Bear Creek Fun Run and Walk promises a beary good time

Annual costumed event returns to Colorado Springs on Nov. 8

Story and photos by William J. Dagendesh

An annual bear costumed event is returning to Colorado Springs next week. The run puts the “fun” in fundraiser and is designed to make participants growl with laughter 

The 11th annual Bear Creek 5k and 3k Fun Run and Walk is scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, at Bear Creek Regional Park East. Pre-run festivities — a costume contest, bear yoga and a dance party — will start at 9 a.m. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. More than 500 registrants are expected to participate.

“Last year’s Bear Run had over 500 registrants as well as over 60 canine participants, which was the most participants ever registered. The run continues to grow each year and we hope to match or increase 2024’s registrant number this year,” said Mary Jo Lewis, director of the Bear Creek Nature Center. 

BCNC hopes to raise about $13,000 this year. Financial sponsors include Animal ER Care, Black Bear Diner, Fossil Craft Beer Company, House of Dogs, Mountain Equipment Recyclers, Revolution Rehab, The Colorado Springs School and The Pet Gal. 

Other Sponsors include Peaceful Warriors Yoga, which will lead the pre-run Bear Yoga class, and Ormao Dance Company, which will lead a dance session prior to the run. Aravaipa will provide support during the event. 

All new runners receive a bear suit to keep and wear during the run. Returning runners can dust off their bear suit from previous events. Costume cost is included with the fee for new runners: $65 for adults or $45 for children. Returning runners who have their bear suits can register for $25 per adult or $20 per child. Participants must wear the official bear onesie suit provided with registration.

Also, contestants will participate in a parade to show off their costume and non-contestants will vote on their favorite via write-ins. Winners will be announced prior to the start of the race, and prizes can be picked up following the race. Categories are: Best Individual Costume, Best Group Costume and Best Canine Costume. 

“Participants are invited to embellish their bear costumes and participate in the pre-run costume contest,” Lewis said. “Participants will be asked to register for the costume contest online before the run. Costume contest winners will be chosen by votes cast by other Bear Run participants.”

Sponsor Black Bear Diner offers coffee for runners before the run, and other sponsors and partners hand out snacks at their booths. Following the run, participants that visit Black Bear Diner on Garden of the Gods Road wearing their bear suits will receive a discount on their meals. 

“Another post-run option for runners is to visit sponsor Fossil Craft Beer Company. If they wear their bear suit, they will receive discounted pints of beer,” Lewis said.

The fundraiser supports Friends of El Paso County Nature Centers, the 501c3 that supports El Paso County's Bear Creek and Fountain Creek Nature Centers. These funds enable the nature centers to carry out their mission of connecting people to their natural and cultural resources and inspiring stewardship. 

“The nature centers accomplish this through offering a wealth of affordable programming to reach various ages and audiences in our community. A couple areas that will benefit from Bear Run funds are nature camp scholarships for youth and continuing to offer our Trailability program at no cost,” Lewis said. “This program at Bear Creek and Fountain Creek Nature Centers gives people who might not otherwise have the physical ability to access trails the chance to do so in a Terrain Hopper vehicle. This program is free for participants and events like the Bear Run help us continue to offer at no cost.”

Lewis said the fun run and walk is a spirited community event that caters to all ages and abilities. Dogs also are welcome. “This is a great way to stay active, tap into your silly side and raise funds for a great cause,” Lewis said. To learn more, call 719-520-6388.