Grin & Bear It

The Grin & Bear It

The Grin & Bear It is a trail running and mountain bike event hosted by Crested Butte Nordic. Courses start and finish at the Crested Butte Nordic Center at 620 2nd Street in downtown Crested Butte. The event includes a historic 15 km race, a 25 km loop, and a 25 km mountain bike race introduced in the current year.

• 15 km run out and back, elevation gain and loss about 1,600 ft
• 25 km run loop, elevation gain and loss about 2,900 ft
• 25 km mountain bike loop, technical riding on the 25k course

The 25 km course climbs from the Nordic Center onto Journey's End Road and Baxter Gulch singletrack, reaches a high point near 10,983 ft, and descends to a Green Lake checkpoint before returning to town. Runners use a 0.3 mile spur to Green Lake; bikers continue on the Carbon and Green Lake trail instead. Course aid is limited; volunteers filter water at aid stations and participants must carry a minimum of 16 oz of water. Hydration and some nutrition are available at designated aid stations. The event does not include traditional podium awards; prizes are given to randomly selected finishers and a $100 premium is offered to the first male and female 25k racers to the lake who carry the Awkward Load back to the finish. A GPX route is provided for the 25k run and bike. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.