Endure the Bear on the Horizon!

Open Air Big Bear’s Conquer the Bear, and Conquer the Cub High Altitude Multisport Challenges presents participants with a yearlong race series covering multiple disciplines including snowshoeing, mountain biking, and kayaking. Since mid-February athletes have trained and prepared themselves for all the challenges, we now call 'Big Bear Mountain Skills'. It all started with the Snow Shoe race on a nice sunny winter day, moved onto the incredible trails for the Ride the Bear Mountain Bike, then the white sand beach and placid waters of Big Bear Lake for the PaddleFest Kayak race. Now, the ridges and single track just above the village of Big Bear will host hundreds of trail runners, for the Endure the Bear.

The series concludes with the Endure the Bear Trail Run challenging competitors to tackle a 4th discipline along with the difficult terrain and thin air found in the mountains surrounding Big Bear Lake. In just its second year, Endure the Bear is proving itself as a premier trail run of the western U.S., with events to suit the novice on up to the elite/ultra-adventurer.

The event starts and ends in The Village of Big Bear Lake where athletes can count on blazing sun, mild alpine temperatures and a resort with all the resources for a comfortable adventure getaway. Those participating in the Conquer the Bear series will be competing to split a $1000 cash prize as well as the FRS King of The Mountain Award worth $50 cash to the first Conquer the Bear, and Conquer the Cub Athletes each to reach the designated point on their respective course.

Race director Paul Romero is getting excited for the event and notes that “The real show down to watch is the Conquer the Bear challenge, these athletes that have tackled all the Open Air Big Bear events, in a challenge for accumulated time throughout the year. It all comes down to the run for the champion to be crowned, and race for the $1000 cash, winner takes all!”

Along with the Conquer the Bear athletes, Endure the Bear Trail Run offers something for everybody with a variety of race distances. The family fun run 5k presents the shortest challenge for participants while the 15k serves up a small taste of big mountain running. For the more experienced athletes the 30k provides a mix of long distance and stunning vistas and the 50k offers those prepared with an exciting ultra-endurance challenge.

Open Air Big Bear and sponsor Big Bear Vacations will also be teaming up to provide one lucky participant with free lodging for race weekend. Those athletes who are pre-registered for any of the trail run distances by September 2nd will be entered into a drawing to win 2 free nights lodging on the South Shore of Big Bear Lake. In addition, those athletes who are registered prior to September 1st will receive a free race shirt.

(Stunning Views await those brave enough to Endure the Bear)

 

Volunteers are also needed. Come get an inside view of the course and race activities. Cheer your friends and family from an aid station. Get involved, email karen@teamsole.com

For more information on Endure the Bear, Conquer the Bear or Conquer the Cub Race Series, including registration details or contest information visit http://www.openairbigbear.com/.