Vertical Mile Challenge

History
Jimmy Ballard and Doug Dawkins went hiking on the Appalachian Trail in Vermont in 2011.
They hiked south from Hanover, N.H. into New York State.
Somewhere in Vermont during the countless PUDS (AT talk for pointless ups and downs) Jimmy wondered if we had been a vertical mile and in fatigued and deranged humor said something like “Wouldn’t it be something to put on a run where the whole idea was to do a vertical mile in the shortest distance possible?” 5280 feet up and 5280 feet down! It took a while to find the right location, but with the help of Rick French, this is that event. If you’re looking for a few hours of pure challenge this is your place.

The Vertical Mile Challenge Trail Race is not your average 16+ mile race. The course is approximately a 2-mile loop beginning and ending at the bottom of the rock face, which is directly behind the parking lot at Rocky Face Recreational Area. About a half-mile into the loop, there is a half-mile climb up Stairway to Heaven Trail. Stairway to Heaven Trail is an open rock face climb and at a 20 to 30 degree grade. This section of the course heats up as the temperature rises during the day. Some runners call this section the skillet because it is so hot…others call it brutal! At the top of the climb, runners turn left down Hollow Rocky Trail and it flows downhill to the top of the lower rock face. At this point, runners continue down a steep downhill section followed by 32 steps to the bottom and the end of the loop at the start/finish line. Runners must complete this loop 8 times for 16+ miles and a vertical mile up and a vertical mile down.

Vertical Mile Challenge Club

A Year-‘Round Challenge

1 Vertical Mile Challenge

Participants must complete 8 loops of the 2 mile trail,
a total of 16 miles/1 vertical mile.
Finishers will receive a free t-shirt and become an honorary member of The Vertical Mile Club.
1 Mile Finishers

5 Vertical Mile Challenge

Participants must complete 40 loops.
A total of 80 miles/5 vertical miles.
Finishers will receive a free long-sleeve VMC shirt.
5 Mile Finishers

10 Vertical Mile Challenge

Participants must complete 80 loops.
A total of 160 miles/10 vertical miles.
Finishers will receive a free short-sleeve VMC shirt and a sticker.
10 Mile Finishers

100 Lap Vertical Mile Challenge

Participants must complete 100 loops.
A total of 200 miles
Finishers will receive a plaque.
100 Lap Finishers

Participants must register at the Park Office and sign-in upon completing each loop.
For more details, please see a Park Attendant.