For the last decade, the Climb to the Castle has been a fall staple in northeastern New York. It’s been a circled on the calendars of the U.S. Ski Team and US Biathlon national team almost every year since its inception and attracts 75 to 100 no-joke skiers to Wilmington (near Lake Placid, N.Y.) each year.
Following the 10th annual rollerski race up Whiteface Mountain’s toll road, a five-mile grind with an average 8 percent grade, we thought it would be worth looking at course records and some of the climb’s legendary winners.
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Most wins: Liz Stephen (5), Duncan Douglas (3)
Course records: Duncan Douglas (34:56.6) 2007, Liz Stephen (41:50) 2014
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2007:
Date: Oct. 13
Notes: sunny/cold; 25 degrees F
Men’s top 3:
- Duncan Douglas (34:56.6)
- Kris Freeman (37:09.1)
- Noah Hoffman (38:38.9)
Women’s top 3:
- Liz Stephen (47:22.9)
- Morgan Arritola (47:48.8)
- Dorcas Wonsavage (49:12.7)
2008:
Date: Oct. 6
Notes: *Shortened course; athletes did not reach summit because of snow.
Men:
- Duncan Douglas (32:26.44*)
- Kris Freeman (34:22.90*)
- Noah Hoffman (36:56.87*)
Women:
- Caitlin Compton (45:19.91*)
- Morgan Arritola (45:27.89*)
- Liz Stephen (45:52.83*)
2009:
Date: Oct. 7
Men:
- Taylor Fletcher (39:11.54)
- Nick Hendrickson (39:25.40)
- Kris Freeman (39:49.97)
Women:
- Morgan Arritola (50:54.85)
- Liz Stephen (51:09.57)
- Ida Sargent (51:23.85)
2010:
Date: Oct. 8
Notes: Clear weather
Men:
- Kris Freeman (38:37)
- Noah Hoffman (39:16)
- Ben Sim (40:32)
Women:
- Laura Spector (46:58)
- Morgan Arritola (48:02)
- Liz Stephen (48:43)
2011:
Date: Sept. 17
Men:
- Kris Freeman (36:18)
- Tim Burke (36:29)
- Noah Hoffman (37:03)
Women:
- Liz Stephen (44:50)
- Ida Sargent (46:14)
- Tara Geraghty-Moats (47:43)
Womens’ report | Men’s report | Video | Photos
2012:
Date: Sept. 15
Men:
- Tad Elliott (39:28)
- Pat O’Brien (39:38)
- Julian Dorais (39:46)
Women:
- Liz Stephen (43:33)
- Jessie Diggins (48:38)
- Ida Sargent (48:55)
Women’s report | Men’s report | Notes & Quotes
2013:
Date: Sept. 15
Men:
- Tim Burke (37:13)
- Simi Hamilton (39:59)
- Karl Nygren (40:04)
Women:
- Liz Stephen (42:04)
- Caitlin Gregg (45:21)
- Ida Sargent (47:19)
2014:
Date: Sept. 6
Men:
- Tim Burke (38:19)
- Russell Currier (39:02)
- Welly Ramsey (40:01)
Women:
- Liz Stephen (41:50)
- Caitlin Gregg (45:25)
- Katharine Ogden (48:12)
2015:
Date: Sept. 20
Men:
- Patrick Caldwell (37:05.2)
- Russell Currier (37:10.2)
- Tim Burke (37:16.7)
Women:
- Mary Rose (45:15.1)
- Annelies Cook (45:47.1)
- Hannah Dreissigacker (47:21.0)
2016:
Date: Sept. 18
Men:
- Duncan Douglas (37:15.6)
- Russell Currier (37:23.9)
- Paul Schommer (40:18.2)
Women:
- Hannah Rieders (55:03.1)
- Anna Lehmann (55:18.8)
- Madeline Rieders (56:26.4)