While most graduation parties fit neatly in the family backyard, Eli Lemire, a 2024 graduate of John Stark Regional High School in Weare, took his to the highest peak in New England. Lemire had run in previous Mount Washington Road Races and planned to again this summer.

His dad mentioned that Eli’s graduation coincided with this year’s race, so what started as a joke soon took off as an event in the making. After an arduous race up Mount Washington, Eli received his diploma at the race awards ceremony in June. He also got the loudest cheers of the day and was handed his diploma by Joseph Gray, a world champion runner from Colorado who considers New Hampshire his second home.

The moment illustrated many points about the Delta Dental Mountain Challenge: Anything is possible, it’s built for a wide range of runners, and while the way up sure is hard, you can’t beat the view.

The Delta Dental Mountain Challenge, now in its third year, highlights mountain races in New Hampshire and Vermont. It includes six races: the Pack Monadnock 10-miler, the Ascutney Mountain Run, the Mount Washington Road Race, the Loon Mountain Race, the Race the Cog and the Race to the Top of Vermont. That final race in Vermont is coming up later this month.

The Challenge was introduced in 2022, alongside Race the Cog, an event where runners start at Marshfield Base Station and race against the Cog Railway as it climbs the side of Mount Washington. In that first year, Gray was the only participant to beat the fastest train, while elite runner Christin Doneski of Hopkinton was the first woman in its initial race. Since then, the Challenge has expanded and cash prizes have been added.

Runners in general use tough runs as a metaphor for life. The mountains play into that well. There’s no easy run when you are climbing uphill. But the joy of reaching the summit on a Sunday will leave you feeling untouchable on Monday.

With that confidence, life’s obstacles will seem more manageable.

“I love doing mountain races. It helps you to conquer all the other hard things in life. because they are hard. And doing hard things trains your brain to tolerate the discomfort which, I believe, helps you to conquer all other things in life.” said Amber Ferreira of Concord.

Living near New England’s stunning mountain ranges is a blessing, offering beautiful panoramic views in every weather condition. Participating in mountain races allows us to embrace the ever-changing elements, finding beauty in rain, wind or sunshine – even in challenging conditions like the Mount Washington Road Race, where fierce winds are expected (as I noticed this past June as I was literally holding onto my face for the final mile of the race, heading into 40 mph winds). Sometimes as we run in these tough conditions our goals change and we get a lesson in adaptability.

The best thing about the running community – and true of the mountain racing circuit as well – is that we are all so supportive of one another, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. We span a range of ages, professions and skill levels, from beginners to elites, veterans and teenagers. Through our shared love of running and challenging ourselves, we form strong friendships and take great pride in others’ successes.

This year has been marked by inspiring moments, such as Ferriera achieving podium success and setting the top women’s time for N.H. at the Mount Washington Race in June and then winning the Race the Cog from the opposite side of the mountain in August. Finn Kovar, my nephew, placed atop his age group at his first mountain race at Ascutney Mountain Run, while coach Rob Rothe led the Hopkinton High School cross country team to success at Loon, with some members placing top in their age groups. Matthew Clarner won his under-20 age group. Hopkinton/Contoocook was the most represented town at Loon Mountain Race this year.

“The Delta Dental Mountain Challenge at Loon Mountain was a great experience for our team, and we appreciate the opportunity; we look forward to the next race in the series, the Race to the Top of Vermont.” said Norm Goupil of Hopkinton.

Next up is the Race to the  Top of Vermont on Sunday. Gray, the record-holder from Colorado, is aiming to break the course record at the last race of the challenge, a 4.3-mile run up Stowe Mountain Resort.

Ferreira is also aiming high for Vermont.

“My goal for Vermont is to lean into the discomfort and get the most out of my body on the day,” she said. “I’m very excited for this race because last year I was pregnant, and so it turned into a little bit more of a fun run. This year I will really dig deep.”

The Race to the Top of Vermont is a manageable mountain race for all levels of people, touted as “the hardest race anyone can do!” It offers three categories – run, hike or bike – and like all DDMC races, it has a strong charity component, donating to the Catamount Trail System and Vermont Head Start. Plus, there will be exciting competition to watch, with many local runners being contenders in the DDMC.

Ellen Raffio, who lives in Bow with her family, is the Wellness Coordinator at Delta Dental.