Running with the Bears Marathon

This beautiful place is a mecca for outdoors enthusiasts ever since it was founded back in the late 1840s, thanks to its gorgeous green mountain views and wide, expansive alpine meadows. The Greenville and Indian Valley areas today attract thousands of bikers, hikers, campers, skiers and fishermen year-round, and welcome the annual running of the Running with the Bears Marathon.The race is organized by the locally based services organization Mountain Circle Family Services, Inc., which provides services and support for children and families dealing with adoption and foster care issues, including training for foster parents, therapeutic care for foster and adoptive children, and routine medical and dental care for foster kids, and academic monitoring and assistance.

Runners will start the race at the Goss Ranch at 4864 North Arm Road just east of Greenville, which is home to just over 1,000 year-round residents here in Northern California’s Plumas County.It also lies along the edge of the Plumas National Forest and just south of the Lassen National Forest, named for the pioneer Peter Lassen, who also founded Greenville back in the late 1840s.From the starting line runners will make a counter-clockwise loop, heading out first northward along North Arm Road.About halfway between the mile 1 and 2 markers, runners then turn left onto Lights Creek Lane, which becomes Diamond Mountain Road by the time they reach the mile 2 marker.The course keeps runners on Diamond Mountain Road for roughly the next five miles as it winds alongside the edge of the valley, with mountains rising up on the right and the wide-open valley meadows on the left.Runners will make two more left turns, on North Valley Road, passing Arlington Road and continue all the way onto Genesee Road then makes a turn around near the Genesee Store. Runners will head back onto North Valley Road and make a left turn.Then back again onto North Arm Road, and then start the stretch that takes them northeast along North Arm Road, for a winding last section of the race along the opposite side of the valley, all the way back north to the starting line, where the race finish line lies.

Pass by meandering rivers and creeks. Views of the Indian and Genesee Valleys.

A large cow field adjacent to the Goss Ranch. Free. Watch for cow pies.

Aid Stations are located approximately every 2.5 miles throughout all courses and are stocked with water, specialty hydration drinks, snacks, dog treats, and first-aid kits.

Entry fee includes a participation gift (a tech t-shirt), a goody bag filled with gift cards and locally-made products, a finisher medal for ALL runners, age division (10 yrs deep) and overall division awards. Although we will do our very best to provide your t-shirt in your size, this cannot be guaranteed.

Entry fee includes a participation gift (a tech t-shirt), a goody bag filled with gift cards and locally-made products, a finisher medal for ALL runners, age division (10 yrs deep) and overall division awards. Although we will do our very best to provide your t-shirt in your size, this cannot be guaranteed.

We operate on “Plumas County time,” so we would never kick you off of the course just for being determined! HOWEVER, we are unable to provide course support after 1:30 p.m. If you are a walker, or if you expect a 7-hour plus marathon, please note that you will be responsible for your own food, drink, and medical support once you reach the finish line, and along the course after 1:30 p.m. For your safety, we encourage slow runners and walkers to start the race EARLY!