FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IronHike Endurance Series 2026:

Choose Harder. Choose Your Summit....at Mohawk Mountain, Cornwall, Connecticut – USA

The IronHike Endurance Series proudly extends a hearty invitation to Mountain Athletes from around the globe. With Series dates confirmed for June 4th - 7th, 2026, and October 1st - 4th, 2026, these endurance events are more of a personal odyssey beckoning you to reach the highest summit in your mind, to choose harder, and to choose your summit.

IronHike is built for you to crush the ordinary, offering a comprehensive lineup of seven events, with 5 of them named after a legendary mountain, each a beacon for personal achievement:

• Kuwohi: A 12-hour, 15-mile trek with 7,140 feet of elevation gain, named after the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains.
• Double Kuwohi: A 24-hour challenge covering over 28 miles and 13,685 feet of elevation, which involves summiting the Kuwohi distance twice, testing your endurance with a relentless ascent and descent.
• Denali: A 48-hour, 43-mile journey with a staggering 20,825 feet of elevation, echoing the formidable Alaskan giant, challenging Mountain Athletes to push their limits in a true test of will.
• Everest: A 72-hour, 61-mile trek, ascending 29,155 feet, reminiscent of the 29029 Everesting Challenge, but with a twist—no chairlifts or gondolas, just pure grit over a longer distance.
• Olympus Mons: The ultimate 84-hour, 152-mile endurance test, with an extraordinary 72,590 feet of elevation gain and loss, potentially the most extreme of any ultra event under 200 miles in the world, named after the colossal Martian volcano.
• (NEW!) Answer the Bell Ultra - Basic: A new 24-hour format requiring Mountain Athletes to complete 1.2 miles and 600 feet of gain every hour until they can no longer answer the bell. Total distance is 28.8 miles and 14,400 feet of elevation gain/loss.
• (NEW!) Answer the Bell Ultra - Full: The ultimate endurance version of the Answer the Bell format, lasting 84 hours with 100+ miles and 50,400 feet of elevation gain/loss.

For those who prefer teamwork over solo endeavors, the IronHike offers FlexRelay options for Trail Family and Trail Buddy Teams. This unique format allows team members to share the mileage and elevation, managing their laps and pace according to their own strategy and strength.

The IronHike Everest Series continues to offer a more challenging, affordable, and self-reliant alternative to the 29029 Everesting Event. This series strips away the conveniences, removes the gondolas, and turns off the chairlifts, pushing participants to rely on their own resilience and determination. The challenge is raw and uncompromising, offering a true test of endurance and spirit.

About the IronHike Endurance Series & Mohawk Mountain

Founded by John Kolker (Founder/CEO), a US Army Intelligence Veteran and sudden cardiac arrest survivor, the IronHike Endurance Series is a call to those who seek to redefine their boundaries. John, who has completed the Appalachian Trail, the New England Trail, and 15 triathlons, created IronHike to challenge the human spirit.

Co-founders join him:

• Dan Allen: A world-class Masters Swimmer, accomplished triathlete, and US Army Military Police Veteran who brings IT expertise to the team.
• Cliff Anders: A Longbow Apache Pilot US Army Veteran, strong hiker, former D1 College Football Player, and Team USA Bobsledder, who is known for his commitment to the trail.
• Scott Festa: A former Enlisted Green Beret and US Army Medical Officer PA, an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker, and the first person to finish the grueling Olympus Mons Ultra in 2024.

This founding cadre of long-distance hikers, doers, and US military veterans has created an invitation to embark on a journey that promises to be as rewarding as it is demanding, set against the backdrop of Mohawk Mountain's breathtaking vistas.

The series is set against the backdrop of Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, located in Cornwall, CT. As a point of interest, Mohawk Mountain holds the distinction of being Connecticut's oldest ski area, operating since 1948 and remaining in the hands of the same family ownership that founded it. Cornwall is known as “the Greenest Town in Connecticut” for its forested land and natural beauty.

Key details for Mountain Athletes:

• You can go solo, buddy up with a friend, or form a trail family team in our FlexRelay format, where you can switch Mountain Athletes anytime.
• You will camp in the base camp near the course with other Mountain Athletes and spectators.
• Complimentary tenting is provided for all participants and up to six spectators.
• This is an all-weather series, so be ready for anything!

These events in the IronHike series are perfect for you to raise funds, awareness, and acceptance for your cause. IronHike Endurance Products is super supportive of using these events as a vehicle for fundraising and socializing issues of significance.

📲 Follow Us

Join our community of trail crushers and stay up-to-date with training tips, athlete stories, and event preparation across all our social media channels.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironhike_productions/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ironhikeproductions

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ironhikeproductions

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ironhike

See you on the mountain!