See Past Results for The BEAR: Click
Here. Go to Performance Adventure Racing Series page: Click
here.
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Mountain Bike
Trails 15 - 25 miles
Orienteering
Navigating with Compass
Run/Trek
6 - 12 miles
Team Swim
Get wet... Cool off
Climb/Ropes
Non-technical
Mystery Events
Mental and team tests
Paddle
5 - 15 miles |
The BEAR 2009 will take place on
Sunday, September 6, over Labor Day weekend.
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Plan now to enter
and race in the challenge called The BEAR.
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Join us for the 11th Anniversary of The BEAR on
9/6/08
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To get on the e-mailing list for the BEAR and other
Performance events, send your request here.
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The BEAR -- Beach
Extreme Adventure Race -- is a TEAM challenge for
everyone.
Enter The BEAR for a 10-hour time limit race
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or enter The BEAR
CUB Sprint for the 5-hour adventure
that includes many of the same challenges. |
Distances in
the BEAR CUB Sprint are approximately half those of distances listed above for
The BEAR.
Entry into The BEAR is open
to anyone. There is no
qualifying requirement for entry, though
Teams should be well prepared for the challenge. All teams must compete and finish together. Teamwork, determination, and
fitness are all combined to make this your most exciting achievement. In The
BEAR, Two-person
teams and three-person or four-person teams will strive to meet the challenges
of an event that includes mountain biking on trails and the beach, non-technical climbing,
backwoods orienteering, open-water paddling in kayaks or
canoes, and off-road running/trekking. There are also "Mystery
Tests" that will be placed at various
stages along the course. The exact order of the events is not revealed until the day
of the event, keeping the atmosphere mysterious. The Mystery Tests will try
mental and physical abilities, as well as teamwork strengths. The
Three-person / Four-person
Coed Teams make up the premier division in The BEAR race. The BEAR will favor
those who work together with sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and camaraderie.
The BEAR Adventure Race includes a series of stages that must be completed within the race time
limits to count toward a successful finish. Some Teams enter the BEAR CUB Sprint with a
5-hour time limit. Those entering The BEAR (10-hour limit) are provided with Stage Instruction sheets to begin the race, and are given the next set of instructions as they complete each stage. There
is an intermediate cut-off time, after which Teams are not given the next set of instructions that would clearly cause the Team to finish after the race time limit of 10 hours. At the beginning of the races, both
CUB and BEAR Teams are using the same instructions. In order to win The BEAR, a
Team must complete the most stages in the shortest time and stay within the time limit.
Teams may choose when to stop racing before the time limit, but could be
passed in the standings by teams arriving at the Main Transition later,
yet completing the next stage within the time limit.
The BEAR
takes place in the greater Jacksonville, Florida area -- A great multisport adventure and a great celebration of
achievement. Two-person and three/ four-person teams compete together to complete each segment
of the course, crossing the finish line as a team. The order and distance of each leg is
not revealed until the race itself and mystery tests are just that -- mysteries until
teams reach them. The BEAR is a test of teamwork,
camaraderie, clear thinking, willpower, and determination
under pressure -- open to everyone: accomplished athletes, those serious
about their fitness, and even weekend warriors. There are no pre-qualifications. Athletes of all experience and fitness
levels are encouraged to participate. The minimum age requirement is 15 years old -- any
Team member under 18 years old must be accompanied on the Team by at least one of his/her
parents.
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Entry Fees and How to Enter:
Enter and race as a team:
Premier Division is made up of
Four-person or Three-person Coed Teams. The BEAR also allows
other teams of two, three, or four persons, which may be mixed genders or
single-sex. In the BEAR CUB Sprint (5-hour race), teams of two persons or
Solo competitors (Solos in the The BEAR CUB Sprint, 5-hour race only)
may enter and race. All competitors
(other than Solos in the 5-hour race) must enter as teams. We even have special
discounts for
Military/Public Safety Teams.
REGISTER
ONLINE: click here. To learn more about Entry
Fees, click here. Enter by mail using the online, printable Entry Form
on this site.
Entry fees for The BEAR rise three weeks
before the race, so send in your
completed entry form soon. You will find additional details and a printable entry form at our Website. Entry fee includes
custom BEAR finisher shirt, race numbers in
The BEAR (10-hour), post race
refreshments and party for all, and awards for the top teams. Send fee and entry form to address
on Entry Form.
Looking for a Team? If
you want to compete in The BEAR and need a Teammate or two or three, click
here for Teammates.
Check-in & Packet Pickup: Check-in,
packet pickup, late registration, and the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting will
take place (in the same location) on the morning of The BEAR Adventure
Race. Teams must check-in at Registration and each Team
member must complete waiver forms and
pick up his or her race packet on the day of the race, before the BEAR Team
Pre-Race Meeting. Click here
for directions to the Check-in and Packet Pickup. Team Captain (or representative) must attend the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting held
on the morning of the race. See The BEAR
Updates page for times and details about Check-in, Packet Pickup, Late
Registration and Mandatory Pre-race Meeting.
Late Registration: Teams
may register and all Teams must pick up race packets in person on the
morning of the race, at the Meeting site. Each Team
member registering must present necessary completed waiver forms. There is a late fee for waiting until
the day before the race to register. See The BEAR Updates page for
times and details about Check-in, Packet Pickup, Late Registration and
Mandatory Pre-race Meeting.
Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting: will be held at the BEAR race site, on the morning of the race. The Team Captain or a representative of each team must attend the
Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting to receive race materials and instructions. For directions to this meeting, click here. See The BEAR Updates page for
times and details about Check-in, Packet Pickup, Late Registration and
Mandatory Pre-race Meeting.
Directions to Race Site:
In order to get
directions to The BEAR race site, click here to go to The
BEAR Updates Page. For a map of the race site , click
here to view maps.
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The BEAR Rules
The BEAR requires a mandatory safety briefing and
pre-race meeting. Safety issues, events, on-course rules,
mystery tests, and other specific information will be discussed at this meeting. Team
Captains or a team member-representative must attend the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting
or risk disqualification of the Team. See The BEAR
Updates page for times and details about Check-in, Packet Pickup, Late
Registration and Mandatory Pre-race Meeting.
Teams must be familiar with and
carry a copy of The BEAR Rules - (click here) and carry
Mandatory Equipment as shown on The BEAR Essentials page -
(click here). Failure to have your Mandatory Equipment when requested at
verification Check Points along The BEAR race course will disqualify your Team from the
race -- or cause severe Team penalties. Don's let that happen to your Team
-- be sure to have your BEAR Essentials.
The BEAR has a 10-hour overall time limit. Racing will officially end
10 hours after the start on race day.
The BEAR CUB Sprint (5-hour limit race) will start at the same time and should officially end
five hours later on race day. In the BEAR, there is also an
intermediate cut-off: Teams must actually begin the final segment and have passed its
pre-determined Check Point in order to continue officially racing. Teams that have not
passed the necessary cut-off Check Point on time, or that have not finished
within the time limits, will be officially scored according to the timing of
the last stage completed within the time limits.
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The BEAR Essentials -- Equipment
For a list of Team-supplied
Mandatory Equipment and Recommended Equipment, see The BEAR Essentials. You are required to have
certain items. Some people bring ropes, tape, and even toilet paper along. You
should bring and use your own life jackets. You may bring anything you feel is essential
-- or potential. Again, all equipment for special tests will be provided by our crew. Wear
whatever you are comfortable wearing while biking, paddling, hiking, and running. BE
PREPARED! It will be hot. There could always be a swim, or rain. We suggest that Teams
bring dry changes of clothing for after the race. All Teams are responsible for knowing and bringing
their own Mandatory Equipment. See The BEAR
Essentials Page.Food and Hydration: Bring your
own coolers, water bottles and fuel replacement for the Race. Hydration is extremely important, so plan to bring along
plenty of fluids for your team. To provide more of a wilderness experience, Teams
should expect no food stations or hydration stations on the course. After some segments
you may be able to go to the transition area to get whatever you need and that you have
stored at your position in the Transition Area. See The BEAR Survival Guide. |
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Support
The BEAR requires all teams to bring their own equipment and supplies, as teams must be
self-sufficient during the race. As noted in the BEAR
Essentials page, Teams must provide their own packs, mountain bikes, helmets,
canoes or kayaks, life jackets, fluids, gels, snacks, and fuel and other items needed for
the race. Teams are not allowed to accept any outside assistance without
disqualification. As adventure racers, each team must be 100% self sufficient! Teams must
bring enough fluid and fuel replacement to last 10-11 hours when you check into the
transition area. During the race, teams may keep their extra equipment and supplies at
their space in the Transition Area. You will be sent more details, including updates
about required equipment, after your entry is received. You will also find some of this
information online at our BEAR Survival Guide. No
additional assistance from
race organizers should be expected during the race, including extra water,
foods, or other aid, except in emergency -- and in this case a Team could be taken
out of the race. Thorough planning is essential, especially because some things, such as
rain, wind, or heat, can't be foreseen. Prepare your Team for any eventuality!
Spectators:
We love spectators and cheering supporters!
The best place for your friends and family to view all the action is near
(but NOT inside) the Main Transition Area.
Only registered participants are allowed into the Transition Area, the Race HQ,
or on the race course during The BEAR. Your friends and family are certainly
welcome, but remember: Teams are not allowed any outside assistance during the
Race. Don't let your friend's supportiveness be a problem for your race.
Our race officials can direct them to good locations along the course, where
they will be able to see your team in action., and would not interfere with
the conduct of the race.
Volunteering as a Race Official
is another great way to see more of the workings of the race and we always
welcome volunteers. Have your friends or family contact
us in advance if they are interested in volunteering.
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Communications
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| Lodging: There are a variety of motels and hotels in the
area and there are also camping facilities
nearby -- Click here for lodging info.
Photos and Race
Descriptions: Click these links to view results and some photos from
The BEAR 2008, The BEAR 2007, The
BEAR 2004, The BEAR 2003, The
BEAR 2002, The
BEAR 2001 and The BEAR 2000.
Goodies:
Oh... did we mention that The BEAR has race goodies and prizes? Click
here to learn more.
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Go to The BEAR Rules page
Go to The BEAR Essentials page
Go to The BEAR Entry Fee Info page |
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Go to The BEAR Updates
page
Go to The BEAR Directions page
Go to The BEAR Lodging page |
Go to Event
Calendar
Go to printable BEAR
Entry Form
Go to Performance MultiSports Home |
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