Mohawk Mountain Race

About

In cooperation with Mohawk Mountain, the Mohawk Mountain Race is sponsored by Steep Endurance in Cornwall, CT. Normally a ski mountain in the winter, the mountain will be transformed into a super fun course! With its challenging ascents and descents on the ski mountain, it is sure to be a race to remember with sweeping viewpoints of the popping Fall foliage at every turn.

Because of the pandemic, this year's event will look a bit different. We will be confining all of the events to only the ski mountain. We will have the traditional 5K/10K, but will also have a Mohawk Mountain VERTual Challenge event. That event will feature one trail climb up the mountain and another trail climb coming down. Participants will have 8 hours (from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm) to finish as many loops as they can. There will also be a relay division (teams of two alternating going up and down the mountain).

Registration

5K
$30 early registration through July 31
$35 August 1-September 30
$40 October 1 - Race Day

10K
$40 early registration through July 31
$45 August 1-September 30
$50 October 1 - Race Day

VERT Challenge
$70 early registration through July 31
$80 August 1-September 30
$90 October 1 - Race Day

VERT Challenge Relay (teams of 2)
$50 per person early registration through July 31
$60 per person August 1-September 30
$70 per person October 1 - Race Day

Registration Open!

Refund Policy: There will no refunds and/or no transfers of your registration or bib to any other person. Entry fees collected are used to develop and produce the event, starting well in advance of the race date--including course preparation, race supplies, permits, and administration.

Location/Directions

Race headquarters will be located near the start line next to the Nutmeg Triple Chair Lift. Parking for the Mohawk Mountain Race will be in the main parking lot in front of the lodge. There is plenty of parking for all!

Course Description

The Mohawk Mountain race will start up the left side of the mountain and up the steep “Wildwood Trail” to the top of the mountain, then traversing over to and down the Timber Trail. Upon reaching the bottom of the mountain, runners work their way over to the right side of the mountain towards the Pine, Laurel and Deer Run Trails, then it’s a short trip down Victor’s Way, then back up the Pine Trail, a quick right onto Ledges up to the top of the mountain. After hitting the summit a second time, it’s down the Mohawk Trail to the finish. That's just one 5K loop! Runners in the 10K will do two loops.

Runners in the Half Marathon course will run one loop respectively of the 5K course plus additional miles in the Mohawk State Forest. Marathon runners will do two loops of the Half Marathon Course.

Elevation Stats:

5K: 1332'
10K: 2664'
Half Marathon: 3169'
Marathon: 6328'

Course Maps

Route map for Mohawk Mountain Race 5K NEW by Brian Vanderheiden on plotaroute.com

Route map for Mohawk Mountain Race Half Marathon by Brian Vanderheiden on plotaroute.com

Race Day Schedule

Saturday, October 17, 2020

7:00 a.m. Packet Pickup/Race Day Registration
8:00 a.m. Marathon/Half Marathon Start
9:00 a.m. 10K/5K Race Start
5:00 p.m. Time Cutoff for Half/Full Runners

Aid Stations

Will we have water and/or electrolyte drink at the start/finish for the Mohawk Mountain Race. This will act as an aid station for the 10K runners. There will be at least 1-2 additional aid stations for the Marathon/Half Marathon runners in Mohawk State Forest. Keep in mind that Steep Endurance events are "cupless" races. Runners are required to carry their own hydration bottle, pack, or cup. This policy is put into effect in an effort to reduce the amount of waste and adopt a sustainable “green” practice for the race and the sport of trail running.

Runner Rules

These rules are meant to make your experience during any Steep Endurance event a positive one. Most of these are common sense type policies that you will see at any trail or ultra race.

Absolutely No Littering! The race is on Mohawk Mountain Ski Area and Mohawk State Forest property. Please respect that we are using their amazing and beautiful trails for this race. Failure to do so could jeopardize future events at Mohawk.
Race entries/bib numbers are not transferrable--hence NO unofficial runners
Following the marked course is mandatory. Please do not cut the course, cut any switchbacks, etc. Any runner caught doing so will be disqualified. In addition, if you get lost on the trail/road you must return to the point at which you lost the trail. The course will be well marked with ribbons and other necessary course markings.
Though the course will be VERY well marked, runners are ultimately responsible for knowing the course and carrying course maps if necessary.
Please respect others that are on the trail. The trails on the course are open to the public and are fairly well travelled. Please announce your intentions to pass if you are coming upon a hiker or another runner.
If you must use the bathroom, please try to do so very discreetly a good distance off the trail before returning to the race.
If at anytime you intend to drop out of the race, please do so at an aid station/checkpoint by notifying the aid station captain. Surrendering your bib to the aid station captain will serve as notice of withdrawal/DNF for the race. Failure to follow these policies means somebody has to come looking for you. While this isn’t a marathon/ultra race, it is a trail race with some remote sections of trail, where we will be forced to have someone come looking for you and in some cases, local authorities (at your cost).
Smoking is not permitted on any of the trails or at any checkpoint by runners (probably shouldn’t be doing during a trail race anyway). Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the trails at Mohawk.
The use of personal music devices is strongly discouraged at this race. To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, Steep Endurance encourages a headphone-free environment during the running of the race. We believe your race experience and those around you will be greatly enhanced by leaving the headphones at home or in the car. Running headphone-free allows opportunities to develop camaraderie with your fellow runners and to enjoy everything the race has to offer. Plus, volunteers and spectators will be on course cheering you on and providing directions to help get you to the finish line. Runner safety will be a top priority for our events.
SMILE and enjoy the race! You are lucky to be enjoying these amazing trails!

Awards

Awards will be presented in the following age groups for both men and women in the 5K/10K races.
Overall, 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+.

Runners in the Half Marathon/Marathon will receive special finisher awards with additional awards to the top 3 podium finishers in each race.

Post Race Celebration

You’ve just finished a super challenging one of a kind course! Enjoy your accomplishment, sit back, relax, and don’t forget to cheer on all the runners coming in behind you! We will have the usual spread including bagels, bananas, pizza, non-alcoholic hydration options. **Alcoholic beverages are not provided, but you are welcome to BYOB.
There will also be a Food Truck Festival and Craft Fair for you to enjoy after the race!

Lodging/Things to Do

There are plenty of places to stay in and around Cornwall if you want to make a weekend out of it. Click on this link for more information.

Weather

October is a beautiful time of year in Connecticut with fall foliage close to peak. Average high temperatures range are usually in the 60's with low temperatures in the 40's. That’s pretty much perfect running weather!

History of Mohawk Mountain

Mohawk Mountain is a ski area located in Cornwall, Litchfield County, Connecticut. The ski area was built on the northwest slope of Mohawk Mountain by Walt Schoenknecht in 1947. It is a popular destination for both day and night skiers and snowboarders in the Connecticut area. It is also a popular day skiing destination for the New York City Metropolitan Area demographic as it is approximately a 95-mile ride to Mohawk Mountain from Manhattan. This resort is also famous for its pioneering efforts in creating and popularizing the snow gun and artificial snow.
Mohawk Mountain ski area was first opened by Walt Schoenknecht, later of Mount Snow fame, in 1947.
In 1969, a new Carlevaro-Savio double chairlift was installed.
In 1978, a new Hall triple chairlift was installed.
In 1989, a tornado destroyed many of the ski area's lifts and trees.[1] While the lifts were reconstructed, to this day the tree destruction is still visible from the base area.
In the summer of 2008, Mohawk Mountain installed a CTEC triple chairlift to replace the Mohawk Double. Formerly placed at Loon Mountain from 1984 to 2004, it is now the Mohawk Triple Chair as seen on their Trail Map.