Torrington Road Race 2026

Why We Run

The Hillacious Half was created to honor our military — to thank them and ensure their sacrifices are never taken for granted. The course is intentionally tough, representing the effort and endurance our service members face every day, often far from their families. This is a bare bones race with no prize money and no frills — just grit, sweat, and the satisfaction of finishing one of the toughest courses around.

All proceeds after race expenses go into a fund to support local military personnel and families who need a helping hand. Funds are distributed directly through the Hillacious Half, never to large agencies. Both the first-place male and female finishers have their names engraved on perpetual trophies housed at the Morgan-Weir American Legion Post 27 in Litchfield.

We run this race in honor of those who serve and have served — carrying their strength with us up every hill.

Dog Tags

For an additional cost, participants and supporters can honor a veteran or service member with a personalized dog tag:

• Runners: Add a tag during registration for $10.

• Supporters (non-runners): Order a tag for $20.

• Each tag is engraved with your veteran’s name and any additional info that fits.

• Order by Oct 28 to have your tag ready for race day.

• By wearing a dog tag, you bring that person “with you” on the course. It may be the motivation you need to conquer the next hill — and you keep it as a lasting honorarium.

Race Options

Half Marathon (Solo)

13.1 miles of no-nonsense toughness. No medals, no prize money — just sweat and pride.

2-Person Relay

Two legs (~6–7 miles each). Separate timing and awards.

4-Mile Walk (Timed)

Same course start, then loops back for ~4 miles. Starts after all runners (~10:05 A.M.). Includes all runner amenities — yes, a beer at the finish.

Proceeds & Impact

100% of proceeds after expenses are held in a local fund for military members and families needing a helping hand.

Funds are distributed directly by Hillacious Half, not via agencies.

Beyond financial aid, your food and coat donations support local pantries and shelters.

About

This year we are changing our format and limiting the fall races to short(er)distances: 8K (5 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles).The start times are staggered by distance:8K starts at 10 AM.5K starts at 10:10 AM.The Tunxis Trail Races are challenging, technical trail races through the Tunxis Trail system in Burlington, CT. The Tunxis Trail is part of the Blue Blazed hiking trail system managed by Connecticut Forest and Parks Association. We, the Burlington Land Trust, is holding the race as a fundraiser. The courses consist of lovely double track, single track, half track, off track, a little bit of road and maybe some prickers, if we don’t get to brush hogging some bits of the trail. The 8K and and 8K courses take you to many of the “world famous” landmarks of Burlington trails: The CT State Trout Hatchery, Nassahegan State Forest, and Devil’s Kitchen.

Event's current local time: 4:26 AM ET

...the

"prove yourself right about you"

Endurance Event Series where the only competitor is yesterday's you.

💬 "Don't let the word Hike fool ya, these are trail runs you will power-hike for sure!"

Elena S. — IronHike Kuwohi Finisher.

IronHike Mountain Athlete on self-powered elevation endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain Cornwall CT IronHike Mountain Athletes forming a new Tribe on multi-day vertical endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain CT IronHike Mountain Athlete earning every descent on elevation endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain Cornwall CT

Not Sure Where to Start? Start Here. 🎯

Your first summit or the hardest endurance Event on Earth.

Both live here.

IronHike is a veteran-owned elevation-based endurance event series and New England's premier vertical trail endurance event series. No gondola, no shortcuts. Earn every up and every down. The self-powered Everesting alternative on the East Coast. You earn every descent.

If you've done 5Ks, half marathons, or weekend hikes and keep asking what's next — this is what's next. No running required. If you can walk up a mountain repeatedly, you can do this.

You won't go up alone. The Tribe is already there — at 2 AM, at the base, on the trail. Shared suffering builds something that finish-line medals don't.

💰 Individual registrations from $145.

Veterans, Military & First Responders from $75 with code brave70.

All athletes get $50 off with code reg50.

💬 "The descent is harder than the climb. The mental battle is the real deal."

Denali Participant, 2024.

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IronHike Mountain Athlete pushing personal limits on self-powered vertical endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain CT IronHike Mountain Athletes on multi-day elevation endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area Cornwall CT IronHike Mountain Athlete earning every vertical foot on veteran-owned endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain CT

🍂 Fall 2026 | When and Where

For four days, October 1-4, 2026, we rent Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall, Connecticut, so you can conquer IronHike. Fall in the Litchfield Hills means peak foliage, crisp mountain air, covered bridges draped in color, and farm-to-table harvests minutes from the mountain. October is when the mountain is at its most dramatic, and so is the Mountain Athlete in you.

📍 Mohawk Mountain Ski Area46 Great Hollow Rd, Cornwall, Connecticut

🗓️ October 1-4, 2026Multi-day vertical trail endurance Event

🚗 Under 2.5 Hours from NYC & BostonShort drive. Hard mountain.

✈️ Nearest AirportsBradley Int'l (BDL) 45 min · Westchester (HPN) 60 min · JFK/LGA/EWR 90 min

🏨 Stay NearbyCornwall Inn, Litchfield Inn, and B&Bs in the Litchfield Hills within 15 minutes

⛺ Tenting On-MountainIncluded with registration. Stay close to the action.

🧭 Join a Tribe of Mountain Athletes from 29 states and 3 countries.

✅ What's Included in Your Fall 2026 Registration

⛺ Tenting space on-mountain. Included for you and up to 6 spectators at no extra charge.

🔥 Base area support station. Shade, fire pit, hydration, snacks, and Tribe camaraderie.

🏅 Personalized event bibs, summit tokens, finisher's medals, and hats.

📋 Custom training plans. Designed by Chaski Endurance Collective.

🏔️ Exclusive Mohawk Mountain access. For athletes, teams, and spectators.

🚑 Ski patrol medical support. On-mountain throughout the Event.

📞 Mountain Athlete Tribe community calls. Pre-event preparation and post-event connection.

🅿️ Free parking, spectator areas, and restrooms at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area.

🤝 A new Tribe. Bragging rights. Proof.

IronHike Trail Family FlexRelay team on elevation endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain Connecticut IronHike Mountain Athlete pushing personal limits on self-powered endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain CT IronHike Mountain Athletes on multi-day vertical endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area Cornwall CT

💬 "One purpose: To crush that damn mountain. And we did."

Everest Finisher, 2025.

🗻 Choose Your Summit

👤 Solo. Go it alone, but surrounded by a Tribe.

👥 Trail Buddy. Partner up for shared endurance.

🏔️ Trail Family. A FlexRelay team of four tackling mileage and elevation together.

Each Event uses our FlexRelay format — self-managed pacing, no minimum laps per person. Some Events require night trekking by headlamp. The down is not a gift. You own every descent.

▲ Kuwohi — 12-Hour | 15 Miles | 7,140' | The entry point. Your first vertical endurance Event in Connecticut.

📅 IronHikers Away: Sat, Oct 3 @ Noon | Final Bell: Sat, Oct 3 @ Midnight

Claim Your Spot. 🎯

Solo Trail Buddy Trail Family

▲ Double Kuwohi — 24-Hour | 28+ Miles | 13,685' | A full day and night on the mountain.

📅 IronHikers Away: Sat, Oct 3 @ Noon | Final Bell: Sun, Oct 4 @ Noon

Claim Your Spot. 🎯

Solo Trail Buddy Trail Family

▲ Answer the Bell Ultra - Basic — 24-Hour | 28.8 Miles | 14,400' | Backyard ultra format on a real mountain.

📅 IronHikers Away: Sat, Oct 3 @ Noon | Final Bell: Sun, Oct 4 @ Noon

Claim Your Spot. 🎯

Solo

▲ Denali — 48-Hour | 43+ Miles | 20,825' | Two days, two nights, no shortcuts.

📅 IronHikers Away: Fri, Oct 2 @ Noon | Final Bell: Sun, Oct 4 @ Noon

Claim Your Spot. 🎯

Solo Trail Buddy Trail Family

▲ Everest — 72-Hour | 61+ Miles | 29,155' | The authentic self-powered Everesting alternative. The 29029 alternative where you earn every descent.

📅 IronHikers Away: Thu, Oct 1 @ Noon | Final Bell: Sun, Oct 4 @ Noon

Claim Your Spot. 🎯

Solo Trail Buddy Trail Family

▲ Answer the Bell Ultra - Full — 84-Hour | 100.8 Miles | 50,400' | On the hour. Every hour. Until you can't.

📅 IronHikers Away: Wed, Sept 30 @ Midnight | Final Bell: Sun, Oct 4 @ Noon

Claim Your Spot. 🎯

Solo

▲ Olympus Mons Ultra — 84-Hour | 152+ Miles | 72,590' | Named for the tallest volcano in the solar system. Recognized among the Top 4 Hardest Ultra Events in the World. Powered by Skratch Labs®.

📅 IronHikers Away: Wed, Sept 30 @ Midnight | Final Bell: Sun, Oct 4 @ Noon

Claim Your Spot. 🎯

Solo Trail Buddy Trail Family

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Choose Harder. Choose Your Summit

🏁 No podium. No records. No age group awards.

🪞 Your only competition: yesterday's version of you.

🔁 Summit, descend, repeat. Reach the elevation equivalent of your Event's namesake mountain. Self-manage your rest, pace, fuel, and hydration. That's all part of the journey.

Are you ready? This is IronHike. Choose harder. Find your Tribe.

💬 "If you want glamping, go somewhere else. IronHike is for the gritty."

Olympus Mons Athlete, 2025.

IronHike Mountain Athlete earning every vertical foot on self-powered elevation endurance Event Mohawk Mountain CT IronHike Mountain Athletes on veteran-owned multi-day endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain Cornwall Connecticut IronHike Mountain Athlete pushing personal limits on elevation gain endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain CT USA

💬 "I thought I was signing up for an ultra. I ended up finding my Tribe."

Patty M. — IronHike Denali Athlete.

Curious about Spring 2026? 💡 Take a look.

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IronHike Mountain Athlete on multi-day vertical endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain Cornwall Connecticut IronHike Mountain Athlete summit moment on multi-day endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain Cornwall Connecticut IronHike Mountain Athlete pushing personal limits on self-powered elevation endurance Event at Mohawk Mountain CT

💡 What to Know

Mountain Athletes' Guide — Mohawk Mountain

Everything you need to know about the course, the venue, training, gear, and what to expect on the mountain. Read it before you arrive.

📖 Read the Mountain Athletes' Guide

The FlexRelay Format

At IronHike we use a FlexRelay format for each of our Events. We call them FlexRelays because they are flexible. Each team member, whether in the Trail Buddy or Trail Family event, has no minimum or maximum laps, mileage, elevation, or time on the course. Teams manage who is on the mountain for how long and when, according to conditions, fitness levels, and the needs of the team.

Common Questions

Do I need to be a runner? No. IronHike is a hiking Event. If you can walk up a mountain repeatedly and keep moving, you can do this. Running is never required.

What if I can't finish? Every lap is earned. There is no shame in stopping. Every Mountain Athlete sets their own ceiling — the Event ends when you decide it ends, or when the Final Bell rings.

Cancellations, Deferrals & Transfers

Policy: No refunds, deferrals, or transfers between series. Upon request, you may receive an 80% credit toward any future event (no expiration). All sales final.

We do not offer refunds or deferrals. However, if you are unable to attend your registered event, we can provide a single-use coupon for 80% off any future registration with no expiration date. The remaining 20% acts as a change fee to help cover overhead and processing fees. Transfers within the same series are allowed on a case-by-case basis.

Course Details — Mohawk Mountain

Mohawk Mountain is a Cornwall, Litchfield County, Connecticut ski area built on the northwest slope of Mohawk Mountain by Walt Schoenknecht in 1947. Full History ↗

Trail: Up and down Mohawk Mountain ski trail | Lap Distance: 1.25 miles | Elevation Gain/Loss per Lap: 595 feet

Summit Distance: 0.625 mi | Descent Distance: 0.625 mi | Basecamp Elevation: 920 ft | Summit Elevation: 1,600 ft

Primary Airport: Bradley International (BDL) — 1 hr 4 min (44.5 miles)

Drive Times: Hartford, CT 1 hr | Springfield, MA 1 hr 16 min | New York City 2 hr 20 min | Boston, MA 2 hr 35 min

Drone Policy ↗ | Lodging ↗ | Outdoor Activities ↗ | Dining ↗ | Shopping ↗ | Leaf Peeping ↗

📸 View Event Photos

IronHike Endurance Productions

Who We Are

IronHike Endurance Productions is a veteran-owned endurance event series and US Army veteran endurance event producer. A military veteran endurance event series built on US Army veteran leadership and Appalachian Trail culture. Personal transformation endurance event series rooted in shared suffering and a Tribe of limit pushers. US Military veteran built, owned, and operated.

What Makes Us Different

No gondola, no shortcuts. Self-powered Everesting, earned one lap at a time. Earn every foot of elevation on the way up and the way down. The authentic Everesting alternative on the East Coast. Not a race endurance event. No podium. You vs you mountain event. Prove yourself right.

The Events

Seven elevation-based endurance events from 12 to 84 hours. FlexRelay format: solo or team participation. Vertical gain from 7,140 to 72,590 feet. Backyard ultra on a mountain. Last one standing elevation format. The 29029 Everesting alternative. Barkley Marathons alternative. The hardest endurance hiking event USA.

The Place

IronHike Fall 2026 takes place October 1-4 at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall, Connecticut. Cornwall Connecticut endurance event in the Litchfield Hills. Self-powered Everesting Connecticut fall. Everesting New England October 2026. Elevation endurance event Connecticut fall. Multi-day mountain endurance event fall foliage. Mohawk Mountain endurance event October 2026. Endurance hiking event USA.

US Military Veteran built, owned, and operated. 🇺🇸

Trail-proven and tribe-approved. 🥾

All rights reserved by IronHike Endurance Productions, LLC. © 2023 thru 2026. ⚖️