Black Bear Trail Races
Welcome to the Black Bear Trail Races, hosted by White Mountain Endurance in scenic Waterville Valley, New Hampshire!
Join us for an unforgettable trail running experience with events for every level. Test your limits with our demanding 50K, a formidable journey boasting 7,700 feet of climbing around iconic 4,000 foot peaks, or choose the classic 23K course through the oldest maintained trail network in the United States.
We also offer a beautiful 4 mile tour of White Mountain forests and streams with no road, and a delightful 1 mile Bear Cub Fun Run for the whole family! All four courses start and finish near the Waterville Valley Town Square, and promise stunning views, finisher's medals, post-race snacks, and the spirit of mountain running.
Black Bear 50K: Embark on a 50K journey with us around the 4,000 foot peaks surrounding Waterville Valley. The course starts near Town Square, covering a total of 7,700 feet of cumulative elevation as it climbs Snow's Mountain, East Osceola, Osceola, and Tecumseh, before sending it back to Town Square, around the XC ski trails for a hero's welcome. Racers will be supported with multiple aid stations along the way.
Black Bear 23K: Race along the 23K course that participants 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. The course features three aid stations with hydration and nutrition.
Black Bear 4 Miler: Four scenic trails miles and 600 feet of climbing on singletrack and doubletrack through White Mountain forests and streams around the valley floor.
Bear Cub Fun Run: The whole family will enjoy the scenic one mile Bear Cub Fun Run!
Weekend Schedule
Saturday
5:00AM Bib pickup opens for 50K
6:00AM Black Bear 50K starts
8:00AM Black Bear 23K starts
10:00AM Black Bear 4 Mile starts
11:00AM Bear Cub Fun Run starts
6:00PM Black Bear 50K course closes
Mandatory Equipment
Mandatory equipment is required for 50K participants at the Black Bear Trail Races. Mountain weather is subject to extreme changes and a large portion of the course over the mountain is fully exposed to the elements. Be responsible. You will be disqualified if you do not carry the mandatory gear listed below and it will be checked upon bib pickup on race morning.
Gear list:
Headlamp
Extra batteries
Ability to carry 2 liters of water
2 liters of water at start
400 calories of food
Space blanket or emergency blanket
Windbreaker/Rain shell
Highly Recommended:
Water Filter (i.e Katahdin BeFree)
GPX File of the course
Cell phone battery charger
Please note this event is cup less and you will need to bring your own hydration system (bottle/cup/vest/etc.). The aid stations will not have any disposable cups for participants. This is in an effort to reduce waste at the event. You can purchase your own reusable cup through the "Store" tab.
Volunteering
We appreciate our volunteers! Join us in providing an awesome experience! For many, volunteering is rewarding in its own right and a great way to give back to the running community. For others, it is a way to see things from the other side of the table, and learn a lot about running races before jumping into them. All volunteers earn race credits toward any future Aravaipa event. Register for an available shift for the Black Bear Trail Races.
Event's current local time: 2:04 PM ET
