Quarantine Uphill Challenge (May 1-3)

Now a NENSA event!

With the running season starting in earnest for many of us, it’s time to collectively rally toward a goal. We may not be able to gather in person, but Virtual Races 

have become a way for athletes to stick to some familiar territory (the competitive side) regardless of the social distance between them. 

For the ultimate in socially-distant masochism, look no further than the recently-completed Quarantine Backyard Ultra, won by Mike Wardian after running 262.5 miles worth of 4-mile loops in his neighborhood.

Our new challenge for Spring 2020 is not quite as epic in terms of length…but you WILL notice that the quarantine ultramarathon race came down to 2 competitors, one on a treadmill and the other (Wardian) running on a flat loop in Arlington, VA. What’s lacking here? That’s right, some UPHILL!

Our MNC training year often starts off with a grueling workout: the Bolton Uphill Run Test. We use this test to gauge fitness several times in the year…often once in the spring, twice in the summer, and once or twice in the fall. It’s not unheard of for the first test of the year (May) to involve scrambling over some un-melted snow, just as we’re equally likely to have snow falling on our heads during the final test of the year in October or November. We keep a long-running archive of tests to track fitness.

In this time of COVID-19, we are putting the challenge out there for New England skiers to run their own uphill test to kick-off May. Much like NENSA’s Club Cup and Zak Cup, this is a challenge for everyone! You’ll find the rules to be quite forgiving when it comes to the “uphill” requirements. Read more below:

What: MNC Quarantine Uphill Run Challenge 

When: May 1st, 2nd, or 3rd (Fri/Sat/Sun)

Rules: Run your own uphill test, on foot, as fast as you can. The requirements for this test? 

-Race must finish higher than it started: a net elevation gain. No minimum or maximum on the elevation gained…it can even finish just going up your driveway if that’s higher than the surrounding road!

-Race has to be on foot…no faster means of transportation like a bike, or even rollerskis..! 

-Race cannot take place on closed trail systems such as the Long Trail or local MTB networks. Please respect the closures from our trail stewards, and focus on roads (paved or dirt). 

-Use the form below to submit your race data, including (optional) Strava or other fitness-tracker details as well as photos. We will have awards for all sorts of catagories including most elevation gained, fastest 2-mile course, most creative route, and best race photo (can be staged).  

Results Submission Form

Submissions due by Monday, May 4th. Time to start planning your ultimate uphill test!