Thank you for taking an interest in the Northeast Delta Dental Race To The Top Of Vermont. We are extremely excited to be headed into our 18th year in 2024! The Catamount Trail Association organizes the Race To The Top as a fundraiser and invites you to challenge yourself by hiking, running, or biking up the highest mountain in Vermont. So, double down on those hill workouts and Sign Up Today.
Event Schedule
Wednesday, August 21st
Online Registration Closes At Midnight.
Saturday, August 24th
4:00pm-6:00pm: Late Registration & Packet Pickup at the Toll House Conference Center in Stowe (Map).
Sunday, August 25th - RACE DAY
7:30-8:30am: Late Registration for all categories at the Toll House Conference Center in Stowe (Map).
7:30-10:00am: Packet Pickup at the Toll House Conference Center in Stowe (Map).
9:00am: Race Start RUN/HIKE
10:00am: Race Start BIKE
11:30am: LUNCH
12:00pm: Kids Fun Run
12:30pm: Delta Dental Mountain Challenge Awards
1:00pm: Race To The Top Awards/Raffle
Online Registration Closes At Midnight.
Saturday, August 24th
4:00pm-6:00pm: Late Registration & Packet Pickup at the Toll House Conference Center in Stowe (Map).
Sunday, August 25th - RACE DAY
7:30-8:30am: Late Registration for all categories at the Toll House Conference Center in Stowe (Map).
7:30-10:00am: Packet Pickup at the Toll House Conference Center in Stowe (Map).
9:00am: Race Start RUN/HIKE
10:00am: Race Start BIKE
11:30am: LUNCH
12:00pm: Kids Fun Run
12:30pm: Delta Dental Mountain Challenge Awards
1:00pm: Race To The Top Awards/Raffle
Event Details
Race Packet Pickup
Packet Pickup will take place on Saturday from 4-6pm at the Toll House Conference Center in Stowe (Map), and on Sunday from 7:30am-10:00am at the Toll House Conference Center at Stowe Mountain Resort (Map).
Race Day Registration
Late registration will be available on Saturday from 4-6pm at the Toll House Conference Center in Stowe (Map), and on Sunday from 7:30am-8:30am at the Toll House Conference Center at Stowe Mountain Resort (Map). Late registration will only be available if the event has not reached capacity. Race Day Registration will not be available after 8:30am.
Bike Restrictions
All bikes must have non-slick tires and disc or side-pull/V-type brakes. Bikes with center-pull cantilever or caliper brakes will not be allowed. All cyclists must wear a helmet and bikes must have two working brakes. Acceptable bikes include mountain, fat, cyclocross, and gravel focused models.
If you have questions about the bike restrictions, or have a bike that you feel is acceptable, but doesn’t fall exactly within our legal parameters please contact the race director ([email protected]) to make your case.
E-Bikes
E-bikes are allowed at the Race To The Top. This is a non-competitive participation category similar to the hiking option. Outside of this event no bikes of any kind are allowed on the Mansfield Toll Road. So, this is a unique opportunity to ride up and down Vermont's highest summit!
Auto Pass to Summit Finish Area
Due to a lack of space at the summit parking lot, limited personal support vehicles will be allowed at the finish area. To be allowed to drive up the mountain, drivers must acquire an Auto Summit Pass. The Auto Summit Passes will be distributed at the entrance of the Toll House parking lot before the start of the race. Vehicles will be allowed to drive up the mountain between 8:00-8:50 am. The gate closes at 8:50 sharp. All support vehicles must go directly to Summit Parking Lot B or the finish area parking lot prior to the start of the race and are required to wait until all of the participants have finished the course before descending. Typically, vehicles can begin descending around noon. There is no charge. 25 Auto summit passes will be available on a first come, first serve basis… please plan accordingly.
Other Things To Keep In Mind
Headphones and earbuds are prohibited during the event. Ski and trekking poles will not be allowed during the run, but can be used by hikers. Dogs are allowed, but will only be allowed to accompany hikers and must be kept on a leash at all times. Strollers and bike trailers are welcome. All we ask is that you respect the other participants and not interfere with their experience. All it takes is one negative interaction to force the addition of new restrictions.
Packet Pickup will take place on Saturday from 4-6pm at the Toll House Conference Center in Stowe (Map), and on Sunday from 7:30am-10:00am at the Toll House Conference Center at Stowe Mountain Resort (Map).
Race Day Registration
Late registration will be available on Saturday from 4-6pm at the Toll House Conference Center in Stowe (Map), and on Sunday from 7:30am-8:30am at the Toll House Conference Center at Stowe Mountain Resort (Map). Late registration will only be available if the event has not reached capacity. Race Day Registration will not be available after 8:30am.
Bike Restrictions
All bikes must have non-slick tires and disc or side-pull/V-type brakes. Bikes with center-pull cantilever or caliper brakes will not be allowed. All cyclists must wear a helmet and bikes must have two working brakes. Acceptable bikes include mountain, fat, cyclocross, and gravel focused models.
If you have questions about the bike restrictions, or have a bike that you feel is acceptable, but doesn’t fall exactly within our legal parameters please contact the race director ([email protected]) to make your case.
E-Bikes
E-bikes are allowed at the Race To The Top. This is a non-competitive participation category similar to the hiking option. Outside of this event no bikes of any kind are allowed on the Mansfield Toll Road. So, this is a unique opportunity to ride up and down Vermont's highest summit!
Auto Pass to Summit Finish Area
Due to a lack of space at the summit parking lot, limited personal support vehicles will be allowed at the finish area. To be allowed to drive up the mountain, drivers must acquire an Auto Summit Pass. The Auto Summit Passes will be distributed at the entrance of the Toll House parking lot before the start of the race. Vehicles will be allowed to drive up the mountain between 8:00-8:50 am. The gate closes at 8:50 sharp. All support vehicles must go directly to Summit Parking Lot B or the finish area parking lot prior to the start of the race and are required to wait until all of the participants have finished the course before descending. Typically, vehicles can begin descending around noon. There is no charge. 25 Auto summit passes will be available on a first come, first serve basis… please plan accordingly.
Other Things To Keep In Mind
Headphones and earbuds are prohibited during the event. Ski and trekking poles will not be allowed during the run, but can be used by hikers. Dogs are allowed, but will only be allowed to accompany hikers and must be kept on a leash at all times. Strollers and bike trailers are welcome. All we ask is that you respect the other participants and not interfere with their experience. All it takes is one negative interaction to force the addition of new restrictions.
Course Details
Stats
Distance – 4.3 miles
Elevation Gain – 2564 feet (average grade ~11%)
Fastest Men's Time – Erik Levinsohn | Boston, MA | 30:01.9 | BIKE-2019
Fastest Women's Time – Liz Stephen | Montpelier, VT | 37:15.9 | RUN-2014
The Course
The course is 4.3 miles long and climbs 2,564 vertical feet on the famous Mt. Mansfield Toll Road to the summit parking lot. The racecourse begins with a 0.3 mile section of pavement before changing to gravel and dirt for the last 4 miles. The first 2.7 miles is well shaded while the last 1.6 miles opens up with spectacular views of Smuggler’s Notch and the surrounding Green Mountains. The course begins at an elevation of 1279 ft and climbs to the summit parking lot at 3843 ft. Racers will experience a steady incline averaging ~11 percent over the length of the course. At the summit finish area, participants will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful views in New England overlooking multiple states and Canada.
Water Stations
There will be two water stations. One at the ~2.7 mile mark and another at the finish line. Participants are urged to include extra water or sports drink and food with your warm-up clothes, which can be dropped off at the starting line and will be delivered to the summit finish area. We are prepared to supply one quart of water per person, and we ask participants to please use the water for drinking only and not for bathing. There will be plenty of food and beverages starting at 11:30am at the base of the Toll Road.
Summit Weather Conditions
It can often be very windy at summit parking lot and finish area with summit temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than temps at the start. Please make sure you are prepared for the descent and have proper clothing. Prior to both starts a shuttle will be available to transport items to the finish. If interested in utilizing the shuttle please arrive at the starting area ~15 minutes early so you will have time to tag your gear and load it in the shuttle. Heat shields will be provided at the finish area upon request.
Distance – 4.3 miles
Elevation Gain – 2564 feet (average grade ~11%)
Fastest Men's Time – Erik Levinsohn | Boston, MA | 30:01.9 | BIKE-2019
Fastest Women's Time – Liz Stephen | Montpelier, VT | 37:15.9 | RUN-2014
The Course
The course is 4.3 miles long and climbs 2,564 vertical feet on the famous Mt. Mansfield Toll Road to the summit parking lot. The racecourse begins with a 0.3 mile section of pavement before changing to gravel and dirt for the last 4 miles. The first 2.7 miles is well shaded while the last 1.6 miles opens up with spectacular views of Smuggler’s Notch and the surrounding Green Mountains. The course begins at an elevation of 1279 ft and climbs to the summit parking lot at 3843 ft. Racers will experience a steady incline averaging ~11 percent over the length of the course. At the summit finish area, participants will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful views in New England overlooking multiple states and Canada.
Water Stations
There will be two water stations. One at the ~2.7 mile mark and another at the finish line. Participants are urged to include extra water or sports drink and food with your warm-up clothes, which can be dropped off at the starting line and will be delivered to the summit finish area. We are prepared to supply one quart of water per person, and we ask participants to please use the water for drinking only and not for bathing. There will be plenty of food and beverages starting at 11:30am at the base of the Toll Road.
Summit Weather Conditions
It can often be very windy at summit parking lot and finish area with summit temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than temps at the start. Please make sure you are prepared for the descent and have proper clothing. Prior to both starts a shuttle will be available to transport items to the finish. If interested in utilizing the shuttle please arrive at the starting area ~15 minutes early so you will have time to tag your gear and load it in the shuttle. Heat shields will be provided at the finish area upon request.
Please don't litter the natural landscape...
Leave no trace!
Summit Arctic Vegetation
The alpine vegetation of the Mt Mansfield summit area is very fragile. We ask that all participants stay in the designated finish area and off all exposed vegetation. If you would like to continue to the actual summit of Mt Mansfield, please stay on the marked trails located a short distance from the finish area.
Getting Down the Mountain
Remember that getting down from the summit finish area is your own responsibility. Participants may descend the mountain by vehicle, on foot, or by bike. Most runners descend on foot by hiking back down the Toll Road while cheering on the bikers.
Bikers will be allowed to descend the mountain but are required to remain behind an official pace rider throughout the entire descent. Official pace riders will leave on a regular basis. Any mountain biker who does not abide by these rules may be disqualified.
Hiker Support Vehicles
We will provide limited shuttle service for those hikers and racers who wish to have a ride down the mountain. The shuttle will not start its descent until the entire race is finished.
Thank You 2024 Event Sponsors!
This Event Is Made Possible With Support From:
This event is a fundraiser for the Catamount Trail Association and our chapters. Our chapters include the Dutch Hill Association Of Skiers & Hikers (DHASH), the Grateful Shreds, the Mad River Valley Backcountry Coalition (MRVBC), the Northeast Kingdom Backcountry Coalition (NEKBC), the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective, the Southern Vermont Trails Association (SoVTA), and the Western Mass Backcountry Alliance (WMBA).
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