Running with the Bears

Awesome for the community, foster families, and a lot of fun.

I was surprised in the value of the race. The venue was clearly thought out. The funds for the kids and the community coming together to provide this race was exceptional. The race is open long enough that a first time marathoner can reach their goal with full support.

Mountain Family Circle puts on the best race in Northern California.
There is a Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k distance available for all ages. There is no time limit for any of the races. The Marathon is a Boston Qualifier race. The overall number of participants for all 3 races is kept to a much smaller field than you will see elsewhere. Dogs are allowed to participate in any of the 3 distances along with their human counterparts.
This race is a community event and it shows. The aid stations along the course are themed and staffed by fantastic volunteers that cheer for all the runners. The course is picturesque and mostly flat.
My dog and I have run the Half Marathon the last 2 years and intend to keep coming back year after year in support of such a great cause.

Mountain Circle Family Services puts on an amazing fundraiser with their annual Running with the Bears Races. I’ve participated as a racer in both the marathon and half-​marathon distances. The race course is picturesque and the support is unmatched by any other race I’ve done. Water stops hosted by community groups and a hoedown like no other add to the many other reasons why this is an amazing race and event.
When you run this race, you become a part of something larger. A family of individuals sprinkled across the globe. You will get support well before you show up to pick-​up your packet. Although this is a small town race, the various course options ensure there is something for everyone and racers of ALL calibers. Those who are looking for a challenge will definitely find one here if they go looking. Did I mention this is a Boston qualifier? If you are thinking about running a race, think no more, do this one. But hurry up and get your registration in. They tend to book up fast.