Black Bear Trail Races
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Event overview
The Black Bear Trail Races take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. The event features multiple trail distances that start and finish near Waterville Valley Town Square at 33 Village Road. Courses use the local trail network in the White Mountain area and are routed around and beneath nearby 4,000-foot peaks.
- 50K
- 23K
- 4 Mile
- 1 Mile Fun Run
Course and logistics
The 50K course is described as about 30.8 miles with roughly 7,700 feet of cumulative elevation gain and includes climbs of Snow's Mountain, East Osceola, Osceola, and Tecumseh. The 23K route runs along the older maintained trail network in the valley and includes three aid stations; terrain is listed as mostly double-track with some single-track and a small amount of road. The 4-mile course covers about 4.1 miles and approximately 600 feet of climbing on a mix of single-track and double-track. The Bear Cub Fun Run is a short, largely double-track family run.
Aid stations are cup-less; participants must bring their own hydration system. Mandatory gear is required for the 50K and is checked on race morning; required items include a headlamp, extra batteries, at least 2 liters of water, 400 calories of food, a windbreaker or rain shell, and an emergency blanket. Crews and pacers are not allowed on course; drop bags are permitted at the start/finish. All finishers receive a commemorative award and podium awards are given to top finishers by gender in each distance. Live split tracking is provided during the race weekend. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
