Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Inaugurated in 1999, The Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run is an ultramarathon that traverses the Wasatch/Bear River Range west of Bear Lake in southeastern Idaho. With 18000 ft of climb and an average elevation of 7700 ft, it is one of the more difficult ultramarathons. Even so, runners of all skill are attracted to it, largely because of its generous 35-hour time limit and laid-back attitude (all of the race directors and assistants have participated in the race, and some participate every year).
The run is held on the Friday and Saturday before the last full weekend in September. This normally augurs warm fall days and cool nights in spectacular fall color, hence the run's motto "35 Hours of Indian Summer." In 2006, an unprecedented series of snow storms forced a change to an alternate course 36 hours before the start of the run. This was possible only because of deep support of local volunteers and ham radio operators. That year 36 runners out of 44 starters reached the finish, despite running through 50 miles of snow-covered terrain and enduring temperatures down to 17F.
[edit] Rocky Mountain Slam
The Bear 100 is part of the "Rocky Mountain Slam," which a runner completes if s/he finishes the Hardrock 100 plus three of four other races in the Rocky Mountains: Leadville Trail 100, the Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run, the Bighorn 100, or the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run. The award is presented at and hosted by the Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run, as this is the final run in the series.
