Competing in Mount Marathon Race has been a 4th of July tradition for me since I was nine years old! This year was my final race in the junior division for 17 and under, where I raced to the junior turnaround halfway up Mount Marathon. Next year will bring new challenges as I race the full 5K all the way to the top for the first time, aiming to place in the top 50% of my category to secure a spot for the following year.

Race day couldn’t have been better! The clouds rolled in the night before, which left the mountain dry and free from slippery mud.

Mount Marathon used to be the highlight endurance event of my year. I used start thinking about this mountain race weeks in advance. It’s amazing to reflect on how much my life has changed since then. I’ve transitioned from competitive rock climbing to full-on endurance sport training and racing. Now, Mount Marathon is a fun, celebratory race, and just one of over 40 races and time trials I do annually. Despite my numerous events, it remains a highlight of my year! I get to feed off the excitement of hundreds of spectators who come to watch and celebrate. Plus, I get to race with the many friends I’ve made along my way.

This year, I changed my post-race routine. Instead of looking for vendor food to refuel and watching the men’s and women’s races from below, I packed some snacks and hurried back up the mountain. I hiked past the junior race turnaround point and kept on climbing to the top. An hour and a half after finishing my race, I reached the top of Mount Marathon just in time to watch the leader of the men’s race coming up behind me. It took me 1:02:00 to reach the top, whereas David Norris completed it in a record breaking 29:30. That’s around 3200 feet of elevation gain. (My race time to the halfway mark was 31:40). I found a spot to take out my snack and watched as the men’s race continued. It was inspiring to see these tough athletes running around the flagpole after hiking an entire mountain.

I am inspired by Matt Novakovich’s overall 25th place finish and his first-place win in the 50-59 age category. I have watched him train and commit himself to this goal for a year. He has been an incredible supporter of mine and witnessed my first few days on skis those years ago. He sets an example of what can be achieved when you commit yourself to a goal and believe in yourself.

Seeing men as old as 88 years old rounding the top made my hike back up worthwhile. I loved witnessing the joy on each racer’s face and their energy after reaching the summit. It was a truly special experience, one I am grateful to have had.

I am already looking forward to next year!