Pleasant Mountain Race

Pleasant Mountain Race takes place in Bridgton, Maine, on September 27, 2026. The event is a single 21K trail race, roughly 13 miles or a half marathon on trails, run on Pleasant Mountain.

A half marathon on a mountain is a very different effort from 13.1 miles on pavement. The distance is the same, but the climbing and the technical footing mean you should plan on a considerably slower pace than your road half, and you will use your quads on the descents in ways road running never asks of them. It is a good target for a runner who has completed a road half and wants to move onto trails, or for trail runners looking for a fall race in New England without committing to an ultra. Twelve weeks of preparation with weekly hill repeats, a long run on trails with real elevation change and some downhill running to condition your legs will make race day far more enjoyable. Poles are not usually needed for this distance, but a small pack with water and a layer for the summit is a sensible idea.