Grin & Bear It
Crested Butte, United States • 11 Jul 2026
Event overview
The Grin & Bear It takes place in Crested Butte, Colorado on July 11, 2026 and is organized by Crested Butte Nordic. Distances offered:
- 25 km loop (run and bike)
- 15 km out-and-back (run)
- Mountain bike event (course follows most of the 25 km route; listed as roughly 14.83 miles with just under 4,000 ft of climbing)
Registration opens December 1, 2025. Age minimums listed: runs open to ages 16+ and the mountain bike event open to ages 12+.
Courses and logistics
Both run courses start and finish at the Crested Butte Nordic Center. The 25 km loop climbs from town onto singletrack via Baxter Gulch, reaches a high saddle and a course high point near 10,983 ft, then descends via the Green Lake Trail back to the Nordic Center. Runners on the loop make a 0.3-mile spur to Green Lake for a small aid station; bikers remain on the main trail and use a nearby aid point. The 15 km out-and-back follows singletrack toward Green Lake and returns on a 4.5-mile descent that loses about 2,100 ft to town.
Course aid is limited; volunteers filter and carry water into aid stations. Participants are required to carry a minimum of 16 oz. of water. Energy gels will be available at aid stations for runners. There is a cut-off at the Baxter Gulch saddle (approx. mile 6) for both run and bike events. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.