Pinkham Notch, N.H., May 3, 2004

The Mount Washington Auto Road, which ascends the highest peak in the northeastern United States, will host the U.S. National Mountain-running Championship this summer in the 44th running of the Mount Washington Road Race, on June 19th, and one of the world's most difficult all-uphill road bicycle races, the 32nd Volkswagen Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb, on August 21st.

With its average grade of 11.5 percent and its 7.6-mile climb, with no flat or downhill stretches anywhere on the course, the Mt. Washington Auto Road presents one of the most challenging roads to run or bike anywhere. The mountain's famous weather, which typically includes winds gusting to 50 mph. or higher and assorted forms of precipitation and fog, only adds to the challenge.

Once again this year, 1000 runners will enter the Road Race, sponsored by Northeast Delta Dental, on the third Saturday in June. Since it serves as this year's USATF (United States of America Track & Field) national championship for mountain running, the race is expected to draw one of its most competitive fields ever.

With additional support from New England Runner magazine and Bridgton Academy, the Mount Washington Road Race will start at 10 a.m. on June 19. Runners come from all over New England, from the Rockies and elsewhere in the United States and Canada, and from several other countries, usually including Kenya. Entry is by lottery, with a few places reserved for elite runners.

The footrace to the summit has taken place on schedule in 42 of its 43 years. The exception was 2002, when organizers had to shorten the course to half its normal distance because wind chill at the top threatened hypothermia and ice on the road posed dangers for support vehicles. In 1994 and 1995, severe weather forced cancellation of the bicycle hillclimb, which in those years was normally held in September.

For the footrace, the auto road will be open until 9:30 a.m. for race support vehicles only, then closing for the race and opening to the public at 12:30 p.m. Spectators may ride one of the Mount Washington Auto Road stages before the start or may hike up one of the trails to watch the race from any of a number of locations on the slope.

Approximately 600 cyclists will compete in various categories of the Bicycle Hillclimb, sponsored by Volkswagen of America, in August. The top category includes racers of international status. Tour de France competitor Tyler Hamilton held the course record in this race until it was broken two years ago by rising star Tom Danielson, and the women's record belongs to young Canadian cyclist Genevieve Jeanson, one of the most sensational riders in the sport.

Built in 1861, the Mount Washington Carriage Road was one of the first commercial tourist attractions in the United States. In the 19th century, a carriage ride to the summit (6288 feet above sea level, or 4650 feet above the road's base at Pinkham Notch) was an adventure, and the adventure only took on a greater mystique with the advent of the automobile and the paving of most of the road.

Part of the adventure is the steepness of the climb, and part is Mt. Washington's famously unpredictable and severe weather. In 1934 a weather station on the summit clocked the highest wind ever recorded: 231 mph. In last year's Hillclimb, eventual winner Jeanson was actually blown to the pavement once before she reached the summit. Add to the wind the usually unseasonably cold air and all imaginable kinds of precipitation, and the challenge grows greater.

If weather should prevent the cyclists from making the ascent on Saturday, August 21 this year, the race will be held instead on Sunday, August 22.

August 22 is also the date of the Mt. Washington Century Ride, a scenic 100-mile ride around the base of Mt. Washington and other peaks in the Presidential Range. The VW Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb and the Mt. Washington Century both benefit the Tin Mountain Conservation Center in North Conway, N.H.

With Volkswagen as its title sponsor and RSN (Resort Sports Network) as presenting sponsor, the Volkswagen Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb on August 21 will begin when the first wave of riders departs at 7:40 a.m. Subsequent waves of riders begin the ascent at 7:45, 7:50 and 7:55 a.m.

Entry to the Volkswagen Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb is first come, first served, with a waiting list maintained after registration is full. The cancellation deadline for entrants who must withdraw is June 1st. At that time, all available places in the race will be filled from the waiting list.

For more information on the Mount Washington Auto Road visit their Web site: Auto Road

For more information about the Mount Washington Road Race, visit the Web site of Granite State Race Services: Granite State

For further information about the Volkswagen Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb, and the Volkswagen Mt. Washington Century Ride, visit the Web site of Tin Mountain Conservation Center at www.tinmtn.org, then click on Hillclimb.

For press credentials and other information about either race, phone or email John Stifler, Mount Washington Road Race and Volkswagen Mt. Washington Auto Road Hillclimb publicity, at (413) 585-0924 or jstifler@econs.umass.edu.