Marathon Details - The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain

North America Marathons > USA > NY > Bear Mountain > The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain

The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain & 50M, 50K, Relay, Half Marathon, 10K

Bear Mountain, NY USA

May 4, 2019

http://www.thenorthface.com/en_US/endurance-challenge/bear-mountain-ny

Results:

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Top 3 Finishers by Year

Contact

Name:
Address:	The North Face Endurance Challenge c/o hawkeye 2828 Routh Street, Suite 325 Dallas, TX 75201
Phone Number:	(214) 451-1909
Fax Number:	(214) 451-1910
Email:	Email the organizers



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Reviews

Course 4.4

Organization 3.9

Spectators 3.3

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Number of comments: 9

J. D. from Colorado (5/4/2014) "Tough course" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the 50k version of this event in 2014. I've done other challenging trail races. Specifically, I ran the Pikes Peak Marathon in 2013 (about 17,000 feet elevation change, max elevation over 14,000 feet). I'd say this race is less difficult, but comparable. The trail itself is difficult. THis year was apparently especially challenging. Winter ran long, so none of the trees had leaves on them. Consequently, there was no shelter from the sun. Because the temperature had been so cold this winter, there were still a ton of leaves on the trail, making it difficult to see rocks, roots, etc. Additionally, there were a bunch of sections of the trail that were plain difficult. For about a mile, the trail narrowed so much that you were almost bushwhacking on both sides. Because of recent rain, about a third of the course was completely covered in unavoidable mud. I also wore normal running shoes. Normal running shoes served me well in the Pikes Peak Marathon, and I've been too cheap to purchase proper trail shoes. I would say proper trail shoes are a necessity for this race. There was one section where you were essentially running down a shallow stream. Because of the number of rocks, it wasn't safe to run with normal running shoes. The organization was mostly good. There was no problem following the trail markings, but they did have a snafu with the medals and ended up giving us temporary medals.
John Sovocool from Cooperstown, NY (5/9/2012) "Insanely difficult!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 50K at Bear Mountain after running the Nashville Marathon last weekend and had a great time. The course was incredibly difficult but that is what makes it so fun. With so many marathons being dumbed down to make them faster and easier, it is invigorating to find a race that truely challenges you physically and mentally. But, the best aspect of Bear Mountain is the people who come out to do it. They are driven, determined, excited about a new challenge, risk-takers, adventuresome and fun. Great people to hang out with. Bear Mountain is not for most runners. Most will find it too challening but if you truely want to push your limits and see what you are made of than this race is for you!
T. R. from US (5/5/2012) "Great course..poor organization from race official" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I have run two North Face Challenge runs, 50k Washington DC and 50K Bear Mountain in 2012. The race in Bear Mountain is very beautiful, challenging course, hard, rocks, very good for us trail lovers. Aid stations are great. Bad part of the race was toward the end of the run, several of us took a wrong turn because of poor markings; so we actually back tracked at a crossing and went back up toward the start of the race instead of the finish direction. VERY POOR MARKINGS. Then we were turned around at a previous station, told we went wrong way. On the way I turned around 3 other runners doing the same thing that were behind me. Get to the finish line and visited with the Director, Nick, and he says if you would of go to the right you would of see a marker. We followed the markers to the left, how do we know which direction is to the finish line?? 'Well, 300 other people didn't get lost, what you want I do.' I replied, total 7 people made that wrong turn and I myself ended up doing 5 extra miles, you should either have someone at that point or have your sweeper take ribbon and close off the turn that goes back tracks back to the start. Nick replies, 'Well you guys should of know you already did that part of the course and are going backwards.' Excuse me NICKSTER...obviously he is not a runner and/or not a trail runner for sure. After 28 miles we should of know we were heading the wrong way. All in all, it is 20% of your runners made that wrong turn. Don't make stupid comments to experienced ultra runners who fly/travel across state to be apart of your run, just apologize and say we are sorry and will correct it for next year, good suggestion to take some cheap tape and close that off. But that he did not do, instead he concluded, 'Well you guys finished anyhow, what is the difference it took you longer and you did more miles.' After that I thought, well you just lost a supporter of the North Face Challenge runs and I will not be back to any of them again just because of his comments. All in all, the race is great if you are a trail lover, very technical.
A. L. from New Jersey (1/10/2012) "It does not get tougher than this" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My comments are geared toward the Half Marathon but you can just multiple the pain and suffering by two and get the idea. I have run many trail runs and this has to be one of the tougher ones in the US. The half marathon scares me more than any road marathon I have run so that should give you an idea of what you will be dealing with. As you may have read on previous reviews - this may not be the trail run that you want to try if you have Never run on trails before. Some Key Points: - North Face organizes everything great - Good Swag (Stuff you get when entering) - Killer Course = It is called BEAR MOUNTAIN for a reason! You are running up & down hills (should say up a few Mountains) for most of the course. And this is not some neat wide fire trail with pine needles and cute bunny rabbits - you are running over/thru rocks, mud, branches, ditches, small streams, etc. In other words you are going to fall, get beat-up, get tired, feel like you can't finish, AND you will still have a BLAST! cause it is what a trail run is all about. :) Join up, challenge yourself to something you may not finish but do your trail run training (lots of hills etc)& wear your trail shoes = this is not the race to try out your new bear foot running style ;)
K. D. from New York (12/29/2011) "challenging but rewarding" (about: 2011) 3 previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The half marathon is tough, but rewarding! Not a good race for spectators except for the start and finish. The course through out Bear Mountain is beautiful but technical!
J. V. from Flowery Branch, GA (5/17/2011) "Simply Brutal!" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a tough marathon, especially for those who are not grizzled trail vets. It's a lot of climbing, and a lot of big rocks - even on the descents. With only three aid stations, carrying your own water is a must (I didn't, and paid for it dearly). The organization was first-rate, however. But be warned that this course makes Pikes Peak look easy.
B. C. from Worcester, MA (5/12/2011) "Are you ready for a trail marathon?" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Yup, first one for me. Wish I had some more experience in the woods. I thought my 15 years of hiking in the White Mountains and my 46 previous marathon finishes would guide me to a spectacular trail marathon finish. Wrong! Sure, it helped mentally... but this was one tough day at the office on race day. Over 4,000 feet climbing combined with 4,000 feet of descending. I knew I was out of my element when I arrived at the pre-race start. Very... very... very serious runners. No conversation along with introverted behavior. I heard trail runners were a different breed. Yup. They are. I wondered if they knew something I did not. Turns out, they did. Running and power hiking along the single track trails was demanding and earthy at the same time. Either the trail went up or it went down. No flat stretches offering cool-downs. My feet struck dirt, streams, roots and rocks. Lots of rocks. More than I expected, so be prepared for some blisters from the rubbing as your foot strike slides down a rock's side. I rated the spectators 5 stars because there were none. That's the quiet and beauty of a trail run. It's a 5-star kick-butt route. The organization was rated 3 stars because they were one water station short. Running 5-6 miles in the woods between water stops requires the runner to carry much fluid. As a rookie, you can conclude I did not carry enough. I crawled to a 6.5-hour finish from my normal 3:55 marathon time. With my new found experience, I would do the following next time (yes, there will be a next time): 1. Carry two 16-oz. water bottles (vs. my two 8-oz. bottles). 2. Do repeats of stadium stairs at the local college. 3. Don't do the Boston Marathon 3 weeks before your first trail marathon. 4. Carry blister Band-Aids in your running shirt pocket for in-field first aid. 5. Listen carefully for rattlesnakes along the course (yes, there was one, but it was pointed out to me by a fellow runner. I would have missed it otherwise.). 6. Eat more because you are out there for more hours than a road marathon. 7. Get more rock running experience with trail shoes. 8. Keep smiling because it does hurt more than a road marathon. 9. Pick a race close to home where the climate/terrain are known. 10. Run with a bike shirt with lots of pockets. Thanks to North Face for welcoming me into a new world of trail running. I'll try to break 6 hours next time!
C. E. from Brooklyn (5/10/2011) "Amazing and brutal. Do it." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This is not a marathon or 50K/50M to be entered into like any other. You will be negotiating precipitous drops, nonstop large stones, creeks, swamp-like muddy areas, fallen trees, uncut brush and climbing rocks. Add at least 2 hours to your "regular" marathon PR to get a sense of how long it will take. There is a high risk of injury. All this said, I loved it and hated it and it will be something I'll remember for a lifetime, even after 10 marathons. The course markings can be confusing; I and 3 other people on my team ended up running more than we should have. In my case, a marathon turned into a 50K, which was a little challenging and frustrating. The marshals didn't seem to know what to do when this happens. The start, finish, and aid stations were amazing - every type of nutrition source you can possibly want (peanut butter sandwiches, GU, chips, pretzels, candy, bananas, drinks, etc.). They provide you with heated tents at the beginning and ice baths at the end. Beautiful, fierce, no one around but you and your breathing... this is a mystical race. My 3 stars should be higher but there were no spectators except for some birds. :)
A. M. from Kansas City, MO (5/9/2011) "Aptly called an 'Endurance Challenge'" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Maybe not the smartest choice for a first trail marathon, but it was a great trial by fire. The terrain was brutal, rarely staying the same for a quarter mile. Steep, rocky terrain mixed with some fire roads and real 'trails'. We had to climb some terrain hand over hand (4200ft overall gain). Some parts were nearly comical. The course was very well marked, and the aid stations were well supported. No surprise that there were few spectators, the course was pretty remote. The scenery was fabulous, except that the technical terrain rarely let me look up from my feet. My time (and most of the others) seemed to run about 1.5x a normal race time. I was thrilled to finish in 4:59. The other runners were great - I've never seen so much cooperation and support on the course. North Face did a good job organizing, but a few quibbles: bland medals (no medals at all for the half!), massage and t-shirt printer missing at festival, age groups awards only 1 deep. This will not be my last trail race!

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J. D. from Colorado (5/4/2014) "Tough course" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the 50k version of this event in 2014. I've done other challenging trail races. Specifically, I ran the Pikes Peak Marathon in 2013 (about 17,000 feet elevation change, max elevation over 14,000 feet). I'd say this race is less difficult, but comparable. The trail itself is difficult. THis year was apparently especially challenging. Winter ran long, so none of the trees had leaves on them. Consequently, there was no shelter from the sun. Because the temperature had been so cold this winter, there were still a ton of leaves on the trail, making it difficult to see rocks, roots, etc. Additionally, there were a bunch of sections of the trail that were plain difficult. For about a mile, the trail narrowed so much that you were almost bushwhacking on both sides. Because of recent rain, about a third of the course was completely covered in unavoidable mud. I also wore normal running shoes. Normal running shoes served me well in the Pikes Peak Marathon, and I've been too cheap to purchase proper trail shoes. I would say proper trail shoes are a necessity for this race. There was one section where you were essentially running down a shallow stream. Because of the number of rocks, it wasn't safe to run with normal running shoes. The organization was mostly good. There was no problem following the trail markings, but they did have a snafu with the medals and ended up giving us temporary medals.
John Sovocool from Cooperstown, NY (5/9/2012) "Insanely difficult!" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the 50K at Bear Mountain after running the Nashville Marathon last weekend and had a great time. The course was incredibly difficult but that is what makes it so fun. With so many marathons being dumbed down to make them faster and easier, it is invigorating to find a race that truely challenges you physically and mentally. But, the best aspect of Bear Mountain is the people who come out to do it. They are driven, determined, excited about a new challenge, risk-takers, adventuresome and fun. Great people to hang out with. Bear Mountain is not for most runners. Most will find it too challening but if you truely want to push your limits and see what you are made of than this race is for you!
T. R. from US (5/5/2012) "Great course..poor organization from race official" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 3 I have run two North Face Challenge runs, 50k Washington DC and 50K Bear Mountain in 2012. The race in Bear Mountain is very beautiful, challenging course, hard, rocks, very good for us trail lovers. Aid stations are great. Bad part of the race was toward the end of the run, several of us took a wrong turn because of poor markings; so we actually back tracked at a crossing and went back up toward the start of the race instead of the finish direction. VERY POOR MARKINGS. Then we were turned around at a previous station, told we went wrong way. On the way I turned around 3 other runners doing the same thing that were behind me. Get to the finish line and visited with the Director, Nick, and he says if you would of go to the right you would of see a marker. We followed the markers to the left, how do we know which direction is to the finish line?? 'Well, 300 other people didn't get lost, what you want I do.' I replied, total 7 people made that wrong turn and I myself ended up doing 5 extra miles, you should either have someone at that point or have your sweeper take ribbon and close off the turn that goes back tracks back to the start. Nick replies, 'Well you guys should of know you already did that part of the course and are going backwards.' Excuse me NICKSTER...obviously he is not a runner and/or not a trail runner for sure. After 28 miles we should of know we were heading the wrong way. All in all, it is 20% of your runners made that wrong turn. Don't make stupid comments to experienced ultra runners who fly/travel across state to be apart of your run, just apologize and say we are sorry and will correct it for next year, good suggestion to take some cheap tape and close that off. But that he did not do, instead he concluded, 'Well you guys finished anyhow, what is the difference it took you longer and you did more miles.' After that I thought, well you just lost a supporter of the North Face Challenge runs and I will not be back to any of them again just because of his comments. All in all, the race is great if you are a trail lover, very technical.
A. L. from New Jersey (1/10/2012) "It does not get tougher than this" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My comments are geared toward the Half Marathon but you can just multiple the pain and suffering by two and get the idea. I have run many trail runs and this has to be one of the tougher ones in the US. The half marathon scares me more than any road marathon I have run so that should give you an idea of what you will be dealing with. As you may have read on previous reviews - this may not be the trail run that you want to try if you have Never run on trails before. Some Key Points: - North Face organizes everything great - Good Swag (Stuff you get when entering) - Killer Course = It is called BEAR MOUNTAIN for a reason! You are running up & down hills (should say up a few Mountains) for most of the course. And this is not some neat wide fire trail with pine needles and cute bunny rabbits - you are running over/thru rocks, mud, branches, ditches, small streams, etc. In other words you are going to fall, get beat-up, get tired, feel like you can't finish, AND you will still have a BLAST! cause it is what a trail run is all about. :) Join up, challenge yourself to something you may not finish but do your trail run training (lots of hills etc)& wear your trail shoes = this is not the race to try out your new bear foot running style ;)
K. D. from New York (12/29/2011) "challenging but rewarding" (about: 2011) 3 previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 The half marathon is tough, but rewarding! Not a good race for spectators except for the start and finish. The course through out Bear Mountain is beautiful but technical!
J. V. from Flowery Branch, GA (5/17/2011) "Simply Brutal!" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a tough marathon, especially for those who are not grizzled trail vets. It's a lot of climbing, and a lot of big rocks - even on the descents. With only three aid stations, carrying your own water is a must (I didn't, and paid for it dearly). The organization was first-rate, however. But be warned that this course makes Pikes Peak look easy.
B. C. from Worcester, MA (5/12/2011) "Are you ready for a trail marathon?" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Yup, first one for me. Wish I had some more experience in the woods. I thought my 15 years of hiking in the White Mountains and my 46 previous marathon finishes would guide me to a spectacular trail marathon finish. Wrong! Sure, it helped mentally... but this was one tough day at the office on race day. Over 4,000 feet climbing combined with 4,000 feet of descending. I knew I was out of my element when I arrived at the pre-race start. Very... very... very serious runners. No conversation along with introverted behavior. I heard trail runners were a different breed. Yup. They are. I wondered if they knew something I did not. Turns out, they did. Running and power hiking along the single track trails was demanding and earthy at the same time. Either the trail went up or it went down. No flat stretches offering cool-downs. My feet struck dirt, streams, roots and rocks. Lots of rocks. More than I expected, so be prepared for some blisters from the rubbing as your foot strike slides down a rock's side. I rated the spectators 5 stars because there were none. That's the quiet and beauty of a trail run. It's a 5-star kick-butt route. The organization was rated 3 stars because they were one water station short. Running 5-6 miles in the woods between water stops requires the runner to carry much fluid. As a rookie, you can conclude I did not carry enough. I crawled to a 6.5-hour finish from my normal 3:55 marathon time. With my new found experience, I would do the following next time (yes, there will be a next time): 1. Carry two 16-oz. water bottles (vs. my two 8-oz. bottles). 2. Do repeats of stadium stairs at the local college. 3. Don't do the Boston Marathon 3 weeks before your first trail marathon. 4. Carry blister Band-Aids in your running shirt pocket for in-field first aid. 5. Listen carefully for rattlesnakes along the course (yes, there was one, but it was pointed out to me by a fellow runner. I would have missed it otherwise.). 6. Eat more because you are out there for more hours than a road marathon. 7. Get more rock running experience with trail shoes. 8. Keep smiling because it does hurt more than a road marathon. 9. Pick a race close to home where the climate/terrain are known. 10. Run with a bike shirt with lots of pockets. Thanks to North Face for welcoming me into a new world of trail running. I'll try to break 6 hours next time!
C. E. from Brooklyn (5/10/2011) "Amazing and brutal. Do it." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 This is not a marathon or 50K/50M to be entered into like any other. You will be negotiating precipitous drops, nonstop large stones, creeks, swamp-like muddy areas, fallen trees, uncut brush and climbing rocks. Add at least 2 hours to your "regular" marathon PR to get a sense of how long it will take. There is a high risk of injury. All this said, I loved it and hated it and it will be something I'll remember for a lifetime, even after 10 marathons. The course markings can be confusing; I and 3 other people on my team ended up running more than we should have. In my case, a marathon turned into a 50K, which was a little challenging and frustrating. The marshals didn't seem to know what to do when this happens. The start, finish, and aid stations were amazing - every type of nutrition source you can possibly want (peanut butter sandwiches, GU, chips, pretzels, candy, bananas, drinks, etc.). They provide you with heated tents at the beginning and ice baths at the end. Beautiful, fierce, no one around but you and your breathing... this is a mystical race. My 3 stars should be higher but there were no spectators except for some birds. :)
A. M. from Kansas City, MO (5/9/2011) "Aptly called an 'Endurance Challenge'" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Maybe not the smartest choice for a first trail marathon, but it was a great trial by fire. The terrain was brutal, rarely staying the same for a quarter mile. Steep, rocky terrain mixed with some fire roads and real 'trails'. We had to climb some terrain hand over hand (4200ft overall gain). Some parts were nearly comical. The course was very well marked, and the aid stations were well supported. No surprise that there were few spectators, the course was pretty remote. The scenery was fabulous, except that the technical terrain rarely let me look up from my feet. My time (and most of the others) seemed to run about 1.5x a normal race time. I was thrilled to finish in 4:59. The other runners were great - I've never seen so much cooperation and support on the course. North Face did a good job organizing, but a few quibbles: bland medals (no medals at all for the half!), massage and t-shirt printer missing at festival, age groups awards only 1 deep. This will not be my last trail race!

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Marathon Details - The North Face Endurance Challenge - Bear Mountain