Bear 100 Race Information:

Course Information, Conditions, and Marking

The Course

The BEAR 100 is a point to point course (100 Miles) that starts in Logan, UT and finishes at Fish Haven, ID at Bear Lake. The first climb is the longest, with many more long climbs to follow with varying difficulties of descent. Some descents are smooth downhill while others are rocky. The course has a great mix of varied terrain. Late September was picked for the time of the run because of the beauty of the fall colors along with the cooler weather that we enjoy during that time of the year. You will see brilliant red maples and quaking aspens turning yellow which provides for a stunning contrast among the rocks and cliffs.

See the Maps Page for more details

Maps 2026 – Bear 100 Route

The Trail

65% of the course is on single-track trails, 34% is dirt double-track, and only 1.5% on pavement.

Weather

Late September in Utah and Idaho is usually really nice, but expect it to be cold at night. There is sometimes a big storm that blows in once or twice in September and occasionally hits during race weekend.  Come prepared for any type of weather including heat, snow and rain.  Yep, you should check the weather before prepping those drop bags. We have had to modify the course twice in 28 years due to winter conditions. Just warning you.

Mandatory Gear?

We will not require mandatory gear. Use your best judgement to bring enough to make sure you are safe/warm. See above about the weather and then pack more than needed because the weatherman is (nearly) always wrong.

Don’t Get Lost

Download the route and use Gaia or similar app to use as a backup to the markings. We won’t check your phone, but we HIGHLY recommend doing this. We can’t guarantee that all the markings will remain for the duration of the event. Deer, Elk, and Humans like to destroy the markings. It is your responsibility to stay on course. We will do everything we can to mark it well, but pay attention and you probably won’t need the phone.

Marking The Course

The Bear 100 will be marked the following way:

Pink Nylon with Reflectors and Pink Ribbon are the primary markings. Pink sprinkler flags are used in open fields.

Yellow & Pink for turns. If seen on the left side of trail, a left turn is coming up.

Blue Ribbons means “Wrong Way”

Blue = Bad.  Turn around and look for PINK

Dog limitations

We love our pets but this race isn’t for them unfortunately. Dogs are not allowed at the finish line and at aid stations by order of the health department. Runners and crews ignoring this rule are subject to disqualification. Please don’t jeopardize the race using this facility and leave the dogs at home. 

Pre-Race Instructions

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.

Training Runs

The race committee highly recommends that you run as much of the course as possible before race day. Check out the Facebook group page for ways to connect with others.

Trail &/or Volunteer Work

Eight hours of trail work or volunteer work (not crewing or pacing) at The Bear or other ultras is required to participate in this race.  These 8 hours of volunteer work must occur between September 2026 and September 2027. We highly suggest that you work on trails where an ultra is held. We will host 2-3 trail days in 2027 on or near the Bear 100 course. You may also work on trails in your area. If you are unable to volunteer there is one additional option to consider. There is an option to sponsor a local to do trail work on the Bear 100 course. Email bear100info@gmail.com to learn how to sponsor a local.

Volunteer work forms must be submitted by Sept 15th or you will not be eligible to run. This includes those that join from the waitlist as well. We take this seriously, those that don’t submit by the 15th get removed without a refund. You will receive a confirmation email from the race team upon receipt of the completed form.

See this page for more details:

Volunteer Requirement

Refunds

We have a tiered refund policy.

The race will offer a partial refund by check ($250) until the last day of May.

After June 1 and until the last day of August, the race will offer a partial refund ($150).

No refunds after Aug 31st. 

We offer a deferral that is good for 2 years to runners who become pregnant and wish to withdraw.

We also offer a deferral that is also good for 2 years to all military veterans who get called into active duty.

For everyone else…No deferrals or bib transfers allowed.

Contact the RD @ bear100info@gmail.com to request a refund and to be removed from the list.

Waitlisters: You are able to withdraw yourself from the WAITLIST. Just go to your Bear registration from the Registration History on your Account Info on Ultrasignup. Reminder that you are not charged until you accept the invite if/when your turn comes up.

Pacer?

Mandatory Packet Pick up @ Start Line

DATE: Thursday Sept 23 (3:30-6:00 PM)

LOCATION: (Hyrum Gibbons/Mount Logan Park) in Logan UT.
Address: 1400 East 350 South, Logan UT

You will pick up your bib/packet and have a chance to see the start area and ask any questions you have. There is not an official check-in during the packet pickup. If your packet isn’t picked up by 6:15, we will assume a DNS. 

The ‘meeting’ is a Virtual Meeting format. The video will be published the week of the race and a link will be sent by email. It usually includes stuff you can read off the website along with any last minute changes (if any).

There will be an online waiver you must fill out before the race. The waiver link will be sent out the week of the race. The waiver is for all runners and pacers.

Runners MUST pick up their bib and leave their drop bags any time between 3:30 and 6:00 pm.  If you are late (after 6), you may miss the drop bag window.  Don’t be late, the Aid Captains pick up the bags at 6:30. We can’t deliver drop bags day of the race if you miss the window, sorry. The bigger concern is that you miss securing your spot. You may have a friend or family pick up your bib and SWAG.

We will also be accepting people off the waitlist at 6:30 if any fail to show up by 6:00pm the night before the race. If you are on the waitlist and REALLY want to get in, this is your last hope.

Let me say it again, all runners must pick up your bib between 3:30pm and 6:00pm the night before the race or you can’t run on Friday. Yes, you can have a representative do this for you if you have difficulty making it here by then.

You will get the following:

   Race Bib & Pins

   High Quality Tech T-shirt

   1 Pacer Bib (if needed) (It is your responsibility to distribute and share the pacer bib)

   1 Crew Parking Pass

   1 Custom Bear 100 Drop Bag

    Possibly other goodies from our awesome sponsors

Additional shirts, hats, and other goodies will be available for purchase at that time.

Drop Bags

Drop bags need to be reasonably sized. Don’t bring your entire kit.

Drop bags must be dropped off at the start line. Accordingly, you will need to drop off your bags no later than 6:00 on Thursday afternoon. No exceptions. I am repeating myself because too many people ask about this.

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

All drop bags will be transported to the finish line on Saturday for pick-up. All bags up to and including Beaver Mtn. Lodge will be combined and delivered to the finish line once the Beaver Mtn. aid closes (11am).  They should arrive to the finish around 12:00. It isn’t possible to pick up the bags before then unless your crew grabs them at the aid stations.

All drop bags left unclaimed go to a race committee member’s house for pickup. An email with the address will be sent out following the race. Unclaimed bags may be shipped to a runner at the expense of the runner. Any leftover bags/clothing after 1 week will be donated to goodwill.

Check-In (Morning of the Race)

Please check-in the morning of the race either by checking in personally or by using the ONLINE link provided via email. (preferred method is to use the online check-in)

The email with the link will be sent the night before the race.

Cut-off Times

Finish Line

Awards

Awards Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony for the top 3 male and female overall winners will be held at the finish area at approximately 12:30pm. Additional awards: Streakers (5 years in a row), 10 year buckle awards, Rocky Mountain Slam etc. will be given at ~6pm. Come and cheer on the final finishers as they try to finish under the 36 hour cutoff. 

Old Ephraim Award & Cash Prizes

Old Ephraim was known as the king of the grizzlies. Standing around 10 feet tall, this bear was the fiercest around. In honor of him, the top 3 overall winners, male/female, will receive an award..

We are also pleased to announce the prize $ for 2026.

$500 for 1st Overall (Male and Female) + Free Entry for next year (Bear Tag)

$300 for 2nd Overall (Male and Female)

$200 for 3rd Overall (Male and Female)

We are also excited to announce an additional $1,000 cash prize for a course record*

*The alternate course used in 2016 isn’t eligible. If that course is used again due to weather, the CR bonus isn’t enabled for that year. 

Women’s Record is held by Kristin Johnson (2026) 18:50:37

Men’s Record is held by Zach Garner (2023) 17:11:51

Buckles!!

All who finish within the 36 hour time limit will receive a buckle (see below).