The psychology of running a race like this is very difficult. Three-time Mt. Washington winner Dave Dunham of Bradford, Mass., is one of the country's best mountain runners. He has always claimed that the psychology of never getting a break from running uphill is harder than the physical component. You might think this is such a difficult challenge that only a few would undertake it. More than 1,000 runners are expected to head for the highest elevation point in the Northeast next Saturday, and the field would be larger if the roads could handle it.
Every year there is a lottery to determine most of the entries and thousands are turned away.
The runners come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from teens to those in their 80s. Some elite runners have taken part. Boston Marathon champions Jackie Garreau and Joan Benoit Samuelson have competed as well as a local favorite, two-time Olympian Cathy O'Brien. On the men's side, there have been some top notch runners from all over the world, specifically Kenya. This year should be no exception.