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Big Bear is an excellent place for runners of all levels and gives you a chance to get off the road and enjoy the serenity and peace of the mountains.  Take a deep breath and step into the fresh mountain air with the smell of pine, the sounds of birds, incredible blue skies and puffy white clouds.  Beautiful Big Bear Lake fills the valley floor at 6750 ft.  From there, the valley is surrounded by beautiful hills and mountains rising to nearly 10,000 ft.  Whether you just want to relax and gather your thoughts, you’re training for your first 5k, 10k, or marathon, the fresh air, endless web of trails and high elevation make Big Bear the ultimate runners paradise.

Best Running Experiences

Endure the Bear Trail Run
5K, 15K, 30K, 50K Trail Run Competition on South Shore – course maps and directions are posted at the Endure the Bear website.

Holcomb Valley Trail Run
15 and 33 mile Trail Run on North Shore of Big Bear Lake. Website....

Ryan Hall’s Run Around the Lake
Big Bear’s Olympian Ryan Hall’s first run around Big Bear Lake.   This run moves clockwise around the lake.  Start and Finish on Sandalwood Drive, Right on Fox Farm, Left on Wren, Right on Park Ave, Left on Knight, Right on BB Blvd, Right on Lakeview Drive, Right on BB Blvd, Right North Shore Dr, Right on North Shore Lane, Left on Alpine Pedal Path, Right on Stanfield Cutoff, Right on BB Blvd, Right on Sandalwood.

Alpine Pedal Path
Lakeside Route on the North Shore of Big Bear Lake

Cougar Crest
4 miles round trip. It’s a steep climb, but a great technical run.  Park at Cougar Crest Trailhead and follow the trail until it meets the Pacific Crest Trail.  A beautiful view of the lake from the north shore.

Towne Trail to 2N08/2N51Y Junction
4 miles round trip.  Find the double track road just south of the Snow Summit Condos.  Follow the road (turns into singletrack trail, fairly flat) to the big boulders.  At the big boulders Towne Trail meets Forest Road 2N08.  Turn left on 2N08 and follow the road (a consistent climb) to the junction of Forest Road 2N51Y.  Don’t miss the incredible views of the lake from the South side of the valley.

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Resources for Running in Big Bear

Endure the Bear Trail Run
5K, 15K, 30K, 50K Trail Run Competition on South Shore

North Shore Trading Company
Running Shoes and Running Clothes

Holcomb Valley Trail Run
15 and 33 mile Trail Run on North Shore

Running Amuck
Big Bear Running Club

Sky High Training, Inc
Boxing and mixed martial arts training and high altitude training center for athletes

Mountain Fitness Center
Training Runs, Endurance Training, Nutrition

Big Bear High School Cross Country Running Team
Race Schedule

Team SOLE
Coaching and Endurance Run Training