Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire – Friends of Tuckerman Ravine, a Conway, New Hampshire based non-profit organization, is celebrating the 20th running of the Tuckerman Inferno Pentathlon race presented by Burgeon Outdoor—to be held, after a one-year break, on March 20, 2021—with a reimagined format and course. The Tuckerman Inferno, an evolution of the original American Inferno ski races of the 1930s, will now consist of a 6-mile fat bike ride and a 6-mile freestyle cross country ski at Great Glen Trails; a 5-mile snowshoe from Great Glen Trails across Connie’s Way backcountry ski trail; and a 3+-mile mountain run up the Tuckerman Trail to Mount Washington’s Tuckerman Ravine. The final leg is a ski/snowboard mountaineering race with a giant slalom component in and/or around Tuckerman Ravine. Skiers and snowboarders will continue down the Sherburne ski trail to a finish at the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.
To mark the 2nd decennial, FOTR has reimagined the race as a celebration of the winter sports available on Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. The new format moves the event off of public roads and onto the eastern slopes of Mount Washington. Up to 600 athletes will compete–solo, or in relay teams–for a one-thousand-dollar cash prize, plus various additional prizes, and a chance to become the next Tuckerman or Tuckerwoman champion.
Two classes of racers will be available this year: solos and relay teams of 2, 3, 4 or 5 people. The solo registration fee is $200.00 and the team registration fee is $500.00. Online registration is available for 30 days at www.friendsoftuckermanravine.org. Registration is capped at 200 bib numbers and opens February 20th, 2021.
Race registration and bib pick-up will begin at Ragged Mountain Equipment, in Intervale, on Friday, March 19, 2021, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.. Ledge Brewing Company, also in Intervale, NH, is hosting the outdoor awards gathering, carefully following COVID-19 protocols, starting at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 20, 2021.
FOTR is following the Governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force COVID-19 Reopening Guidance for Road Races. Spectators are welcome at any and all transition points and are asked to follow physical distancing guidance and remain spaced 6 feet or more apart, not approach racing participants, and avoid physical contact with participants (i.e. no high-fives). Maps will be available on Friday evening and on the website.
