Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run
Encyclopedia
Ultramarathon
An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
that traverses the Wasatch
Wasatch Range
The Wasatch Range is a mountain range that stretches approximately from the Utah-Idaho border, south through central Utah in the western United States. It is generally considered the western edge of the greater Rocky Mountains, and the eastern edge of the Great Basin region...
and Bear River Ranges
Bear River Mountains
The Bear River Mountains are located in northeastern Utah and southeastern Idaho. One of the mountains' sinks recorded the lowest temperature in Utah on February 1, 1985, at , which is also the second-lowest temperature ever recorded in the contiguous United States. U.S...
west of Bear Lake, from Logan, Utah
Logan, Utah
-Layout of the City:Logan's city grid originates from its Main and Center Street block, with Main Street running north and south, and Center east and west. Each block north, east, south, or west of the origin accumulates in additions of 100 , though some streets have non-numeric names...
to Fish Haven, Idaho
Fish Haven, Idaho
Fish Haven is an unincorporated community along the shores of Bear Lake in Bear Lake County, Idaho, United States. The town was founded by Mormon pioneers in 1864. Among the earliest settlers were Hugh Findlay and Henry Howell. It is right on the border of Idaho and Utah....
. With 21986 ft (6,701.3 m) of climb and an average elevation of 7700 ft (2,347 m), it is one of the more difficult ultramarathons. Even so, runners of all skill are attracted to it, largely because of its 36-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 "36 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 (80.5 km) of snow-covered terrain and enduring temperatures down to 17F.
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 100Leadville Trail 100
Leadville Trail 100 Ultramarathon is an ultramarathon held annually on trails and dirt roads near Leadville, Colorado, through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. First run in 1983, runners in the race climb and descend , with elevations ranging between 9,200-12,620 feet...
, the Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run, the Bighorn 100, or the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run
Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run
The Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run is a 100 mile ultra marathon held annually on the first Friday after Labor Day in the U.S. state of Utah...
. The award is presented at and hosted by the Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run, as this is the final run in the series.