Grin & Bear It
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The Grin & Bear It
The Grin & Bear It is a trail running and mountain bike event held at the Crested Butte Nordic Center in downtown Crested Butte on July 10, 2027. Distances offered include:
- 15 km run
- 25 km run
- 25 km mountain bike race
The 25 km loop for both runners and bikers gains and loses about 2,900 feet and begins and ends at the Nordic Center. The course climbs through singletrack and switchbacks to a high saddle and a course high point at 10,983 feet, then follows a rocky, traversing section before reaching the Green Lake trail junction. Runners use a 0.3 mile spur to reach Green Lake and a small aid station; bikers continue on the main route instead. The final section is a descending 4.5 mile stretch that drops roughly 2,100 feet back into town.
The 15 km run is an out-and-back route with about 1,600 feet of elevation gain and loss. It follows singletrack and dirt roads to Green Lake and returns to the Nordic Center via rocky double track.
Course support is limited: volunteers carry and filter water at aid stations, energy gels are supplied at aid points, and all participants must carry a minimum of 16 oz of water. There is a saddle cut-off on the route for both runs and bikes. Podium awards are not used; prizes include a $100 premium opportunity for the first runners or bikers to reach designated checkpoints and randomly selected prizes for finishers. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
