After a seven year break while the access roads to Mt. Greylock got a much needed overhaul, the Mt. Greylock Roller Ski and Roller Blade races are back. The event, a benefit for the Northern Berkshire Special Olympics, will be held on Sunday, October 18th, at 10:00 A.M. beginning at the Mt. Greylock Visitors’ Center in Lanesboro, MA. Brought to you by the Berkshire Nordic Ski Club, Berkshire Outfitters and FasterSkier.com the race will prove to be a great fall workout and a blast… after all there is just one hill, it just happens to be 8 miles long.
![Aerial view of the top of Mount Greylock](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/10/mtgrey-summit.jpg" "Aerial view of the top of Mount Greylock")
The challenging race features an eight mile climb that finishes at the summit of Mt. Greylock, Massachusetts’ highest peak with an elevation of 3,491 ft. The race is freestyle technique (roller bladers welcome) and athletes will be greeted at the finish with a gorgeous view of New England, post-race refreshments, and awards and raffle prizes.
This year the event will benefit the Northern Berkshire Special Olympics and will honor Special Olympian Jenna Montgomery, a 15 year old resident of North Adams who competed in the World Special Olympics in Boise, Idaho in 2008.
The race is the brainchild of Steve Blazejewski, owner of Berkshire Outfitters. “After many years we had to discontinue the race after 2002 because the condition of the roads to Mt. Greylock were extremely dangerous for roller skiing. Now that the access roads have been newly paved and graded, we are excited to reestablish the race and hopefully attract a wide range of year-round Nordic skiers and in-line skaters,” stated Blazejewski. “We also want to recognize our local Olympian Jenna Montgomery and to garner support for the Special Olympics.”
Helmets are required for all athletes. Day of race registration begins at 8:45 AM at the Visitors’ Center (located on Rockwell Road, off North Main St.). Cost of participation is $15 on the NENSA website or at the Berkshire Outfitters in Adams, MA through Friday October 16th and $20 on race day. For insurance purposes, NENSA membership is required – a $5 donation to NENSA is requested for all non NENSA members. For more information, please contact Berkshire Outfitters at (413) 743-5900.
Register online on the NENSA website.
![Williams College Nordic Ski Team during a recent workout up Mount Greylock.](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/10/imgp4905.jpg" "Williams College Nordic Ski Team during a recent workout up Mount Greylock.")
