36 Hours of Black Bear

Event

The 36 Hours of Black Bear is a donation-based trail running event held at Shores Lake Recreation Area near Winslow, AR on the Shores Lake / White Rock spur of the Ozark Highlands Trail. The event is limited to 50 runners combined across distances. The 36-hour option is a timed event that records how many loops a runner completes; the 15-miler is a single loop. There is one recognized winner of the 36-hour event. Registration has a closing date.

• 15 miles (one loop, ~3500 ft elevation gain)
• 36 hours (timed event by number of loops)

Course and logistics

The course is an all-trail loop, approximately 15 miles per loop with over 3,500 feet of elevation gain per loop. Eight loops equal about 120 miles and over 28,000 feet of elevation gain. Runners alternate loop direction each lap: clockwise one loop, counterclockwise the next. During daytime loops the White Rock Rim trail is included; at night runners will not run White Rock Rim and will turn around at the OHT trailhead parking instead.

Support is concentrated at the Shores Lake start/finish with one major aid station, tents, camping, food and beverages. There will be light aid at two county road crossings and a resupply at the White Rock trailhead on each loop. Organizers do not provide gels. Night runners are expected to carry two light sources. The event may be canceled for extreme weather such as tornadoes or high winds. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.