The Story of El Oso Loco
El Oso Loco (The Crazy Bear) Trail Race Series is a summer, mid-week race series meant to highlight the incredible trails of the Bear River Range in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, while bringing the local trail running community together. The series was developed to showcase the trails we have here in Cache Valley's backyard and get more community members involved in the Adopt-a-Trail program in partnership between Cache Trails Alliance (CTA) and the local Forest Service district. All proceeds made through registration fees and t-shirt sales will help CTA grow staff, programming, and resources that will benefit our growing community of trail users.
Race Schedule
June 5th- First Dam/River Trail/ Bridger Look Off
Short course- 4.75 miles, +340 ft
Long course- 8.72 miles, +862 ft
June 12th- Right Hand Fork #1 - Maughan Hollow to Willow Creek
Short course- 5 miles, +895 ft
Long course- 8.2 miles, +1504 ft
June 19th- Jardine Juniper
Short Course- 4.2 miles, +876 ft
Long Course- 9.66 miles, +1902 ft
June 26th- Temple Fork and Spawn Creek
Short Course- 5.2 miles, +713 ft
Long Course- 9.1 miles, +2602 ft
July 10th- Right Hand Fork #2 - Maughan Hollow loop and Willow Creek loop
Short Course- 5.4 miles, +1008 ft
Long Course- 9.2 miles, +1592 ft
July 17th- Tony Grove to Bunchgrass
Short course- 5 miles, +727 ft
Long course- 8.8 miles, +1352 ft
July 24th- Steam Mill to Shorty’s Cutoff to Hell’s Kitchen
Short Course- 5 miles, +1076 ft
Long Course- 8.2 miles, +1785 ft
July 31st- Long Hollow to Peterson Hollow
Short Course- 5.2 miles, +1454 ft
Long Course- 10.4 miles, +2528 ft
Categories and Point System
LONG OR SHORT COURSE
At every race two different races occur. Short Course Race = 4-5 miles and a Long Course Race = 7-10 miles. You must register to participate in either the short race series or long race series. You cannot mix and match distances. See here for downloadable course maps.
POINT SYSTEM EXPLAINED
You must participate in at least 6 Races to be considered for end of season awards. Participation is running in at least 6 races or running in at least 5 races and volunteering (5pm - close) once. Note- if you run in all 8 races, all your points will count.
POINTS BREAKDOWN:
1st place - 25 pts
2nd place - 20 pts
3rd place - 16 pts
4th place - 13 pts
5th place - 11 pts
6th place - 10 pts
7th place - 9 pts
8th place - 8 pts
9th place - 7 pts
10+ place - 6 pts
In other words, everyone who runs will receive at least 6 points for racing.
POINTS FOR VOLUNTEERING
Runners will receive 25 series points (equivalent of 1st place) for volunteering at a race from 5pm - Close. You may volunteer more than once but will only receive the 25 points one time. Runners can also receive 25 points for volunteering for a trail work day led by an Adopt a Trail (AAT) volunteer. We want to motivate runners to get more involved with CTA's AAT program, and our trails always need extra hands! Runners will only receive the 25 points one time, but are encouraged to volunteer for trail work throughout the year.
END OF SEASON AWARDS
Will be given to the top 3 series point leaders for both the Long and Short Course at the end of the season. Additional age bracket winners may be awarded. You must participate in at least 6 Wednesday evening races to be considered for end of season awards. This creates the possibility of someone who has enough points to place in the top 3 in their category but does not qualify for end of season awards due to not having raced the minimum amount of races. In that case, the next qualifying participant on the points ladder will be considered for that award. This system favors the consistent racer.
This is a 2 month fitness program. You will get in shape, increase your speed, learn new trails, and create new friendships!
Long Course Races Start at 6:30 PM.
Short Course Races Start at 6:45 PM
DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RUN WITH PARTICIPANTS.
Registration Details
Registration is capped at 125 runners for each race date. This means that no more than 125 racers total (both short and long courses) will be permitted for each race date.
Series passes ($110) will go on sale March 11th. Individual race registrations ($25) will go on sale April 1st. Prices increase to $125 for series passes and $30 for individual races on June 1st.
Refunds will only be issued if you cancel your registration before June 1st. After that date, registrations can be transferred to another runner. Please let us know if you cannot make a race. See more below!
Common Questions
1. Can I register for some short courses and some long courses?
If you are a series pass holder, you must select whether you will run in the long courses or short courses. There is no mix-matching.
If you are registering for individual races, you may select some short courses and other long courses, but be aware that your points do not get combined. You will have a total number of points in the short series and a total number of points in the long series, limiting your chances for awards.
2. What if I paid for the series pass, but can't make a race?
Please fill out this form as soon as possible, or at least 48 hours in advance if you cannot make a race in the series. This will allow us to open your spot up to an individual race registrant.
3. What if I registered for an individual race, but can't make it?
Same as above! Please fill out this form to let the RD know as soon as possible.
4. What gear is recommended?
Good trail shoes, comfortable running clothes, a hat/sunglasses, sunscreen, a water bottle, smart phone/GPS watch for a course map. Note that there are no aid stations out on course. You must carry your own water/fuel. There is water available at the course start/finish.
