NOTE: please consult the website for more detailed information.

Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28-29, 2007

For Those Who Dare . . .

Time and place

The 2007 BEAR 100 starts at 6:00 AM sharp on Sept. 28, 2007. The race begins at Deer Cliff Inn up Cub River Canyon in Southeast Idaho.

The Race

The BEAR 100 joins the ranks of some of the toughest, as well as most scenic, trail races in the world. Although its elevation isn’t quite as high as some of the other 100 milers, ranging from around 5,500 feet to 9,000 feet, the challenges associated with it will test the strength and endurance of any well-trained runner. The first 13 miles are at lower elevation through the foothills, a nice warm-up for what lies ahead. The course then climbs steeply to higher elevation where it remains mostly between 8 and 9,000 feet in elevation, with lots of high ridgetop running until about the 90 mile mark, where it drops down to the finish.

The Bear

A famous Grizzly Bear named Old Ephraim once roamed the Wasatch-Cache and Caribou National Forests, and I’m sure he set foot in some of the same country that the runners will be traversing. The winners of the race will receive a beautifully carved plaque depicting Old Ephraim, and will be crowned "King and Queen of the BEAR"

The Course

The BEAR 100 is kind of a loop, out and back course. There will be opportunities to cross paths with other runners and gauge their position. The first mile heads up a dirt road, then you take a trail that heads south through the foothills and over a medium pass to Maple Creek and the first Aid Station. You go down 1/2 mile to the Aid Station, then back up, continuing up the canyon as the trail climbs higher and steeper. You eventually make it over the mountain and drop down into Franklin Basin, head north for a short ways and then climb over to Egan Basin to the East. You then head south to Gibson Basin, where you take a trail that swings down to the southeast, crossing Beaver Creek. You then head East on a dirt road that swings north and you circle around back to Egan Basin, where you get on a trail that heads north past Bloomington Lake, Paris Canyon, Green Basin, Midnight Mountain, and then you drop down, heading east, then north, crossing several creeks to Emigration. From there you take a different trail back to Midnight Mountain, Green Basin, and Paris Canyon, then you drop down to the southwest to Hull Valley and finally the finish.

The Trail

The BEAR 100 is about 2/3 trail and 1/3 dirt road, with less than a mile of pavement. Some of the trails are rarely used, especially in the first 10 miles, and in some places are only recognized by following rock cairns. There are numerous stream crossings in the first 10 miles, but are negotiable without getting wet. You may encounter animals along the trail, such as Elk, Deer, Moose, Porcupines, Rattlesnakes, and possibly even (though I doubt it) Mountain Lions, Bear, Bobcat, and Coyotes. Most of these animals will avoid human encounters if possible, unless they are really hungry or ticked off.

Weather

Late September in Southeast Idaho can be very damp, and is usually quite cool to downright cold at night, especially on the ridgetops, where it can be windy, so come prepared.

Be Prepared

This event is extremely demanding, and should only be undertaken by athletes in excellent physical condition. All entrants should be familiar with basic first-aid, and know the symptoms and treatment for heat exhaustion, hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude sickness. Pay special attention to the distance and elevation gain/loss between checkpoints and plan your needs accordingly. Plan for the worst case scenario. Survival gear in case of an accident is a must.

Training Runs

The race committee highly recommends that you run as much of the course as possible before race day.

Trail work

Eight hours of trail work or volunteer work at other ultras is required to participate in this race. If you live close enough to come and work on the trails of the BEAR 100, we highly recommend it. We have tentatively scheduled to do trail work this summer. Call Leland Barker at (435) 563-3647 for details. You may work on trails in your area or, if you prefer, and can afford it, you can pay us a fee of $80.00 to have someone work on trails for you.

Registration

$150.00 by Aug. 27th includes entry, course maps, directions, drop bag service, 15 aid stations, awards, shirt, post race dinner, and results.

Deadlines

All applicants for entry must be received no later than September 20, 2006, preferably much sooner so we can send you course maps. The course description will be sent along with the maps. All but $15.00 of the entry fee is refundable by Sept. 21. Failure to complete your trail work on time will result in cancellation of entry and a refund of $135.00. There will be no refunds or registration after September 21, 2006. Runners must be 18 years of age or older to register.

Pre-race meeting

A mandatory pre-race trail briefing for runners and their crews will be conducted at 5:00 PM at Mountain Valley Trout Farm at 1471 W HWY 218, 2 miles west of the light at 100 north in Smithfield, which is 6 miles north of Logan, Utah, on Thursday, Sept. 22. Runners must be weighed in, and race packets can be picked up at this time. Questions regarding the course will be answered and final instructions will be given at this time. Runners should have their drop bags ready, marked, and left at the farm at this time.

Drop Bags

Drop Bags will be transported to each of the major checkpoints in the race. Runners wishing to make use of this service must insure that their bags are securely tied and clearly marked.

Race Directors

The race director for the BEAR 100 is Leland Barker, 1471 W HWY 218 Smithfield UT 84335 Phone (435) 563-3647.  You may also contact Phil Lowry, ADR, at 801-373-6345, phil@phillowry.com, for information.

Cutoff Times

A total of 35 hours is allotted for completing the BEAR 100, with cutoff times at each aid station. If you do not make the cut-off time, but wish to continue, we will not pull you from the race, but we cannot guarantee that the aid stations will be open past the cut-off times, or that the course markings will still be in place. All runners must finish the race by 5:00 PM, Saturday, Sept. 23 to receive the finisher award.

Aid Stations

All aid stations will have water and a diluted Sports Drink. Most will have some kind of fruit, salty food, cookies, or soup, etc. If you have any specialty food or beverage needs, they should be placed in your drop bags or provided by your crew. Access to the aid stations is limited to 4 wheel drive vehicles at most of them, with the exception being aid station 11 at Emigration.

Also aid station 4 could be accessed by any vehicle if the roads are dry. It is dirt road and a little bumpy, but if they are careful, your crew can make it there. Please don’t have them come to all of the aid stations. Pick maybe 3 or 4, and do tell them to drive slowly and carefully. Some places are narrow and steep. We want them to arrive safely. You will be required to be weighed at two of these aid stations. Aid stations and cut-offs are as follows:

Pacers/ Crews

Pacers are allowed from Beaver Creek (mile 28) to the finish. Runners over the age of 60 may have a pacer from start to finish. Pacers may not carry food, water, or equipment for their runner. Vehicle pacing is not allowed.

Transportation to the start

It is your responsibility to find a way to the start. If we get a lot of requests, we may provide a bus from Logan for a nominal fee in the future. It is about a 45 minute drive from Logan, UT to the start.

Awards Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony will be held at the finish area at 6:00 PM on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Finisher Award

All who finish within the 35 hour time limit will receive a beautifully engraved plaque

depicting the race course.

Old Ephraim Award

The overall winners, male/female, will receive this beautifully engraved plaque.

The Wolverine Award

They’re out there, living in the mountains, traveling vast distances, incredibly powerful, famously fierce. Solitary, scarce, sticking to high elevations as they comb the wilderness in search of sustenance. They’re out there, but they seem to lurk in a realm between myth and science, where what is known, what is believed, and what is hoped about these elusive creatures are all very different things. --Sounds a lot like 100 mile runners. Actually the description was meant for Wolverines, but noting the similarities, we thought it appropriate to give special recognition to any runner completing the BEAR 100 in under 24 hours by awarding them the Wolverine Buckle. They will then be loyal subjects to the King of the BEAR, until one of them de-thrones the King.

Grizzly Buckle

All runners who complete the BEAR 100 in 24 to 30 hours will receive this buckle depicting the Grizzly Bear, a powerful, and mighty inhabitant of high, mountainous country.

Black Bear Buckle

Runners who receive this award will have special understanding of the word black, as they have struggled through the night to tackle the BEAR. They have endured many hours of hardship, and have special appreciation of the BEAR, because it truly was a bear! All who complete the race in 30 to 36 hours will receive this beautiful buckle.

Black and Blue Club

All non-finishers are a member of this club, in good standing until they successfully complete the BEAR 100 in under 35 hours.

BEAR 100 RULES

INFRACTIONS RESULTING IN DISQUALIFICATION:

1. Short-cutting of course.

2. Missing a checkpoint.

3. Getting in a moving vehicle.

4. Failing to remain at a checkpoint for medical evaluation on request of checkpoint personnel

5. Impeding another runner.

INFRACTIONS RESULTING IN DENIAL OF FUTURE ENTRY:

Running as a bandit, Pacing or crewing for a bandit runner, Having crews take cars to areas designated as off-limits, Disobeying Forest Service rules regarding disposal of human waste or mistreatment of the environment, Littering, Failing to respect private property, Mistreating Aid Station personnel, runners, or pacers, Using more than one pacer at a time until Hull Valley.

Runners are expected to behave in a sportsmanlike manner. The race committee reserves the right to impose sanctions for behavior not specifically mentioned here.