There are some trail races where the event description almost sounds like the race director is trying to tell you to NOT sign up.
That seems to be the case with the brutal Mozo Double Up.
The event description from race organizer Ironwood Adventure Works talks about constant climbing and runners having “zero opportunity” to lose their focus. It talks about no-fall zones that can result in serious injury or death, “quad-busting” descents; and a course featuring some of the most technical terrain you can find.
If you’re the kind of twisted individual who thinks that sounds fun, then you can take on the Mozo Double Up course on August 16 in Stowe, Vermont. If you don’t this year, you won’t get a chance for another two years.
The Mozo Double Up is a rugged 11-mile trail race that climbs Mount Mansfield not once, but twice, packing in roughly 5,000 feet of vertical gain on some of the steepest, most technical terrain on Vermont’s highest peak.
The opporunity to run this course can be hard to come by. Because of the logistical challenges of putting on a race on such a difficult course, the race is only held every two years. Also, because it runs through fragile alpine tundra, the race is limited to only 70 participants.
The event is definitely not suited for inexperienced trail runners. And the race organizers try to make sure participants are experienced. Prospective participants must submit recent race results during registration. The organizers review qualifying performances to ensure every entrant has the experience necessary to safely navigate the course’s steep climbs, exposed ridgelines, and technical descents.
The race also has a rain date. While most trail races take place even in the rain, the steep, technical terrain along the Mozo Double Up could make for dangerous, slippery conditions if it rains. That’s why organizers have penciled in August 23 as a potential rain date.
