Ultra Marathon Runners Tackled Great Bear's Slopes Near Sioux Falls

If you thought walking around the grounds of Great Bear just once was tough, try doing it all day in 90-degree heat.

While thousands of people across the Sioux Empire spent Saturday looking up at the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds soaring through the sky during the Sioux Falls Airshow, another group of thrill-seekers had their eyes locked on the ground and the next hill.

Great Bear Ski Valley just east of Sioux Falls hosted the inaugural Crazy Bear Ultra on Saturday, July 18. A brand-new endurance race to the Sioux Empire that lived up to every bit of its name.

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According to Dakota News Now, runners from across the region gathered on Saturday to tackle one of the area's toughest new races. Competitors took on 20K, 30K, and 50K distances, all while battling South Dakota's signature July combo platter of blazing sunshine, heat, and humidity.

And just when you think, "Well, at least it's flat around here," Great Bear politely says, you sure about that?"

The course consisted of a 6.25-mile loop featuring more than 1,200 feet of elevation gain. That meant runners in the 50K race climbed roughly 12,000 feet throughout the day. For comparison, that's more climbing than many people will do in an entire year.

Race director Jeff Pratt told Dakota News Now the event was designed to push people beyond what they thought was possible.

"A 6.25-mile loop, with just over 1,200 feet of climbing. It's all about doing something hard, seeing what your body is capable of and testing what you don't think. Like in all of the ultras, I've always said there's a moment where I don't think I can finish, but somehow we find a way, and we do."

Throughout the day, spectators lined portions of the course, cheering runners on as they repeatedly climbed the familiar ski slopes that most Sioux Falls residents only associate with winter tubing and skiing.

This time of year, however, there was no snow to cool anyone off. Temperatures hovered near 90 degrees, making an already grueling challenge even more daunting.

According to Dakota News Now, all races wrapped up by around 6:15 PM. By then, it's safe to assume most runners had one thing on their minds: a cold shower, an ice-cold drink, and possibly a much-needed rendezvous with a bottle of ibuprofen.

For those wondering just how difficult a 50K ultra marathon really is, experienced and well-trained runners typically finish in six to eight hours under good conditions. Throw in relentless hills and a South Dakota summer afternoon, and simply crossing the finish line becomes an accomplishment worth celebrating.

Meanwhile, for the rest of us who probably get winded just walking from the air-conditioned house to the mailbox, one thing is certain: the athletes who took on the first-ever Crazy Bear Ultra earned every medal, every blister, and every chance they get to brag.

Congrats to everyone who participated!