Last week, we updated you on the Swiss North Face Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc (UTMB), a rugged mountain running race, crossing through 3 countries, 166km, and 9500 meters of climbing. It takes the average competitor about 35 hours to complete, the fastest do it in 21.5. Well if you aren’t tired from just reading about it like me, we have more endurance updates for you.
This past weekend was the annual Mt. Washington Hill Climb bike race. Mt. Washington (just under 6300ft.) is the highest peak in the northeastern United States and the annual hill climb is known as one of the toughest in the world at 7.6 miles in length, with an average grade of 12% with extended sections of 18% and the last 50 yards is an oppressive 22%.
Polartec has sponsored the race for the past 10 years, donating Thermal Pro blankets to all of the riders. Due to the threat of hypothermia when finishing the race they are no longer allowed to even hold the race without these blankets. This year, John Brodie from the Polartec marketing department decided to give the race a shot.
“I finished at 1:31:04 at a 5mph average, which I was pleased with for a first time ride,” Brodie said in an email to the Polartec staff. “I wasn’t sure how the legs would hold over the length of the course so I kept an even steady pace, and had enough left to push the last 1/4 mile at about 10-12mph. The weather was perfect, actually a bit warm until getting above tree line. Views of the Presidential range were awesome, and there was a very large crowd at the summit.”
Congrats to John and all of the riders that attempted the Hill Climb! I was feeling pretty good about my 5 mile run this morning until just now.
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