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RACE INFORMATION

Bear Creek is a Bear!

If you are looking for a super-fast, flat, easy course to set a personal record, you are probably in the wrong place. These courses have hills. If, however, you are looking for a great time on the trails, with beautiful scenery, awesome support and unique, high-quality shirts and awards, you have come to the right place!

Hikers/walkers are welcome.

Bear Creek

RUN THE BEAR ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2024

Day
Hour
Minute
Second

START TIMES

7:00 AM

HALF HIKERS

8:00 AM

HALF MARATHON

8:15 AM

10K

8:30 AM

5K

For half marathon participants who wish to hike the course and take more than 4.5 hours, we will offer a "Hiker Division" start at 7:00 am. Those starting at 7:00 should carry water as the first and second aid stations might not be 100% up and running, depending on the hikers speed. Hiker starts will not be eligible to win the race or for age group awards, but will be listed as official finishers in the Hiker Division and will still receive finisher medals.

COURSE TIME LIMITS

The half marathon has a 4.5 hour time limit to finish the course.

There are also the following cut-offs on the course:

Cut-Off for Aid Station #2 (mile 5.79)

Hikers (starting at 7:00am) must reach this aid station by 9:30am. Those starting at 8:00am must reach it by 10:00am.

Cut-Off for Aid Station #3 (mile 9.92)

All participants must reach this aid station by 11:30am.

Bear Creek

COURSE INFORMATION

Each course includes a very short section of paved trail (about 2-300 yards) with the majority of the courses being on fire roads. All courses will finish along a 1.10 mile stretch of beautiful and very well shaded single track.

The half marathon and 10K courses will be single loops.

The 5K course is a single loop that includes one out-and-back section. This course will include a steady, but not too steep, increase in elevation during the first half, and end with rolling hills down through the single track section.

COURSE MAPS + ELEVATION

(Click on maps to view larger)

5K

Half Marathon

10K

Each course will be marked with colored ribbons, signs and flour, so that runners know they are on the correct course. As can be seen in the course map link above, with the exception of the out-and-back section of the 5K, there are no sections where runners will be going in the opposite directions of other runners, making the course extremely straightforward and easy to follow. Volunteers will also be on the course at key locations to help direct runners.

GPX FILES

Want to follow the course with your phone or smart watch and know how to work with GPX files? You can do that by uploading the race course GPX file (created with "Ride With GPS") into your favorite app. GPX files are on the course map.

Bear Creek Half Marathon gpx

Bear Creek 10K gpx

Bear Creek 5K gpx

WATER STATIONS

Water stations will be stocked with water, sports drink, gels, pretzels, candy, etc. and will be placed at the following approximate mileage:

Water stations on course:

5K: 1
10K: 2
1/2 Marathon: 4

Water station locations are shown on maps above. Those needing water more frequently are encouraged to carry a water bottle or hydration pack.

Toilets will be available at the race start/finish area and near the Alhambra Creek Staging Area aid station (approximately halfway through the half marathon course).

Note: To lower the amount of waste, we ask that our half marathon runners (and all runners where possible) be "cupless" during their runs, especially at the half-marathon-only water stations.

Since the course and conditions of these half marathon courses already dictate that carrying water bottles/hydration packs is the best practice, this is usually easy to do. Water station volunteers will be ready to refill whatever container one brings. Runners can also carry reusable cups that easily collapse and can be stuffed into their pockets/attached. If you wish to purchase a Hydrapak Speed Cup (available for $5 with sales tax), we have those available at our merchandise tent.

Half marathon water stations will not have full cups waiting for runners, but safety is their priority and so if you have nothing and need the fluids, they will get a cup for you.

Bear Creek

REGISTER TO RUN

BEAR CREEK SPONSORS

Thank you to our race sponsors, through their contributions, our sponsors help keep entry costs down and expose our runners their outstanding products and services. Learn more about becoming a sponsor.

I often hear someone say 'I'm not a real runner.' We are all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner.
Bart Yasso, Runner’s World Chief Running Officer