not that it’s overly technical. It’s not. It’s just #BeastCoast steep. You’ll cardio-pulmonary red-line on the ascent. Your quads will sear and your toes beg for submission in jamming the front of your shoes on the descent. And then you’ll do it again. Because this is what you came for. For something big, something beautiful, something really hard. In that moment where you find yourself questioning your life decisions, stop. Look around, enveloped by Adirondack High Peaks, in the footsteps of Olympians who also pushed this mountain, of some of the best mountain runners in the world who have come before and who are hammering out there with you. Then get back at it. You got this.
Saturday will open w/ a combined 1-Loop Marshak Mountain Race, and the 2-loop Race ISF Certified SkyRace. Entrants will have two options. One, bite off a burly single Alpine Circuit of ~10k distance w/ roughly 3,900’ of elevation gain and loss. Or, bite off a rather ridiculous second serving, sending a 20k distance with roughly 7,900’ of elevation gain and loss. Course cutoff time for the 2 Loop 21k will be 6 hours and the requirement to clear loop one in 2 hours 45 minutes.
The afternoon will offer another round in the form of an ISF Sanctioned Vertical K, a fairly direct steep shot from the resort’s base to summit, gaining roughly 3,200’ of elevation over 2.5 miles. Course cutoff will be 2.5 hours., with all entrants needing to clear Mid-Mountain Aid at 1.2 miles under 1 hour, and the base of Little Whiteface juncture at 2 miles in 1:45.
Entrants can register for each race, or double up for the combo in the form of the Vert Junky. Vertical gluttons capable of pulling of two loops and setting off for a final Ascent in the uphill race will have put in nearly 11,000’ of gain in the day.
Also in the afternoon will be the Kids Klymber, a 1’ish mile ascent from the top of the Gondola to finish alongside the Ascent line and geared towards kids and their parents.
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Craziest Mountain Race Ever! USATF Nats
2022 USATF national mountain running championships at Whiteface Mtn in New York. 8 hour round trip drive to Whiteface with travel team mate Dawn - Air BNB team bonding with … MORE
2022 USATF national mountain running championships at Whiteface Mtn in New York.
8 hour round trip drive to Whiteface with travel team mate Dawn – Air BNB team bonding with epic pre-race meal & DONUTS! Early morning rise to grind up Whiteface and down some pretty steep and gnarly terrain. Definitely the toughest mountain race I have experienced in my “mountain running career” that began in 2009. At one point on the steep and wet cliff I turned around and sat in the water to take in the view. Running down a black diamond trail “Upper Empire” was like doing box jumps – I noted to the “boys” around me that I wish I had my rock skis and a little snow – it would be much easier! I was second in my age group behind incredible team mate Karen E!
WMDP cleaned house!! It was a great trip very strong runners and WMDP came out on top with one age group gold and three age group Silver. First open the first master and first senior teams! It was fun because we saw Stephen from the WMDP Men’s team was seventh overall! A great day of racing congratulations everyone!
Side notes: One girl asked me on the way up one steep – “Is that another race number, are you doing the one later?” — I responded — no that’s my AGE. LOL “Oh wow – you’re amazing” she responded. Obviously she was an open runner (younger than 40) as most of the open runners didn’t wear the bib on the back.
Athletic Brewing Company NA beer was a hit in the parking lot sharing with the champs of the day! My favorite post race refreshment! SO honored to be a part of this amazing mountain running community!