THERE'S ONLY ONE HILL

In 1936 nine intrepid runners completed a race that started at the bottom and went to the top of the highest mountain in the eastern half of the continent.   Now 70 years later, some of the best runners in the world's have given their best, and one must enter a lottery to be among the coveted 1,000 starters of this super-classic race.

At 6,288 feet in height, Mount Washington might initially not impress the westerner who may live in a city higher than that.   But when one notes the start is only 1,640' above sea level, arithmetic quickly reveals a 4,650' elevation gain in only 7.6 miles, for an average grade of 11.5%.   The final 50 meters are up a 22% grade - "The Wall".  

Since the course is a mostly paved road rather than a trail, one also may not be impressed. But then there's ... the weather.   The highest surface wind speed in the world was recorded at the summit of Mount Washington in 1934:   231 mph Throw in potential rain and fog, and the mountain grows larger.

But the real stats are not about the mountain; they are about the race .   Every runner on the coast wants to test themselves on The Hill, clubs set up tents on the grass where their members socialize and come back year after year, while race organizers bend over backwards to bring in the best runners in the country.

And the best do come and race ... let's see what they have to say.

Learn more on the outstanding race website: www.mountwashingtonroadrace.com

Learn much more by reading Dave Dunham's new book: Only One Hill

WHAT THEY SAY

John Stifler

Elite athlete coordinator, Press Liaison

Two years ago we were also the National Championship, but this year feels even more intense.   There have been more elite runner inquiries than ever before.

I think Paul could win this year.   Everything is coming together for him.    But Eric Blake will be back, and he ran with Simon last year until the last 700 yards.   Simon is back, Matt might be, and there's always someone to surprise you, so it's anybody's guess, especially since Jonathan Wyatt is not coming this year.

Jono was something ... have you ever seen him run?   Imagine a what a national-class 5K runner looks like racing on a track, then tilt the angle up 12 degrees, and he's still running the same ... that's Jonathan Wyatt.

	Anna Pichrtova and Melissa Moon battle on Mount Washington (2005)

Anna will be back, but due to injuries possibly not in top form.   Isabelle (from Poland) is coming for the first time, and I think she once beat both Anna and Melissa in an uphill race.   But now she's a master.   The women's master record is held by Joan Samuelson, but it was set on a rotten day, so she ran conservatively ... it's definitely up for grabs.

The La Sportiva GoLite Women's Open Team could very well set a new team Course Record.

There have been so many great moments, I can't think of them all.   You should read Dave's book.

1999 was when Matt and Daniel Kihara had an epic duel.   Matt did most of the work, then Daniel capitalized on it.   Those were 2 of the only 3 guys who had ever broken an hour, racing elbow-to-elbow right from the gun.   Matt got a PR but not the win.

In 2003 Andrew Masai, a very experienced master runner from Kenya, showed up. Sometimes Kenyans come and win, and sometimes the mountain wins, let's put it that way.   He was pulling away at 4 miles, looks like he had it, but at 5 miles gap wasn't getting bigger, as Craig Fram and Simon were giving chase.   Simon passed Masai around 5.5 and went on for the win, while Fram got him on the steep switchbacks, where he later told me he wanted to look good for the pass, and kept chanting to himself, "Whatever you do, don't walk, whatever you do, don't walk."   Andrew finished 10th.

	Mount Washington Summit

The means master record was set by Fred Norris, a coal miner from England.   He was a hard guy - works a regular job, goes out on the weekends and does fell running, then off to the pub for a few rounds.   Came to America because someone told him you can win a race and get a scholarship to college.   Norris was 3rd at Boston in 1961, then came up here, won overall, and set the masters course record that stood until 2001 when Craig Fram broke it.  

In 1997 when Fram first won, the women's winner was Kathy O'Brian.   She was local, young, and really nice.   Riding down in the car after, she was sitting in between Jackie Gareau and Joanie, both Boston winners, who finished 2-3 that day ... Kathy was clearly tickled to be in such good company.

But my favorite moment, without a doubt, is the year I ran it.   From treeline to summit the visibility was less than 20'.   I was running in total solitude.   Ground and sky are the same color.   Occasionally you hear footsteps behind, you can hear someone breathing but can't see them; occasionally see grey shapes looming out of the gloom, that somehow come and go, leaving you alone again.

3.5 miles of that.   The most surreal experience I've ever had.   If there was any doubt running Mount Washington is amazing, it was forever erased.

Paul Low

3-time USATF Mountain Runner of the Year

It's the one race that really goes out of its way to recruit and get people to the starting line.   It's in a class by itself in that respect.   It is a unique race - there are other uphill races, like Mt Evans, but they don't have this history or this competition.

It's a regionally very important race.   There's Boston, and then there's Mt Washington.   Everybody knows it.   When people find out you're a runner, and they ask, "Have you done Boston?"   Then they say, "Have you done Mt Washington?"   And everyone who wants to make the National Team will be there.

There are probably 5 or 6 guys who could win it.   There's going to be a good race up front.   The top 10 is going to be the best ever.   There are usually a couple of surprises in terms of who shows up.

Kelli Lusk

2-time member National Team

I look forward to racing it - last year I was injured and had to watch - that was hard. Training is going well. There's a great women's field, and of course the men's field is strong too.

Who knows who's going to win?   Of course there's Anna.   Then a race within a race for the National Championship.

Matt Carpenter

3-time Mt Washington Winner

My favorite was the first one I did.   I had my hat tucked in my shorts, it fell out, and Dave picked it up.   He later told me he was going to catch up, run up from behind and surprise me by putting it back on, but he didn't catch me.

My PR was set in the race with Daniel Kihara - we went elbow/elbow the whole way. He's a great road racer - he got me to do a lot of the work; he had great tactics.   He schooled me.   He'd even do fake surges, pull up alongside me, make me go harder, then drop right back into my shadow again.   I really thought I had that race, I felt very good, but at the end when he went, I didn't even try to respond.   I'd rather lose a great race like that one, than win a poor one.   That was a good race.

Mount Washington news lands on front page of Boston papers.   It's always interesting to see how different organizers treat their event.   They've figured out it can be for everyone, and the people out front get supported.   In other races the top finish times are getting slower, while at Mount Washington they are getting faster.

The tailgates are down, parties happening, it's a great atmosphere.   They've got sponsors who remember that there are people racing up front.   That brings people to the event; everyone benefits.

There are probably parallels between how the MWRR approaches their event and the Barr Trail Mountain Race.   It's a lot of work to make it a faster race, so it comes down to passion.   It comes down to a personal decision by the Race Director.

Lisa Goldsmith

Current USATF Female Master Mountain Runner of the Year

I've had a good 'uphill' season so far.   I'm really excited about it, and happy to be on our Women's Team. It helps to visualize it.   Mainly want to better my time.   I don't really think of competition, because it's so deep.   It's simply about how you run the mountain; I want to run the mountain well.

Mount Washington is like an international race - it ups the adrenaline, the nerves - it's why I race.   I used to race internationally and often...They are few and far between these days for me. I feel the buzz (if I may 'borrow') and nervous excitement of a big event although the pressure for me has abated and it really is just a joy to be able to still be playing hard in the big races and challenging myself as I dance on that line between health and super fitness.

Anna Pichrtova

4-time Mt Washington Winner

The race is spectacular, very different from other races because of the weather changes, strong wind and cold.   It can make it very hard.

It is a steady climb so you need to set a steady pace, your own pace!   Which is very important. Don't hurry in the beginning, it can cost you a lot and you will need it at the end. Try to run clever the first half, the second will be hard, and save a little for the last mile and a very steep 100m finish.

Dave Dunham

Author, and 3-time Mt Washington Winner

Very interesting this year.   Is it the best field ever?   I don't know about that, but it's going to be a good field, men's and women's both.   Could go to anybody.   I'd like to see Paul take it.   Masters is really strong - could be 5 master runners in the top 10.   I could have a good race and not even be in the top 5 masters, and I'm shooting for around 1:07.

There's an entire chapter in the book that is my personal training and racing log - an insider look into the race.   There are plenty of stories - last year a really fast guy - sub 24 minutes at 5 miles - was ahead of me, doing his first Mt Washington.   I caught up to him around halfway ... and he was walking.   As I passed I tried to encourage him by saying, "You just gotta find a rhythm!"   He said, "I have a rhythm!"   Walking was feeling pretty good to him at that point.