THE BLACK BEAR
TRAIL RACES
WINDING SINGLE TRACK AND LOGGING ROADS IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS
Custom hats for half-marathon and 5k
Kids run for free!
Custom hats for half-marathon and 5k
Kids run for free!
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The Black Bear is back for another Labor Day weekend full of fun in New Hampshire’s White Mountain hide-away, Waterville Valley. Take your pick of the three trail races around the Valley’s historic forested trails. Every racer gets a custom 2020 Black Bear medal, a custom 2020 Black Bear hat, entry into the post-race raffle, and a tasty post race meal! Run your hardest and you might take home a locally handmade mug and your pick of the well-stocked prize table.
NEW IN 2020 - Kids Run Free (whoa!), NEW half-marathon and 5k courses, NEW 2020 Black Bear hats, and NEW finisher medals!
Supporting WVES
All your hard work on the trails will support the Waterville Valley Elementary School PTA in their mission of fostering student growth and development through exploration and adventure. Thank you all for your support in 2019!
Kids Run Free!
Waterville Valley Ski Resort is well known for its unique “Kids Ski Free” program. Introducing… Kids RUN Free! Children under 13 years may sign up to run in the 1 mile or 5k distances. Kids Run Free participants MUST sign up online or on race day. Select the “Kids Run Free” options when checking out online.
The Races
The Black Bear Half Marathon starting at $60
You get a custom hat, finisher’s medal (if you finish!), post-race meal, prize raffle entry. Be sure to pace yourself as you race along this NEW 13.1-mile course along the oldest maintained trail network in the US. Starting and finishing in the picturesque Townsquare, the route rolls along the valley floor and into the hills as you travel in the shadows of the towering 4,000 foot peaks of Tecumseh, the Osceolas, and the Tripyramids. Three aid stations with water, hydration supplement, and nutrition. Terrain detail: 85% double-track trail, 13% single-track trails, 2% road.
The Black Bear 5K starting at $35
You get a custom hat, finisher’s medal (if you finish!), post-race meal, prize raffle entry. Challenge yourself and support WVES on this 5K course along the valley floors’ forested trails. NEW for 2020, the course will run along wide dirt double-track and some windy single-track around the valley’s south-end trails with NO ROAD! Terrain detail: 90% double-track, 10% single-track.
The Bear Cub Fun Run $10
The whole family, including Grandma and Grandpa, will enjoy the scenic 1-mile Bear Cub Fun Run! Whether you take in the Valley's grand views at a walk or make a mad dash for the finish line, you'll lend your valuable support to students at WVES and take home a signature Black Bear medal waiting for you at the finish line. This year’s custom Black Bear hat can be purchased along with your registration. Terrain type: 100% double-track trail.
Other Details
Raffle for EVERYONE
All participants will receive an entry into the post-race prize raffle that will include great goodies from a wide range of vendors including Waterville Valley Resort and local businesses. Stick around for this and food in Town Square after the races at 12:30pm.
Aid Stations
Aid stations will have water, Untapped Maple hydration supplement, and gels. The half-marathon will have 3 aid stations and the 5k will have 1 distributed around the course. Locations of the aid stations will be detailed in the course map once it is released.
Black Bear Hats!
Don't miss out on these sweet-as-honey caps! Half marathon and 5k participants receive a free hat with their entry. Hats can also be purchased during registration and at the event.
Prizes and Age Groups
Handmade mugs and your pick of a prize: Top 3 female/male overall and 1st female/male in age-groups in the half marathon, top 3 female/male overall in the 5k.
Age Groups: U19, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Our prize sponsors will be announced prior to the race. Expect goodies like free growler fills at The Dam Brew House, gift cards for local gear shops, discounts at local running stores, entries to upcoming races, and much more!
Post-Race Awards and Lunch
Stick around after the races to keep the fun going! We will hold a raffle and awards party in Town Square at 12:30 after the Cub Fun Run with food from a local restaurant.
Race Day Schedule
7:30AM Check-in opens
9AM Black Bear Half Marathon
11:30AM Black Bear 5K
12:00AM 1mi Cub Fun Run
12:30PM Awards and post-race party
NEW IN 2020 - Kids Run Free (whoa!), NEW half-marathon and 5k courses, NEW 2020 Black Bear hats, and NEW finisher medals!
Supporting WVES
All your hard work on the trails will support the Waterville Valley Elementary School PTA in their mission of fostering student growth and development through exploration and adventure. Thank you all for your support in 2019!
Kids Run Free!
Waterville Valley Ski Resort is well known for its unique “Kids Ski Free” program. Introducing… Kids RUN Free! Children under 13 years may sign up to run in the 1 mile or 5k distances. Kids Run Free participants MUST sign up online or on race day. Select the “Kids Run Free” options when checking out online.
The Races
The Black Bear Half Marathon starting at $60
You get a custom hat, finisher’s medal (if you finish!), post-race meal, prize raffle entry. Be sure to pace yourself as you race along this NEW 13.1-mile course along the oldest maintained trail network in the US. Starting and finishing in the picturesque Townsquare, the route rolls along the valley floor and into the hills as you travel in the shadows of the towering 4,000 foot peaks of Tecumseh, the Osceolas, and the Tripyramids. Three aid stations with water, hydration supplement, and nutrition. Terrain detail: 85% double-track trail, 13% single-track trails, 2% road.
The Black Bear 5K starting at $35
You get a custom hat, finisher’s medal (if you finish!), post-race meal, prize raffle entry. Challenge yourself and support WVES on this 5K course along the valley floors’ forested trails. NEW for 2020, the course will run along wide dirt double-track and some windy single-track around the valley’s south-end trails with NO ROAD! Terrain detail: 90% double-track, 10% single-track.
The Bear Cub Fun Run $10
The whole family, including Grandma and Grandpa, will enjoy the scenic 1-mile Bear Cub Fun Run! Whether you take in the Valley's grand views at a walk or make a mad dash for the finish line, you'll lend your valuable support to students at WVES and take home a signature Black Bear medal waiting for you at the finish line. This year’s custom Black Bear hat can be purchased along with your registration. Terrain type: 100% double-track trail.
Other Details
Raffle for EVERYONE
All participants will receive an entry into the post-race prize raffle that will include great goodies from a wide range of vendors including Waterville Valley Resort and local businesses. Stick around for this and food in Town Square after the races at 12:30pm.
Aid Stations
Aid stations will have water, Untapped Maple hydration supplement, and gels. The half-marathon will have 3 aid stations and the 5k will have 1 distributed around the course. Locations of the aid stations will be detailed in the course map once it is released.
Black Bear Hats!
Don't miss out on these sweet-as-honey caps! Half marathon and 5k participants receive a free hat with their entry. Hats can also be purchased during registration and at the event.
Prizes and Age Groups
Handmade mugs and your pick of a prize: Top 3 female/male overall and 1st female/male in age-groups in the half marathon, top 3 female/male overall in the 5k.
Age Groups: U19, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+
Our prize sponsors will be announced prior to the race. Expect goodies like free growler fills at The Dam Brew House, gift cards for local gear shops, discounts at local running stores, entries to upcoming races, and much more!
Post-Race Awards and Lunch
Stick around after the races to keep the fun going! We will hold a raffle and awards party in Town Square at 12:30 after the Cub Fun Run with food from a local restaurant.
Race Day Schedule
7:30AM Check-in opens
9AM Black Bear Half Marathon
11:30AM Black Bear 5K
12:00AM 1mi Cub Fun Run
12:30PM Awards and post-race party