Click here to download the 2009 Course Directions
Click here to download the complete set of course maps for this year's race.
Click here to download the 2009 Course Profile

As you might imagine, putting together a route that involves over 200 miles and 30 towns and communities can be quite a challenge. Each year we do our best to provide you with some of the best scenery that New Hampshire has to offer while also showcasing as many State Parks along the way. It's also an opportunity for you to meet many of the wonderful, community organizations who help us along the way.

We do our best to ensure that the distances of each leg of the RTB Relay are as accurate as possible. However, due to the variety of measurement techniques available to you (and to us), you may find that our published distances don't line up with what you've measured. Generally speaking, you should expect our distance accuracies to be within .2 miles for any single leg. This year, however, we’ve added the GPS coordinates for each leg so that you can leverage some of the latest technology in getting you from ‘A’ to ‘B’. Take a peek at the first page of the complete set of course maps to see the Course GPS Lookup Table.

We hope you enjoy the route that we've designed for you this year. We also ask that you please respect the towns and communities that you travel through as it is only with their permission and cooperation that this event can be run.

The following are general descriptions of each leg and are intended to provide you with a preview of the Reach the Beach route. Please use the course maps for specific navigation detail, including GPS coordinates and elevation profiles.

The starting leg begins at the base of Cannon Mountain and joins the Recreational Trail just passed the exit from I-93. It then heads north and eventually brings you out to Rt. 3 where you will continue to run towards Mt. Washington and your first Transition Area - Beaver Brook Wayside Rest Area. This TA was the site of our very first starting area back in 1999.

This is a No Trash zone. Please do not unload any garbage at this site.

Leg 2 is one of the longest legs of the race and is rated "hard" due to its length. You will continue down Rt. 3 into the town of Twin Mountain, NH. Once there, you will head east onto Rt. 302 and transition at Bretton Woods Ski resort which was been part of RTB for 9 out of the past 10 years.

Take in the grandeur that is Mt. Washington. Leg 3 continues heading east on Rt. 302 towards Crawford Notch and offers the runner some really majestic views. This leg concludes at a new Transition Area - the AMC's Highland Lodge. Feel free to wander inside the lodge, learn more about the Appalachian Mountain Club and grab a bite to eat at their restaurant.

Leg 4 is easy on distance but not elevation. You will leave TA3 and then begin your decent into Crawford Notch on your way to TA4 - the Willey House. Watch your footing as the elevation drop can be extreme.

Still more downhill awaits the runners of Leg 5, though not as steep. Be wary of the logging trucks that travel this main thoroughfare from the north woods of New Hampshire and Maine.

This is a No Trash zone. Please do not unload any garbage at this site.

Leg 6 continues the downhill trend but in a less obvious way. You will pass through the smallest town in New Hampshire (Harts Location - population 42) before entering the Town of Bartlett where you will arrive at the first Vehicle Transition Area (VTA) - Attitash Ski Area.

We have stopped here before in years past but this will be the first time it will be used as a VTA. This will also be the site of our first "recycling center" so don't forget to offload your recyclables here.

We will visit a familiar friend in Echo Lake State Park. Except this time, it will be as TA7 so the congestion should be less. Take some time and go for a dip in the lake. Be sure to give out a scream while in the water and you'll understand why they call it Echo Lake.

This is a No Trash zone. Please do not unload any garbage at this site.

The Town of Conway awaits the runners of Leg 8 so be cautious of the increasing traffic as you approach the center of town. You will arrive at the intersection of Rt. 16 and Rt. 153, turn right and cross over the road by the local police. From there it will be just a short jog over to the Ham Arena and TA8.

As you leave Ham Arena, you will take a more direct route to TA9 than in years past. This route will put you on Rt. 16 heading south for a short while before turning left onto Rt. 113. This is a busy road with a narrow shoulder so use caution. You will continue down Rt. 113 Rt. 113 for about a mile and transition at the FW Webb store on your right hand side.

Use caution as this is a busy road in the late afternoon and early evening.

Leg 10 leaves the transition and continues along Route 113 for the entire leg eventually bearing to the right and heading towards the transition at the Madison Elementary School. Please note that school is in session until 3:45 PM so PLEASE do not attempt to park at the school before this time.

Leg 11 leaves the transition and continues along Route 113 for the entire leg, passing along Silver Lake for some great views. The runners will cross Rt. 16 again and then make a quick left onto Rt. 16 South. You will continue along Route16 for several miles and then take a right turn into White Lake State Park and transition #11.
Note: this is a great place to rest if you're in the "Off" van.

The runners for Leg 12 will leave White Lake State Park from the back entrance (vehicles will double back to Rt. 16) and turn right onto Depot Road. Continue along Route 16 for seven tenths of a mile before taking a right turn onto Depot Road. The course continues on Depot Road until the intersection with Tamworth Road where it turns left. Follow Tamworth Road for eight tenths of a mile before reaching the Kenneth Brett School and transition #12. This is VTA #2.

Note: as with Leg 9, due to school being in session, team vehicles will not be permitted at this TA until at least 5:00pm.

Leg 13 continues on Tamworth Road to a right turn onto Whittier Road. Continue on this road before taking a right turn onto Route 113. You will go a short distance before turning right onto Bunker Hill Rd. The transition is located in front of the Community School on your right.

Topography: This leg is mainly flat.

Leg 14 leaves the transition and circles back onto Rt. 113 through the back of the school. You will head back onto Rt. 25, turn right, and follow to Little Pond road where the runners will turn turn right again. You will follow this until you reach Rt. 109 where you will turn right. Continue on Rt. 109 for about 1.7 miles and take a left turn onto Squam Lake Rd and then into the circular driveway of the Sandwich Center School. Support vehicles will turn left ~ .1 mile before the intersection and park in the sports field behind the school. Transition #14 is on the left at the Sandwich Center School.

Leg 15 follows Squam Lake Road (also called Beane Rd.) meandering along the shoreline of Squam Lake for three miles. After passing Squam Lake, this leg passes Wakondoh Pond, beautiful fields and an old cemetery as you come into town. Go to the end of the road and turn right onto Rt. 25. Make your immediate next right onto Rt. 25B. Follow this road around to the left and cross over onto Main St. The 15th transition area is located at Center Harbor Congregational Church on the right.

Leg 16 leaves the transition and goes straight (up) onto Old Center Harbor Rd. This road turns from paved to gravel as it climbs into the hillside. The runners will turn right onto Follet Rd and follow this to the end (Rt. 25B). Following a sharp left turn, you will go down a steep decent of about a mile before making a left turn onto College Rd. You will follow this picturesque road until you merge with Route 3 where the runners will make a left and head towards the scenic town of Meredith and TA #16 at Prescott Park on the left.

Leg 17 leaves transition area #17, crosses the dock area of Lake Winnipesaukee, and then climbs steeply for about a mile before turning right onto Route 106 (also known as Parade Road) and heads into Laconia. You follow this road passed The Good Shepard Lutheran Church (last year's TA) and continue until you hit Lane Road where you will turn right. You will follow Lane to a 4-way intersection with Meredith Center Road and go across with the help of a police officer. The transition is on the other side at the Robbie Mills Sports Complex but is being staff by the folks from the Good Shepherd Church.

Leg 18 continues on Meredith Center Rd to Parade Rd (Rt. 106) and turns right. You will follow this for about 3 miles before joining Route 107 in down town Laconia. Be careful as it is a busy place! The runners will stay on Rt. 106 through the streets of the town center and eventually transition at the New Hampshire Technical College on the right hand side of Route 106 (just beyond the interchange with Rt. 3). This is also VTA#3.

Quiet Zones being with Leg 19. The runner will leave the NH Technical College; heading south on Rt. 106. The runners will follow this road for about 3.2 miles before turning right onto Seavey Rd. From here will be a short run to TA19; the Belmont High School.

Quiet Zone! Leg 20 leaves the Belmont High School and winds its way through the town before crossing Rt. 106. The runners will continue down Rt. 140 the entire way until reaching TA20 - the Gilmanton School.

Use caution on this road as there is little to no shoulder and the road surface is pretty rough.

Leg 21 continues down Route 140 for about 1 mile and then veers right onto White Oak Road. It follows this quiet, country road for about 3 miles before reaching Route 28. At the intersection with Route 28, take a right turn and continue along Route 28 for ~1.5 miles. The runners will cross over to the left hand side of the road and then make a left turn onto Maple St. and will transition about 200 yards down in front of the Barnstead Elementary School.

Leg 22 leaves the Barnstead Elementary School and makes a right onto South Barnstead Road/Rt. 126. The runners will follow this road back to Route 28 and turn left. They will stay on this route until they reach Leavitt Rd where they will turn left. They'll make a quick right turn into an office park (vans will continue going straight for another 100 yards) and then run into TA22 Globe Manufacturing facility parking lot.

Leg 23 leaves the Globe parking lot and turns right onto Loudon Road. The runners will follow this road back to Route 28 and turn left. They will continue along Route 28 and cross over to the right hand side just before arriving at TA23 - Country Cookin Restaurant located on the right. Side Note: there's a Dunkin Donuts open 24 hours just around the traffic circle beyond the transition.
Side Note: there's a Dunkin Donuts open 24 hours just around the traffic circle beyond the transition.

Leg 24 leaves the rotary on Route 28 and heads back into the country. Runners will cross over to the left side and go pass Webster Park (on the left) and take a left turn onto Bear Brook State Park for transition area #24 - which will be the 2nd parking lot on your left. This is also VTA #4 and can accommodate camping.

Leg 25 leaves Bear Brook campground on Bear Brook Road. The leg continues on Bear Brook Road which changes to Deerfield Road and then to Middle Road. The runners will follow this to the end - Rt. 43; cross the road and turn right. The transition is up a short but steep hill on the left hand side at the Deerfield Fair Grounds.

Leg 26 leaves the Deerfield Fair Grounds and follows Rt. 43 (Candia Rd.) south into Candia. This leg has a few steep rolling hills so be prepared. The transition will occur across from the Henry W. Moore School (which is located on the right). The Candia Volunteer Fire Department will be serving breakfast at the school so stop in and support one of our many community organizations.

Leg 27 leaves the Henry W. Moore School on Route 43 and crosses Route 27. Runners will then cross onto Main Street and turn left onto Chester Road where they will wind past farms and fields before turning left onto Route 121. The transition at Chester College of New England is on the left.

PLEASE obey the local speed limits and drive with extreme caution down these roads.

Leg 28 continues on Route 121 for the entire way before entering the Town of Sandown where the runners will transition at the Sandown Town Hall on the right.

PLEASE obey the local speed limits and drive with extreme caution down these roads.

Leg 29 follows Route 121A for about 1.9 miles and turns left onto Hawkwood Road. It stays on this road for about 2 miles before becoming Colbey Road. It intersects with Rt. 111A where the runners will turn left. Use caution crossing this road. You will follow Rt. 111A for about .1 mile and transition at the Danville Baptist Church on the right.

PLEASE obey the local speed limits and drive with extreme caution down these roads.

Leg 30 runners will leave TA 29 and go about .1 miles before turning right onto Pine St. From there the runners will travel this rural back road for another 1.25 miles and turn right onto Long Pond Rd. After about a .25 this road becomes Danville Rd. and you will continue on this for ~ 1 mile and then make a left onto Rt. 111. The runners will follow Rt. 111 for a ~3 miles before transitioning at the Sanborn Town Hall/VTA#5.

PLEASE obey the local speed limits and drive with extreme caution down these roads.

Runners will leave TA 30 on Route 111 and will head east towards the Town of Exeter. This road passes quaint farms and classic styled New England homes. The runners will turn right onto Powder Mill Rd. and follow this to TA32 - the Tuck Learning Campus on the right. Stay on the right hand side of the road or you might miss the turn!

Leg 32 continues on Linden Street and quickly intersects with Route 111 where the runners will turn right and follow through downtown Exeter. Use caution as there are a lot of pedestrians and cars in town. The runners will stay on Route 111 for a short while and will transition on the right side at the Brooks Properties Building #1

Leg 33 continues on Route 111 where the runners will turn left and pass under Rt. 101 and then make a left onto Marin Way. They will then take their next left and go to TA 33 at the Timberland Corporate Headquarters on the left hand side.

Leg 34 leaves the transition at Timberland Corporate Headquarters and rejoins Route 111. The runners will follow this road into North Hampton where they will be cued up to cross Rt. 1 (very busy road!) and then continue down the road until they reach TA33 at the North Hampton School on the left hand side.

Leg 35 will find the runners crossing to the other side of Rt. 111 before making a sharp right onto Pine Rd. Form here, you will wind your way through some back roads that run parallel to Rt. 1 before arriving at TA35 - the Winnacunnet High School.

You are on the home stretch. The runners will travel along Winnacunnet Rd. and run right into the Town of Hampton along the coast. From here, they will head south along Rt. 1A and finally Reach the Beach!