Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2, 2023
Join us in Waterville Valley for a scenic half marathon, short trail, and fun run
Join us in Waterville Valley for a scenic half marathon, short trail, and fun run
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With generous support from
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The Black Bear Half Marathon
You get a finisher’s medal (if you finish), post-race snacks, and the chance to win prizes. Be sure to pace yourself as you race along the 13.1-mile course on the oldest maintained trail network in the US. Starting and finishing in the picturesque Town Square, 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: 85% double-track trail, 13% single-track trail, and 2% road.
You get a finisher’s medal (if you finish), post-race snacks, and the chance to win prizes. Be sure to pace yourself as you race along the 13.1-mile course on the oldest maintained trail network in the US. Starting and finishing in the picturesque Town Square, 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: 85% double-track trail, 13% single-track trail, and 2% road.
The Black Bear Short Trail
4 miles and 600 feet of trail through White Mountain forests and streams around the valley floor. You get a finisher’s medal, post-race snacks, and the chance to win prizes in the raffle. The course runs along a mix of single track and wide dirt double-track around the valley’s south-end trails with NO ROAD! Terrain: 50% double-track, 50% single-track.
4 miles and 600 feet of trail through White Mountain forests and streams around the valley floor. You get a finisher’s medal, post-race snacks, and the chance to win prizes in the raffle. The course runs along a mix of single track and wide dirt double-track around the valley’s south-end trails with NO ROAD! Terrain: 50% double-track, 50% single-track.
The Bear Cub Fun Run
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. If parents want to run with their children, they must also be registered. Terrain: 100% double-track trail.
Kids Run Free!
Waterville Valley Ski Resort is well known for its unique “Kids Ski Free” program. Now introducing, Kids RUN Free! Children under 13 years old may sign up to run in the 1 mile or short trail distances. Kids Run Free participants MUST sign up online or on race day. Parents must register to run with their children.
Black Bear Shirts and Caps
Don't miss out on these good looking threads! Represent our favorite mountains whether you’re on trail or off. Caps are adjustable one-size-fits all. Shirts available in men’s and women’s sizes. Available at check-in and hats available online.
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. If parents want to run with their children, they must also be registered. Terrain: 100% double-track trail.
Kids Run Free!
Waterville Valley Ski Resort is well known for its unique “Kids Ski Free” program. Now introducing, Kids RUN Free! Children under 13 years old may sign up to run in the 1 mile or short trail distances. Kids Run Free participants MUST sign up online or on race day. Parents must register to run with their children.
Black Bear Shirts and Caps
Don't miss out on these good looking threads! Represent our favorite mountains whether you’re on trail or off. Caps are adjustable one-size-fits all. Shirts available in men’s and women’s sizes. Available at check-in and hats available online.
Get Ready to Race with Miles and Mountain Coaching!
We’ve partnered with Miles and Mountains Coaching this year to get you race ready! Much more than a training plan, coach Josh offers fully-customized, adaptive and supportive coaching that has helped hundreds exceed their wildest dreams. As a registered participant in the Black Bear Trail Races you can take 30% off your first 3 months of training and 10% off all future training in 2023. The 30% off discount is limited to the first 6 participants to take it, so don’t sit on this great opportunity for empathetic, person-centered coaching! Learn more about Miles and Mountains Training.
Race Day Schedule
7:30AM Check-in opens
9:00AM Black Bear Half Marathon
10:00AM Black Bear Short Trail
11:00AM 1 mile Bear Cub Fun Run
We’ve partnered with Miles and Mountains Coaching this year to get you race ready! Much more than a training plan, coach Josh offers fully-customized, adaptive and supportive coaching that has helped hundreds exceed their wildest dreams. As a registered participant in the Black Bear Trail Races you can take 30% off your first 3 months of training and 10% off all future training in 2023. The 30% off discount is limited to the first 6 participants to take it, so don’t sit on this great opportunity for empathetic, person-centered coaching! Learn more about Miles and Mountains Training.
Race Day Schedule
7:30AM Check-in opens
9:00AM Black Bear Half Marathon
10:00AM Black Bear Short Trail
11:00AM 1 mile Bear Cub Fun Run
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. The support from previous participants has made an amazing impact in the school community as the student body tripled in size in 2020! Thank you for all your support, racers!
Results
The races will be digitally timed by our good friends at Millennium Running and results posted soon after the race.
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. The support from previous participants has made an amazing impact in the school community as the student body tripled in size in 2020! Thank you for all your support, racers!
Results
The races will be digitally timed by our good friends at Millennium Running and results posted soon after the race.
The Pemi Race Series
This race is part of the inaugural Pemi Race Series! Run with us in the Pemi valley and win points to qualify for end of year overall and age group prizes from Altra, Fresh Tracks, and local businesses.
This race is part of the inaugural Pemi Race Series! Run with us in the Pemi valley and win points to qualify for end of year overall and age group prizes from Altra, Fresh Tracks, and local businesses.
Prizes and Age Groups
1st overall female and male, half and Short Trail: Sponsor products or raffle items
2nd, 3rd overall female and male, half: Sponsor product or raffle items
1st age group female and male, half (not Short Trail): Sponsor product or raffle items
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 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! Prizes and results will be available at the timing tent shortly after you finish.
Aid Stations
PLEASE BRING A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOU! We want to cut down on waste as much as possible! Aid stations will have water, a hydration supplement, and nutrition. The half marathon will have 3 aid stations distributed around the course and the Short Trail will have 1. Locations of the aid stations will be detailed in the course map once it is released. An aid station will also be present at the finish line.
USATF
This is a USATF sanctioned event. It's organizers participate in the Safe Sport initiative and abibe by USATF regulations.
Refunds
>30 days before race day: Full refund.
30-15 days before race day: 50% fee or credit for next year's event, OR bib and any race gear included with registration sent to you.
<15 days before race day: No refund, race gear and any purchases can be sent to you.
All details are subject to change. Participants will be notified of any changes.
1st overall female and male, half and Short Trail: Sponsor products or raffle items
2nd, 3rd overall female and male, half: Sponsor product or raffle items
1st age group female and male, half (not Short Trail): Sponsor product or raffle items
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 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! Prizes and results will be available at the timing tent shortly after you finish.
Aid Stations
PLEASE BRING A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOU! We want to cut down on waste as much as possible! Aid stations will have water, a hydration supplement, and nutrition. The half marathon will have 3 aid stations distributed around the course and the Short Trail will have 1. Locations of the aid stations will be detailed in the course map once it is released. An aid station will also be present at the finish line.
USATF
This is a USATF sanctioned event. It's organizers participate in the Safe Sport initiative and abibe by USATF regulations.
Refunds
>30 days before race day: Full refund.
30-15 days before race day: 50% fee or credit for next year's event, OR bib and any race gear included with registration sent to you.
<15 days before race day: No refund, race gear and any purchases can be sent to you.
All details are subject to change. Participants will be notified of any changes.