Despite heat wave, ’24 Hours of Great Glen’ draws more than 400 endurance racers

Riders were required to have two sources of light in the 24 Hours of Great Glen mountain bike race. (Great Glen Trails/Joe Viger)

Jeremiah Macrae-Hawkins, one of the Mount Washington Valley’s most avid bikers and racers, took the top spot in last weekend’s “Moat Mountain 24 Hours of Great Glen” at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road, completing 24 laps (216 miles) in just over 24 hours. 

More than 400 endurance racers rode their mountain bikes around the Great Glen Trails system, a popular network of carriage roads and technical singletrack at the base of Mount Washington, N.H., on a nine-mile loop.  The top female solo rider was Jessica Nankman, from Hellertown, Penn., who rode 16 laps (144 miles) in 22 hours, 8 minutes.

The 24-hour race, which also features a 12-hour option, was held annually starting in 1996. It returned in 2021, following a five-year hiatus (plus another year due to COVID).

Heat and high humidity were challenging factors at this year’s race. Temperatures soared into the high 80s with a heat index into the 90s. Competitors challenged themselves as either a solo rider, or a team of two, four, or five on the course throughout the Great Glen Trails network.

Participants hailed from all New England states, as well as Washington D.C., Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, Texas, and Virginia. 

“I’d like to personally thank all the hard working staff, volunteers, local sponsors and of course the bike racing community for making this race such a highlight of my summer.” Nate Harvey, program director at Great Glen Trails and co-director of the race, said. “The rugged course with bumps, 90-degree heat, roots, berms, and a floating bridge rode so fast and so tight for the entire event.” 

For full results and information about riders, visit the race website: greatglentrails.com/24_hogg. Race organizers will be working over the coming months to decide the potential of continuing this annual esteemed race.