by Sapan Bhatt
 
I can’t think of a better race to start the year than the January Thaw. Coming off the holidays it’s a great opportunity to come together and see faces both new and familiar. 
 
This year's edition saw 22-degree crisp air and roads which were a bit slushy in spots. It’s fun to scroll back through old Thaw photos and see it’s truly a roll of the dice what type of weather we get. But that keeps it interesting.
 
Start of the 4.5-mile race, you’re working to catch your breath in the cold. I found the strip of asphalt in the middle to be the most stable. I took the liberty of going a little bit into the road on the first climb. I received a supportive honk from a plow truck and was amused at the sight he was about to see of a herd of runners coming up the hill.

The road in mile 2 has a camber that would make Sugarloaf blush. The bit of downhill was a welcome reprieve from the initial climb. Mile 3 is always the trickiest. It’s a steady climb instead of one big hill to punch up. I kept looking at my feet as Billy and I slogged through it. 
 
The next thing I knew, I saw Lindsay shouting encouragement and directing the turn down that big hill to start Mile 4. The slush made the road a bit more precarious than years past, but offered a fun ride. My favorite view on the course was where Alicia was perched taking our great race photos. That sweeping view of the horizon before you make the last turn back into the school road, amazes me every time. It was especially pretty this year with the wind whipping snow into the air.
 
The after event was a lot of fun. I especially enjoyed getting photos with Ian and his penguin suit and chatting with fellow racers. Many thanks to all the volunteers, our race director Ron, volunteer coordinator Tom, and especially Julie for crafting such beautiful penguin trophies. Here’s to a great year of running for all!

Want to run to the top of the highest peak in the Northeast? Then sign up today for the lottery to participate in the 2026 Mount Washington Road Race on Saturday, June 27. Getting into the race will be more difficult this year though. The number of race participants has been cut to 500 and the club’s lottery bypass slots have been cut to just two. Four club volunteers are needed in exchange for those two bypass bibs. 

Lottery and Two Bypass Bibs
The Mount Washington lottery for Random Selection Registration is open now through Monday, February 23. If you want to race, sign up for the lottery by February 23rd. Race officials will send out selection/rejection emails February 26. 

If you get in via the lottery you won't need a bypass slot—excellent! However, if you're rejected and would like to be considered for a bypass registration, please email me, Mark Fisher ([email protected]). Since the opportunity to enter is much more limited,  I will defer the club's two lottery bypasses to club members with the longest annual participation in the Mount Washington race.

Four Volunteers Needed
In exchange for two bypass bibs, Central Maine Striders needs to supply four volunteers on Friday, June 26, to help with parking during bib pickup. If you want to volunteer on behalf of the club please let me know.

The Central Maine Striders team has been a continual part of the historic Mount Washington Road Race. The 7.6-mile, all-uphill run has drawn thousands of runners from around the globe to make the grueling 4,650-vertical feet climb to the summit. 

Please let me know if you have questions.  Thank you!
—Mark Fisher ([email protected])
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• 2026 Mount Washingto Road Race Info
• Renew your 2026 Striders membership to be eligible for bypass consideration
• Read Mark's 2025 Mount Washington race report