Mount Washington 2022 Race Report

by Mark Fisher

The Central Maine Striders were well represented at this year’s Mount Washington Road Race.  The race resumed a single day event with a mass start and all were anticipating a great edition to the summit climb in 2022. 

Mother Nature had other plans.  For the second time in the race’s history, the organizers made the decision to halt the race at the halfway point in the interest of runner, volunteer and driver safety.  The conditions at the top of the mountain Saturday were air temperature of ~30 degrees, sustained 60-70 mph winds with gusts to 100 mph.  Sleet and snow and a wind chill of 0-10 degrees.  Nice balmy summer weather.

​The race was quite comfortable with heavy mist and light rainfall for the duration of the race with the occasional gust of wind, patches of sun and back again.  It was at about 3.5 miles when the wrath of the mountain made its initial appearance. The rain/mist mix began to approach a horizontal orientation and it was abundantly clear the organizers of the race made the right choice.  

​Following a quad busting walk, jog and amble down the mountain another successful MTWRR was in the books.  

Ron Paquette and Dean Rasmussen were able to complete their 39th race in a row. Remarkable achievements. 
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I want to thank in particular the volunteers for this year's event.  We shifted from our multiyear Saturday tradition of trash pickup (no jokes here please) to Friday registration parking duty.  The weather was pleasant and it was enjoyable to ensure safe entry, parking and exit for all the runners and support people.  
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Linda Fisher
Beth Keller
Greg Keller
Jon Chapin
Patrick Guerette
Mark Fisher
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This is a unique and wonderful event and the organizers again did a great job (we all still feel that additional porta potties would be an excellent idea).   

Striders running this year (in no particular order):

Ron Paquette
Dean Rasmussen
John McGinty
Chris Chadwick
Jon Chapin
Patrick Guerette
Mark Fisher
Greg Keller
Mike Lansing