The Beast is back and better than ever! 10 miles, 30 obstacles, one goal – Barber Beast on the Bay promises a one-of-a-kind obstacle course race for an experience that you won’t forget. It’s the only event that combines natural and manmade obstacles with a location voted top in Pennsylvania!

Can you Beat the Beast? The Barber Beast on the Bay is set for Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Presque Isle State Park (USA Today’s ‘Best Pennsylvania Attraction’) in Erie, PA. Take on 10 miles of sand, water, and trails on the shores of Lake Erie as you run, jump, climb and crawl toward the finish line!  

While you tackle the Beast, you’ll also be helping children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities and behavioral health challenges who take on their own obstacles every day. This event supports the Barber National Institute and the 6,200 individuals we serve.

A one-mile adapted course is also offered for those ages 12+ with physical or intellectual disabilities at Waldameer, a theme park in Erie, PA next to Presque Isle State Park. The 10-Mile Course and Adapted Course come together for the final obstacles and all participants cross the finish line together!

Event details and schedule

2024 Barber Beast on the Bay - 9/7/2024
10-Mile Obstacle Course

220 Peninsula Drive
Erie, PA 16505

Registration Options:

• Elite Wave for the intense 10-Mile Obstacle Course competitors who want to win!  8:30 a.m. ONLY
• Timed Waves for 10-Mile Obstacle Course participants who want to know their time to beat next year! 8:45 a.m., 9:00 a.m. or 9:15 a.m. waves ONLY
• Non Timed Waves for 10-Mile Obstacle Course participants who want to have fun!  9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Join a Team to conquer this tough course together for any of the waves!
• Fundraise to get a free Barber Beast on the Bay registration and help a great cause! Sign up to fundraise for the Barber National Institute when you register for the 2024 Barber Beast on the Bay.

Please Note:

Participants must be 16 years of age by 9/7/24 to register.

Please Note: Participants must be registered by 8/1/24, to be guaranteed a t-shirt. If a participant registers after this date, we cannot guarantee a shirt will be available. Please choose your size carefully; shirt sizes cannot be changed once selected.

Please use a valid email address that you check often as we will send important announcements to that address. We cannot be responsible for information that a participant does not see due to an outdated address.

We cannot offer refunds under any circumstances; participants can transfer their registration until 8/21/24. If a registrant cannot participate or transfer their registration, their fee is considered a charitable donation to the Barber Foundation.

THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS, DEFERRALS OR TRANSFERS.

NO EMAILS WILL BE SENT UNTIL RACE WEEK. 

Many answers to questions are on our website, eriemarathon.net.  Due to our park permit all parking will be at Waldameer Park and all will need to walk the .6 miles to the start and after the race.

We will have water stops with water and lemon lime Gatorade. They will be spaced about a mile apart and will also have a porta-potty near each. 

Please be aware that all spectators must be able to walk to the race from Waldameer parking and at no point can they be on any roadway.  If they are on any roadway they will be fined by the park.  There are no food vendors or drink machines at the park, spectators must bring in anything they will need.

Location – Everything happens at the Erie Runners Club Beach 1 Pavilion on Presque Isle State Park. This location will be the start and finish for the marathon.  All race participants must park at Waldameer or the Ridge Center and walk down the hill.

It doesn’t get much flatter with less than a 250-foot total change in elevation for the marathon. The running surface is mostly asphalt but there is still about a third that is concrete. However, most of the course offers a grass surface along the paved surface should you choose to run there. There is a considerable amount of shade and sun on the course, so it just depends upon if your glass is half full or half empty.  This is an all-volunteer run race with a cap of 2000.  We do offer race tracking with RaceJoy and pace groups are contracted through marathonpacing.com.  The course is a Boston Qualifier. 

Event insurance is sold and charged by a separate company and has a separate charge, this is offered through runsignup all questions about insurance go to them,    There is a 6-hour limit and anyone not keeping a 14-minute place will need to finish on the all-purpose trail, you may be moved to the all-purpose trail earlier by request of park rangers. 

Please check out our Facebook page for updates and visit the website www.visiterie.com.