Race The Cog

Event Postponed

This event has been postponed from Jun 27, 2026 to Sep 13, 2026

Race Up the Northeast's Highest Peak

One of the most unique footraces in the world. Race the infamous Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit of the Northeast's highest peak. NOTE: when registering, the buttons labeled "Roundtripper" with their respective waves will be the Devil's Shingle Roundtripper that will take participants to the summit AND all the way back down the mountain on foot. The buttons that only list the three waves are for the summit only category of the event. This category includes one ticket to ride the Cog back down the mountain and learn for the Mount Washington Cog Railway staff about the history of the route!

PRIZE MONEY!

Delta Dental is offering $1,000 to anyone who beats the elite wave train. Race the Cog is also part of the Delta Dental Mountain Challenge , incorporating six races around New England and one virtual climbing challenge, and the top ten men and women in the series receive cash awards.

Event Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor: Delta Dental

Course Overview

Race the Cog Summit Climb: The race course is about 2.75 miles long and follows the tracks the entire way. The total climbing is 3,500 feet with more than 1,000 feet of climbing per mile. The course starts at the Marshfield Base station of the Cog Railway in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Runners will take the path alongside the tracks to the summit of Mount Washington. The course begins on dirt/gravel and gradually becomes steeper and rockier as you approach Jacobs Ladder. From Jacobs Ladder the runners will continue to experience the large boulder fields that make the Presidential Range one of the most technical areas in the country. The race ends on the summit of Mount Washington alongside the Cog. The weather can be extreme and temperatures can be in the 70’s at the base and snowing at the top. Winds can be intense. Be prepared for anything. The views from the course are incredible as you look at the entire Presidential Range from both sides of the course. The Summit Climb entry fee includes a Cog train ride from the summit where you finish, back down the mountain to the start. You will receive a bracelet as your "ticket" for the train ride back down to the base station after you finish. Trains depart for the summit every hour, and they have a one hour layover on the summit. You can take any available train back down to the base. While you wait on the summit, you will have access to the hiker pack room inside the building, and the Mount Washington Observatory will also be open to the public which you will have access to. No participant gear or bags will be taken to the summit. Racing to the top of Mt Washington not enough? Register for the Devil's Shingle Roundtripper and you now have the option of tagging the summit at mile 2.75 and then racing back down the mountain, finishing with 5.5 miles total right where you started! You will follow the same course as the summit climb, directly up the mountain paralleling the Cog train track. After you finish, you will receive a ticket for a meal from the Tin Can Co Food Truck, and a ticket for an ice cream from Papa Beans Ice Cream. The post race food, ice cream and music will be located at the base station, at the race start. Aid Stations: Water, Tailwind, Coca Cola, Ginger Ale, Mountain Dew and various snacks (cookies, trail mix, chips, pretzels, fruit snacks) and fresh fruit (watermelon, oranges, bananas) will be available at Waumbek Station (0.9 miles) and at the Summit (2.75 miles). Please note this event is cupless and you will need to bring your own hydration system (bottle/cup/vest/etc.). The aid stations will not have any disposable cups for participants. This is in an effort to reduce waste at the event. You can purchase your own reusable cup through the "Store" tab.

Cog Railway Spectator Tickets

If you have friends or family interested in riding the train up to the summit, with the possibility of spectating and cheering you on along the course from the windows of the train, tickets can be purchased through the Mount Washington Cog Railway.

Refunds and Deferrals

If you withdraw from the race between 30 days of the event and more than 5 days from race day, you will receive 50% of your entry fee towards the next years race.  Within 5 days of the event you will not receive a credit. Review our full withdrawal policy here .

Volunteering

We appreciate our volunteers! Join us in providing an awesome experience! For many, volunteering is rewarding in its own right and a great way to give back to the running community. For others, it is a way to see things from the other side of the table, and learn a lot about running races before jumping into them. All volunteers earn race credits toward any future Aravaipa event. Register for an available shift for the Race the Cog .