The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Spaces still open in all events
by Than Acuff
It’s race week over at CB Nordic as they prepare for the 43rd, yep 43rd, annual Grin & Bear It on Saturday, July 11. In those first 43 years, well actually just the last five of those 43 years, the event has seen some changes. It started in 2020 when CB Nordic added a 25-kilometer loop running race to the original 15-kilometer out-and-back race making use of the new Baxter Gulch trail and providing a new challenge for the running enthusiast to enjoy, or endure, depending on your ilk.
Then, last year, CB Nordic added another race to the fabled event, a 25-kilometer mountain bike race providing even more options for folks to join in on the long-standing local event and to offer another training event for the mother of all summer races, the Grand Traverse Summer Run and Bike races September 5-6.
So here we are and if you haven’t been paying attention, things such as gas are a little more expensive these days and the air is a bit smokier. As a result, numbers are down for the three Grin & Bear It events on Saturday.
“People are choosing not to participate in events,” says CB Nordic events director Linsey Bachofer.
That said, there is a healthy list going with 65 registered for the OG Grin & Bear It 15-kilometer course running up the Green Lake trail to Green Lake and turning around and running back down. Fifty-four are currently signed up for the 25-kilometer run course which is a loop and starts at CB Nordic, heading up the Baxter Gulch trail to the Carbon Creek trail, then turning right to go to the Green Lake trail with a quick spur to the lake before heading down.
As for the 25-kilometer mountain bike race, it follows the same loop as the runners, except the spur to Green Lake, and only 10 have signed up thus far.
“It’s a new race and it’s a really hard course,” admits Bachofer.
As a result, there are still spots open and runners and bikers can register up until 30 minutes before the start of the race they are entering. The morning starts with the 25-kilomter run at 8 a.m., followed by the 15-kilometer run start at 9 a.m. with the mountain bikers rolling out at 11 a.m.
And, as has been the tradition for some time now, there will be an “awkward load” in Green Lake available to the first runner or bikers willing to go for a swim, grab it and carry it to the finish line for a $100 prize. Awkward loads have included a pepper plant, inner tubes and Nordic skis.
There will be beer provided by Irwin Brewing at the finish line as well as brunch for the participants and anyone finishing after 12:30 p.m. will be treated to pizza from Mikey’s.
While the volunteer corps is looking pretty good, the Green Lake air station still needs a few more and that’s where all the fun is as people inevitably go for a swim. To volunteer head to the Grin & Bear It race page at cbnordic.org. In addition, while the Baxter Gulch trail, Carbon Creek trail and Green Lake trail are not technically closed to the public during the race, race organizers do suggest staying clear of those trails Saturday morning. The disc golf course will be closed during the race from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
As for the Grand Traverse Summer Run and Bike races in September, they’re full. So if you want to get some racing in while supporting CB Nordic, this Saturday is your chance.
