Black Bear Trail Races

Black Bear Trail Races - Waterville Valley, NH

The Black Bear Trail Races take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Waterville Valley Town Square (33 Village Rd, Waterville Valley, NH). The event offers multiple race distances starting and finishing near Town Square.

• 50K
• 23K
• 4 Mile
• 1 Mile Fun Run

Course, aid and requirements

50K: The 50K course covers about 30.8 miles with roughly 7,700 feet of cumulative elevation gain. The route climbs Snow's Mountain, East Osceola, Osceola, and Tecumseh and is supported by multiple aid stations. 50K entrants must carry mandatory gear; required items include a headlamp and extra batteries, the ability to carry 2 liters of water (2 liters required at the start), 400 calories of food, a space or emergency blanket, and a windbreaker or rain shell. The event is cup-less; participants must bring their own hydration system.

23K: Listed as 14.64 miles with about 1,696 feet of gain. The course uses the oldest maintained trail network in the US and includes three aid stations offering water, a hydration supplement, and nutrition. Terrain is mainly double-track (85%), with single-track (13%) and a small road section (2%).

4 Mile and 1 Mile Fun Run: The 4-mile course is 4.1 miles with 600 feet of climbing and a 50/50 split of single- and double-track with no road. The Fun Run is on double-track; children under 13 may sign up free but must register and a parent must register to run with them.

Additional notes: No pacers or crews are allowed on course; drop bags are permitted at the start/finish. All finishers receive a commemorative award and podium awards are given to the top three male and female finishers in each distance. Registration closes Aug 24, 2026. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.