Sunday marks the end of the 2009 USATF NE mountain series. Here is my take on the history going back to very begining....
The USATF Mountain circuit was founded in 1996 as a way to get runners to enjoy the distinct aspects of various mountain races in New England. The number of races and dates they have been held have changed on occasion and a few races have been added or left during the last thirteen years. Scoring has always been based on the winner’s time, with the winner receiving 100 points and all others receiving points based on their percentage behind the winners time.
I was involved with USATF since the late 80’s (when it was still known as TAC) working as an athlete’s rep. on the New England board. I had been traveling to Europe for a couple of years to mountain race and wondered why there wasn’t any real organization to the many mountain races in my own backyard. Since no one else seemed interested in trying to pump up involvement in Mountain running I took it upon myself. I approached the races that I knew of and asked them to be part of a circuit, and so it began. I was in charge of the series from 1996-2001. From 2002 to 2005 Richard Bolt took control and from 2006 to present the circuit has be ably managed by Paul Kirsch.
The USATF New England circuit champions in the Open, 40+, 50+, 60+, and 70+ categories are decided based on the best five results from the six (for 2009) race circuit. Points are given for each USATF finisher based on a percentage of the winner’s time. All current USATF members are scored in the circuit. A special “Mountain Goat” award is presented to those who complete all six races, along with a Lottery By-Pass to the following years Mt Washington road race.
USATF New England, Inov-8, and the efforts of the race directors involved make the circuit happen. Inov-8 arrived on the scene in 2009 as the title sponsor.
I was involved with USATF since the late 80’s (when it was still known as TAC) working as an athlete’s rep. on the New England board. I had been traveling to Europe for a couple of years to mountain race and wondered why there wasn’t any real organization to the many mountain races in my own backyard. Since no one else seemed interested in trying to pump up involvement in Mountain running I took it upon myself. I approached the races that I knew of and asked them to be part of a circuit, and so it began. I was in charge of the series from 1996-2001. From 2002 to 2005 Richard Bolt took control and from 2006 to present the circuit has be ably managed by Paul Kirsch.
The USATF New England circuit champions in the Open, 40+, 50+, 60+, and 70+ categories are decided based on the best five results from the six (for 2009) race circuit. Points are given for each USATF finisher based on a percentage of the winner’s time. All current USATF members are scored in the circuit. A special “Mountain Goat” award is presented to those who complete all six races, along with a Lottery By-Pass to the following years Mt Washington road race.
USATF New England, Inov-8, and the efforts of the race directors involved make the circuit happen. Inov-8 arrived on the scene in 2009 as the title sponsor.
Races in the circuit:
1996 Kearsarge, Wachusett, Temple (Pack) - 34 completed all 3
1997 Kearsarge, Wachusett, Temple (Pack) - 47 completed all 3
1998 Kearsarge, Wachusett , Pack, Stratton - 42 completed all 4
1999 Kearsarge, Wachusett, Pack, Stratton - 27 completed all 4
2000 Kearsarge, Wachusett, Pack - 35 completed all 3
2001 Kearsarge, Windblown, Wachusett, Pack, Ascutney - 18 completed all 5 (Best 4 scored)
2002 Kearsarge, Wachusett, Pack, Ascutney - 39 completed all 4
2003 Wachusett, Kearsarge, Pack, Northfield, Ascutney - 11 completed all 5 (Best 4 scored)
2004 Kearsarge, Wachusett, Northfield, Ascutney - 23 completed all 4
2005 Kearsarge, Wachusett, Pack, Northfield, Ascutney, Cranmore - 21 completed all 6 (Best 5 scored)
2006 Wachusett, Pack, Northfield, Ascutney, Cranmore, Loon – 18 completed all6 (Best 5 scored)
2007 Wachusett, Pack, Northfield, Ascutney, Cranmore, Loon – 61 completed all 6 (Best 5 scored)
2008 Wachusett, Pack, Northfield, Ascutney, Cranmore, Loon – 58 completed all 6 (Best 5 scored)
2009 Wachusett, Pack, Northfield, Ascutney, Cranmore, Loon
Wachusett Mountain Typically held on the last Saturday in May. The race is hosted by the Central Mass Striders. The first race was held (twice!) in 1978 and was fairly successful. It was contested from 1978 to 1986 when the host Montachusett Regional YMCA decided to cut back on its road race calendar. The CMS brought the race back in 1992 and it has been held continuously since. The traditional course climbs over 1400 feet with 400 feet of drop in 4.3 miles of paved road. This is a tough mountain race because it is something of a “sprint”; times are generally equal to a 5-mile flat race. Amenities include a very reasonable entry fee, baggage to the finish, prizes in five age groups excellent management by the Central Mass. Striders. The race has been part of the series since 1996. In 2009 the course was changed to an up/down version as construction on the summit road made the original route unusable.
Winners
5/25/1996 Dave Dunham 24:35(CR) & Margo Webber 30:06 (CR) – 208 finishers
5/24/1997 Eric Morse 24:39 & Margo Webber 30:19 – 233 finishers
5/23/1998 Dave Dunham 25:29 & Margo Webber 30:52 – 243 finishers
5/29/1999 Eric Morse 24:14(CR) & Julie Peterson 29:24(CR) – 243 finishers
5/27/2000 Eric Morse 24:32 & Julie Peterson 29:38 – 260 finishers
5/26/2001 Eric Morse 24:30 & Suzy West 30:57 – 209 finishers
5/25/2002 Eric Morse 24:20 & Cathy Pearce 30:35 – 305 finishers
5/24/2003 Paul Low 24:50 & Suzy West 31:22 – 247 finishers
5/23/2004 Paul Low 25:17 & Nikki Kimball 30:38 – 204 finishers
5/28/2005 Paul Low 25:29 & Kara Haas 30:24 – 197 finishers
5/27/2006 Paul Low 25:07 & Carly Graytock 31:11 – 275 finishers
5/26/2007 Paul Low 25:44 & Barbara McManus 31:02 – 328 finishers
5/24/2008 Ryan Carrara 25:21 & Amy Nedeau 29:13(CR) – 338 finishers
5/23/2009 Ryan Carrara 30:44 & Adrienne Shields 38:20 – 335 finishers
Course records: Open Eric Morse 24:14 (‘99), Amy Nedeau 29:13 (‘08).
Pack Monadnock: Typically held the first Sunday in June. Pack has been part of the circuit since 1996. The race was been held continuously from 1990 through 2003. The event was not held in 2004, but returned in 2005. The tem mile course climbs 2,000 feet and drops 300 feet over mostly paved roads from Wilton NH to the summit of Pack Monadnock in Temple NH. The last mile, which is entirely within Miller State park, has climbs steeper than Mt Washington (11.5% average grade). The final 200m has a grade of about 30%. Amenities include mile markers, water stops, and baggage to the finish.
Winners:
1996 Dave Dunham 59:13 (CR) & Margo Webber 1:15:03 (CR) – 196 finishers
1997 Eric Morse 1:00:12 & Margo Webber 1:14:18 (CR) – 209 finishers
1998 Dave Dunham 1:01:40 & Margo Webber 1:16:02 – 210 finishers
1999 Eric Morse 58:35 (CR) & Suzy West 1:16:13 – 157 finishers
2000 Eric Morse 1:01:25 & Suzy West 1:15:22 – 132 finishers
2001 Eric Morse 59:07 & Nikki Kimball 1:14:46 – 191 finishers
2002 Craig Fram 1:00:58 & Cathy Pearce 1:17:20 – 158 finishers
2003 Rod Viens 1:06:15 & Suzy West 1:18:39 – 189 finishers
2005 Greg Ward 1:07:14 & Suzy West 1:22:25 – 184 finishers
2006 Paul Low 1:03:55 & Kelli Lusk 1:13:35 (CR) – 173 finishers
2007 Paul Low 1:04:42 & Kelli Lusk 1:14:20 – 225 finishers
2008 Glenn Guillemette 1:05:52 & Tara Cardi 1:15:35 – 277 finishers
2009 Brendan Callahan 1:02:37 & Abby Mahoney 1:17:27 – 292 finishers
Course records: Eric Morse 58:35 & Kelli Lusk 1:13:35
Northfield Mountain: Northfield has normally been held the Saturday after Pack Monadnock and has been the home for the USATF New England Association championships for Mountain or trail running from 2003 to present. The event served as a qualifier for the TEVA USA Mountain running team in 2003 and 2005. The current version of the course was first incorporated in 2006 is a 10.3K featuring 1,200’ of climb and descent. The footing is very good and the surface is 100% trail. Amenities include the lowest entry fee in the series ($8-10 pre) and excellent facilities for a mountain race.
Winners:
2003 Paul Low 50:05 & Kelli Lusk 1:00:03 – 84 finishers
2004 Joshua Ferenc 49:18 & Kelli Lusk 1:03:04 – 128 finishers
2005 Simon Gutierrez 58:30 & Anna Pichrtova 42:17 – 93 finishers
2006 Dmitry Drozdov 35:32 (CR) & Suzy West 47:19 (CR) – 97 finishers
2007 Paul Low 36:36 & Kelly Lusk 43:29 (CR) – 228 finishers
2008 Mark Miller 35:47 & Amy Nedeau 41:12 (CR) – 174 finishers
2009 Josh Ferenc 36:26 & Abby Mahoney 43:42 – 216 finishers
Course records: Dmitry Drozdov 35:32 & Amy Nedeau 41:12
Loon Mountain: Loon Mountain has been held the week on the first Sunday of July although it has been run as early as the final weekend in June. Loon has been part of the series since its creation by USATF NE Mountain chair Paul Kirsch in 2006. The race has been designated the USATF NE mountain running championship and will served as a qualifier for the TEVA US Mountain running team in 2006. The course was been designed to mirror the 2006 World Trophy course in Turkey, thus giving runners in New England a taste of an international mountain race. In 2007 the ½ mile of flat running on paved road at the base of the mountain was eliminated and the course is currently 5.6 miles with 2,800’ of climb and descent. The signature feature of the race is the 1 kilometer stretch climbing Upper Walking Boss, a grass slope with an average grade over 30%. Race features include a low entry fee, baggage transport to the summit, and wild strawberries lining sections of the course.
2006 Paul Low 47:08 & Kelli Lusk 1:00:46 – 96 finishers
2007 Paul Low 47:50 (CR) & Kasie Enman 53:36 (CR) - 192 finishers
2008 Eric Blake 46:01 & Jennifer Johnson 1:04:15 – 170 finishers
2009 Jim Johnson 48:25 & Kasie Enman 53:17 (CR) – 204 finishers
Mt Cranmore: Cranmore may be the oldest continuously held mountain race in New England with over 20 years of history. The race has been held on various dates, in more recent years one week after Mt Washington. The course has been varied throughout the years, from a straight run to the summit, to a three loop quad buster. The current version of the course features two loops up and down the mountain climbing and descending 2,000’ over 11K. The race is sponsored by Inov-8 and hosted by the White Mountain milers. The race has thrice hosted the National championships (2005/2007/2009) and been a selection race for the US team. It has also been designated the USATF NE Mountain championship.
Winners
2005 Eric Blake 1:03:46 & Julie Bryan 51:29 – 129 finishers
2006 David Hunt 48:15 & Dawn Heinrich 1:05:05 – 101 finishers
2007 Rickey Gates 1:02:48 & Anna Pichrtova 46:45 – 173 finishers
2008 Justin Fyffe 53:51 & Abby Woods 1:08:36 – 139 finishers
2009 Joe Gray 48:37 & Christine Lundy 57:16 – 236 finishers
Ascutney Mountain: The race was first held in the early 70’s as a tune-up for local XC skiers and has always been popular with roller-skiers. After many years of inactivity it was brought back in 2001 as part of the circuit. There is also a popular bike race to the summit in late July. The up until 2009 the course was the paved toll road to the summit parking lot near the top of Ascutney in Windsor VT. The average grade (12%) and the many twists in the road are reminiscent of the Mount Washington road race. The course climbs 2,300 feet in 3.7 miles. Amenities include mile markers, a water stop, and post-race refreshments. All runners are expected to arrange transport down or run down after the race. The race originally was held a week before Mt Washington but in recent years has been held in mid-July.
Winners
2001 Eric Morse 28:47 (CR) & Nixie Raymond 40:27 (CR) – 104 finishers
2002 Eric Morse 28:44 (CR) & Cathy Pearce 37:29 (CR) – 99 finishers
2003 Eric Morse 29:49 & Suzy West 36:52 (CR) – 80 finishers
2004 Kevin Tilton 29:02 & Emily Willems 41:00 – 70 finishers
2005 Paul Low 29:27 & Suzy West 38:00 – 81 finishers
2006 Paul Low 29:39 & Abby Woods 41:37 – 56 finishers
2007 Dave Dunham 31:36 & Kasie Enman 35:07 (CR) – 133 finishers
2008 Eric Morse 29:47 & Dorcas Wonsavage 37:56 – 131 finishers
Course records: Eric Morse 28:47 & Kasie Enman 35:07
Gone but not forgotten:
Mount Kearsarge Last held May 29, 2005. The course climbs 2,400 feet and drops 400 feet over 8.5 miles. Kearsarge was part of the circuit starting in 1996. The first Kearsarge race was in 1995; previously many local runners had used the course as a tune-up for Mount Washington. The first 5 miles is a rolling country road. The real climb begins just after entering the Rollins State park at the 5-mile mark. Typically racers will run about the same time for the first five as they do for the last 3-½ miles! In 2001 the race had to stop at the 5-mile mark due to dangerous road conditions.
Winners
1996 Dave Dunham 51:23 (CR) & Margo Webber 1:05:53 (CR) – 97 finishers
1997 Eric Morse 52:32 & Margo Webber 1:04:50 (CR) - 124 finishers
1998 Mike Casner 54:48 & Amber Duncan 1:05:29 – 151 finishers
1999 Dave Dunham 51:02 (CR) & Suzy West 1:06:29 – 108 finishers
2000 Eric Morse 51:22 & Suzy West 1:05:58 – 155 finishers
2001 Eric Morse 28:26 & Suzy West 34:08 – 124 finishers
2002 Eric Morse 51:49 & Nikki Kimball 1:04:30 (CR) – 162 finishers
2003 Eric Morse 53:36 & Barbara McManus 1:04:55 – 121 finishers
2004 Paul Low 53:07 & Kelli Lusk 1:03:40 (CR) – 161 finishers
2005 Kevin Tilton 52:25 & Suzy West 1:08:06 – 158 finishers
Stratton Mountain 12k: Held in 1998 and 1999. The facilities and course were excellent as were the people at Stratton who put on the race. Unfortunately it just didn’t attract enough runners to the site for it to remain feasible. It was the New England championship the two years it was held, this was the first time the Association hosted a Mountain Championship. The course was entirely on trails and had over 2,000’ of climb. It is also the site of the rock climbing wall where the guide told me “stick your hand in the crack and make a fist”, needless to say the entire group was in stitches about that for days (actually the quote is thrown out every once in a while to this day).
Winners
1998 Thierry Icart 51:27 & Amber Duncan 1:05:40 – 85 finishers
1999 Eric Morse 46:33 & Julie Peterson 58:28 – 56 finishers
Windblown 10K: Held once in 2001. A multiple loop 10K was held in 2001 over the Windblown XC ski area in New Ipswich NH. The course was created to mirror (as best as possible) the up/down course of the World Trophy. The course twice passed over the summit of Barrett Mountain and was run over parts of the Wapack trail. Eric Morse was leading the race after one lap before going off course. Dan Verrington and I tied, thinking they were second and third. Nikki Kimball took the women’s victory.
I designed this course to be one that I could win, so I thought. It had tough climbs, but very non-technical descents. Had Morse been able to follow the profusely marked course he would have crushed my time. This was a great place to hold a race, however the use-fee was a bit too steep for my tastes.
2001 Dan Verrington 41:08 & Nikki Kimball 47:51 – 55 finishers
Series winners:
1996 Dave Dunham, CMS
1997 Eric Morse, CMS
1998 Dave Dunham, CMS
1999 Eric Morse, CMS
2000 Eric Morse, CMS
2001 Eric Morse, CMS
2002 Eric Morse, CMS
2003 Eric Morse, CMS
2004 Josh Ferenc, BAA
2005 Paul Low, CMS, 40+ =Dave Dunham, CMS
2006 Paul Low, CMS, 40+ =Dave Dunham, CMS
2007 Paul Low, CMS, 40+ =Dave Dunham, CMS
2008 Justin Fyffe, GCS, 40+ =Dave Dunham, CMS
Women
1996 Lisa Hart
1997 Margot Weber, CMS
1998 Margot Webber, CMS
1999 Sue Lachance, CSU
2000 Suzy West, CSU
2001 Yuki Minami, GCS
2002 Cathy Pearce, WRT
2003 Kate Naples
2004 Kelli Lusk, CMS,
2005 Kathy Hurst
2006 Kate Naples, CCAC
2007 Abby Woods, GSH
2008 Nancy Cook
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