Bear 100 Information:
Quick Links
Contact Information
The race director for the BEAR 100 is Cody Draper
Phone (435) 213-6555
Email bear100info@gmail.com
Race
Dog limitations
Under NO Circumstances are dogs allowed at the finish area. 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.
START Time and Place
The 2023 BEAR 100 starts at 6:00 AM sharp on Friday September 29, 2023.
The race begins at Hyrum Gibbons/Mount Logan Park in Logan UT.
Address: 1400 East 350 South, Logan UT
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 5,000 feet to 9,200 feet, the challenges associated with it will test the strength and endurance of any well-trained runner.
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. His gravesite where he was eventually killed is only a few miles off the course. In honor of him, the winners of the race will receive an award depicting Old Ephraim, and will be crowned “King and Queen of the BEAR 100”.
Course Information, Conditions, and Marking
The Course
The BEAR 100 is a point to point course 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. It really is a mix of everything. Late September was picked for the time of the run because of the beauty of the fall colors at that time. 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
The Trail
Seventy percent of the course is on single-track trails, 29% is dirt road, and only 1% on pavement.
Weather
Late September in Utah and Idaho is usually nice, but is usually 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 23 years due to winter conditions. Just warning you.
Marking The Course
The Bear 100 will be marked the following way:
Pink Nylon with Reflectors to guide the way. Look for these from Mile 40 – 100.
Pink Ribbon also to guide the way. These are used intermittently with the Pink Nylon above and heavily in the first 40 Miles.
Yellow & Pink for turns. If found on left side of trail a left turn is coming up.
Pink Sprinkler Flags also are good. Look for these when in open fields. They also have reflectors on them.
Blue Ribbons means “Wrong Way”
Blue = Bad. Turn around and look for PINK
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. We don’t require mandatory gear, it is up to you to be smart and take precautions.
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 2022 and September 2023. We highly suggest that you work on trails where an ultra is held. We will host 2-3 trail days in 2023 on the Bear 100 course. You may also work on trails in your area. If you have a reason to feel you should be exempt from the requirement, contact us via e-mail: bear100info@gmail.com to plead your case.
Volunteer work forms must be submitted by Sept 15th or you will not be eligible to run.
Dates and times for trail work opportunities on the Bear 100 course:
**DATE TBD – ENTER YOUR CONTACT INFO HERE TO GET NOTIFIED**
Corner Canyon Opportunities (SLC area) –
Contact john.maack@hotmail.com or call/text 801-301-2412 for upcoming opportunities in the SLC area
To submit your work, follow the Download Form Link, or go to the Forms Page from https://bear100.com/Race/Forms
Registration
Race Registration is online only. Click here to register
The registration includes entry, course maps, directions, drop bag service, 12 aid stations, a unique tech-shirt, post-race meal, and all finishers get a buckle and custom plaque.
2023 Race Date: September 29-30, 2023
Race fees:
$300 + Fees + Tax (before Jan 15)
$325 + Fees + Tax (after Jan 14)
Refunds:
The race will offer a partial refund by check ($225) 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 $300 refund to runners who become pregnant and wish to withdraw.
We also offer a $300 refund to all military participants who get called into active duty.
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.
Pre-Race Meeting
You will have a chance to see the start area and ask any questions you have.
We have moved to a Virtual Meeting format. The video will be published the week of the race.
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.
DATE: Thursday Sept 28 (3:30-6:00 PM)
LOCATION: (Hyrum Gibbons/Mount Logan Park) in Logan UT.
Address: 1400 East 350 South, Logan UT
Runners can check in 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.
Race Number Pick Up
Bib and shirts will be available to pick up at the pre-race ‘meeting’ from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm. This is also where you will receive your Crew Parking Pass.
Additional shirts, hats, and other goodies will be available for purchase at this time.
Drop Bags
Drop bag size limitation (all aid stations expect finish line): 13 inches in length, 8 inches in width and 10 inches deep.
Finish line drop bag size limitation: 20 inches long, 10 inches wide and 12 inches deep.
Drop bags must be dropped off at the start line at the pre-race meeting. Accordingly, you will need to drop off your bags no later than 6:00 on Thursday afternoon. No exceptions. That’s why it is on the website in 4 different places.
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 12:30. It isn’t possible to pick up the bags before then unless your crew grabs them at the aid stations.
The final aid station bags (Beaver Creek CG & Ranger Dip) will not be delivered until after the aids close at ~4:30 pm. If you want to leave the finish area before 6pm, I recommend not using the drop bag service for the final few aid stations (or plan on not leaving that expensive jacket in the bag).
All drop bags left unclaimed go to Cody’s house for pickup. 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 link provided via email. (preferred method is to use the online check-in)
The email with the link will be sent the week of the race.
Cut-off Times
Finish Line
Lodging for Family/Friends near Finish Line
Food @ Finish
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 will be given at ~6pm. Come and cheer on the final finishers as they try to finish under the 36 hour cutoff.
Finisher Award
All who finish within the 36 hour time limit will receive a beautifully engraved plaque depicting the race course and a buckle (see below). The buckle will be given to the runner at the finish line. The plaques will not be ready until around 10am and about 30-60 mins after finishing (whichever is later).
(The plaque that you receive for finishing)
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 overall winners, male/female, will receive this unique award.
Top 3 male and female all receive a small award, but the Old Ephraim one is the coolest, of course.
We are also pleased to announce a small prize $ purse for 2023.
$500 for 1st Overall (Male and Female) + Free Entry for next year
$300 for 2nd Overall (Male and Female)
$200 for 3rd Overall (Male and Female)
We are also excited to announce a $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 prize isn’t enabled for that year.
Women’s Record is held by Kaytlyn Gerbin (2018) 20:45:48
Men’s Record is held by Christopher Kollar (2012) 17:50:15
The Wolverine Buckle
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 Cub
All non-finishers are a member of this club in good standing, until they successfully complete the BEAR 100 in under 36 hours.
Shuttle back to the Start
It is your responsibility to find a way home from the finish. When registering you will have an opportunity to buy a bus ticket back to the start. There are also other runners heading that way you may negotiate a ride with. Running back to your car isn’t a good idea, just saying.
Shuttle service from finish to start is $20 per runner. There will be 2 shuttles on Saturday, one at approximately 3pm and the second one at approximately 6:30pm.
For those planning on riding the shuttle, please park on the road near the start and not in the park’s parking lot. That is not allowed, but parking on the road is ok.
Rocky Mountain Slam
(From Phil Lowry Aug 7, 2022)
“In the early 2000’s I had the idea that an additional “Slam” series of races, in addition to the Grand Slam and the Last Great Race, would be a cool thing. At that point, races series were becoming all the rage, but none really focused on the few races that occurred in the Mountain West. So, I had the idea of a Rocky Mountain Slam, which would consist of Hardrock, then Leadville, then Wasatch, then the Bear.
At the time all of these races were easy to get into, and the Bear was trying grow to a sustainable level. Leland liked the idea, and so we launched the Rocky Mountain Slam.
Later on, with the advent of the Bighorn 100, it was added as one of the potential races that could count toward the Slam, given the imposition of lotteries at Leadville and Wasatch, and also the feeling that Bighorn was of a similar class.
Things have now changed. Hardrock has become virtually impossible to enter in the first three or four attempts, and multiplying that probability with the odds of getting into Wasatch or Leadville means that the Rocky Mountain Slam has unfortunately become a demonstration of both Vegas luck and running skill. This is not to detract from the efforts of those that have actually completed the Slam, but encouraging more to complete the slam would simply be unfair.
Moreover, the existence of the Slam unduly encourages people to register for races where entry is extremely difficult. In the absence of the Slam’s incentive, these runners might opt for some of the many other offerings that are now available across the west not originally included in the Slam but certainly of great caliber. For this reason, and with Cody’s cooperation and blessing, I regret to announce that the Rocky Mountain Slam will have its final iteration in 2022, and will be discontinued. My regret is not that deep. I think the Slam was a great tool for recruitment, retention, and recognition that was good for its time, but it, like many other things done with their time, needs to be retired. Congratulations to all those who have completed the Slam. Of course, a “Slam” recognition is not required in order to have the sense of challenge and accomplishment that comes with ultrarunning, and all of you are encouraged to “create your own slams” as you find new adventures in your ultrarunning careers. God bless you all and thank you for your understanding.”
For reference you can see the full list of Rocky Mountain Slam finishers here