9 Races up and down
The 31st Annual USATF-NE Mountain Circuit
Details on all circuit races, along with scoring rules, below
ABOUT The USATF-NE Mountain Circuit spans nine races over six months, and scores points earned in races based on place percentage of winner's time (see below)Races can be all-uphill, or cover up-and-down courses, and the courses may be single loop, multiple loop, or point to point. Footing in mountain races may be on pavement, trail, or a combination. Paths can be wide and well-worn or single-track and requiring uninterrupted attention. 2026 STANDINGS (TO BE PUBLISHED ONE WEEK AFTER THE FIRST EVENT) For corrections for to 2026 standings, contact USATF-NE MUT Chair Kim Gordon at kgordon@usatfne.org
2026 Schedule (as of January 20)
Sleepy Hollow, VT: Confirmed, May 3 https://sleepyhollowmtnrace.com/
Pack Mondanock, NH: Confirmed, May 16 https://www.gatecity.org/pack-monadnock-10-miler/
Wachusett: Confirmed, Saturday, May 23 https://wachusettmountainrace.com/ Sunapee Scramble, Mt.Sunapee, Newbury NH: Confirmed, June 7 https://six03endurance.com/sunapeescramble
Also serves as the 2026 USATF "Classic" (up-and-down) Mountain Running Championship usatf.org/events/2026/2026-usatf-mountain-running-championships Mt.Ascutney, VT Confirmed, Race Date TBA http://teamampactive.org/
Loon Mountain, Lincoln NH: Confirmed, July 12 https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=130991
https://six03endurance.com/loonmountainrace
Mt.Greylock, MA: Confirmed, August 30 https://berkshirerun.org/greylock-road-race/
Waterville Valley NH Confirmed, September 20 https://www.acidoticracing.com/waterville-valley-mountain-race
Mt. Cranmore, North Conway NH: Confirmed, October 17 https://www.acidoticracing.com/cranmore-mountain-race
USATF New England Mountain Circuit Rules and Scoring Runners score points based on their time as a percentage of the winner's overall time, making every second count! For example, a winning time of 41:08 gets 100.00 points; a time of 42:21 is worth 97.13, and 1:20:32 gets 51.08 (the winning time being just about 50 percent of that runner's time). Women's scoring is based on 100.00 points for the first female finisher. A runner's top 6 of 9 races are totaled. SERIES / AWARDS SCORING ELIGIBILITY As a USATF-New England program, circuit scoring eligibility is limited to individuals who are USATF members SCORING ELIGIBILITY CUTOFF Because the primary goals of the series are to promote the sport of Mountain Running and encourage participation and membership in USATF, runners' scores for races they participate in will be counted in scoring only if they are a USATF member prior to the start of the second event in the circuit. To join or renew your USATF membership, go to usatf.org AWARDS: The circuit awards special T-shirts to "Mountain Goats" - USATF members who complete a minimum of six circuit races. Mt. Washington Road Race Bypass Policy – 2026 Circuit
Please be advised there have been some significant changes to the Mt. Washington Road Race this year. Runners who complete 6 of the 9 2026 Mountain Series races will be eligible – but not guaranteed – a bypass entry to the Mt. Washington Road Race 2027.
This season, for the first time, the circuit has a cap on the total number of bypasses available. This is a larger allocation than we have needed in past years and, barring unforeseen circumstances, we do expect to have a bypass for every ‘Mountain Goat’. However, in the event of unprecedented demand by increased participation in 2026, priority will be given as follows:
Runners who complete all 9 races
Runners who complete 8 races
Runners who complete 7 races
Runners who complete 6 races
If, for example, 100 runners complete all 9 races and we have fewer than 100 bypasses, those runners will be entered into a drawing for the available spots. If bypasses remain, the same process will apply to runners completing 8, then 7, then 6 races. The drawing will take place the week following the final race (Cranmore, October 17).
Note: This drawing is separate from the Mt. Washington Road Race Random Selection lottery.
All those that receive a bypass link must still pay the MWRR Entry Fee to be entered in the race itself.
Link to 2025 Standings Link to 2024 Standings Link to 2023 standings
The circuit was founded by Dave Dunham and continues under current USATF-NE Mountain / Trail Running chairman Kim Gordon. Dave still does the scoring for the series. Thanks for your interest in Mountain Running!