The uphill race to Washeshu Peak, the U.S. Mountain Running (uphill) Championship and a Mountain Running World Cup race. Known as the Vertical Kilometer (VK) through 2024, renamed the Ascent in 2025.
Distance
5.8km
Elevation Gain
865m+
Race History
Winners and podiums of Ascent
2026
(June 19)(Ascent)
Men
1st
Patrick Kipngeno🇰🇪
0:37:59
Women
1st
Anna Gibson🇺🇸
0:43:15
3.6 miles / 2,840 ft up Washeshu Peak; both repeat
winners. Gibson edged Joyce Muthoni Njeru on the final
ladder.
2025
(June 20)(Ascent)
Men
1st
Christian Allen🇺🇸
0:23:49
Women
1st
Anna Gibson🇺🇸
0:27:32
Shortened to 2.15 miles / 1,800 ft due to gale-force
winds.
2024
(June 21)(Vertical Kilometer)
Men
1st
Patrick Kipngeno🇰🇪
0:36:11
Women
1st
Joyce Muthoni Njeru🇰🇪
0:45:39
Event record for Njeru; Mountain Running World Cup
season-opener.
2023
(June 16)(Vertical Kilometer)
Men
1st
Andrea Rostan🇮🇹
0:39:51
Women
1st
Anna Gibson🇺🇸
0:47:09
Run almost entirely on snow.
2022
(June 17)(Vertical Kilometer)
Men
1st
Cam Smith🇺🇸
0:42:25
Women
1st
Allie McLaughlin🇺🇸
0:48:46
2021
(Vertical Kilometer)
Men
1st
Darren Thomas🇺🇸
0:45:08
Women
1st
Allie McLaughlin🇺🇸
0:54:24
Held in the fall after the June edition was postponed.
2019
(June 21)(Vertical Kilometer)
Men
1st
Max King🇺🇸
0:42:46
Women
1st
Morgan Arritola🇺🇸
0:45:50
Women's event record.
2018
(June 15)(Vertical Kilometer)
Men
1st
Ryan Phebus🇺🇸
0:41:16
Women
1st
Morgan Arritola🇺🇸
0:46:04
First edition; women's course record.