Great Bear Trail Races
About This Race
Great Bear is known for the skiing but there are 4+ miles of hiking/running trails also available within the 220 acre park. The race will start/finish near the bottom of the bunny hill on the east side of the chalet. The trails are a mix of wide hard packed gravel, wider single-track, and even a bit of mowed grass. The mostly gravel trails take you on some flat areas but they do go up three bluffs with some spectacular views from the top. There is a good mix of wooded hills and pockets of open prairie trails too. The loop through the park works out to be pretty close to exactly 3 miles with around 450ft of elevation gain.
Falls Area Single Track (FAST) is also looking to add upwards of 17 miles of new trails in the park. Please see their dedicated Great Bear website page with the most up-to-date information on the proposed trails!
Race Awards
6 Mile Race:
1st overall male/female | Last overall male/female
3 Mile Race:
1st overall male/female | Last overall male/female
Points Series ‘25 - Deer Dash, Camden, Great Bear, Newton Hills & partner race - Good Earth presented by 605 Running Company:
1st - 10pts, 2nd - 9pts, 3rd - 8pts…10th - 1pt per age division
Age Divisions For Points Series:
29 & Under | 30-39 | 40-49| 50+
Race Registration
Entry Fees
3 & 6-mile races are the same price
General Registration: $40 through registration cutoff
Current SF Run Club Member: A Discount Code was sent out to all current members at the opening of registration. Are you current and need the code? Email runsiouxfalls@gmail.com and we’ll get it to you!
18yrs Old and Under (as of race day): $15 through registration cutoff
Not a member and want to become one? Sign up at runsiouxfalls.org
Sign up for all four races at once! Go to the Deer Dash registration page and select:
‘All 4 Races’ for $170*
*Special swag gift for those who sign up for all 4 races using this price point!
(Extra swag not given if you sign up for individual races)
We can switch you b/t the long or short races for any of the 4, simply send us a note and we’ll get your registration adjusted.
Race Details
Date: September 27th, 2025
Race Start: 8:30am
Distances: 6-mile & 3-mile (click distance for Garmin data including elevation chart)
Location: Great Bear Recreation Area
Please Note: Swag - $20 gift card to 605 Running Company
Volunteer Signup: Click HERE!
Points Series
1st place in each division for each race receives 10 points. Points go down by 1 sequentially. 2nd place receives 9 points all the way to 10th place receiving 1 point. At the end of the series, we’ll tally up the points in each age division, and give out gift cards to the top three male and female finishers.
We will also crown overall champions (male/female) and they will earn framed pictures of their favorite course. (see example HERE)
Age Groups:
29 and Under, 30-39, 40-49, 50+
Races to earn points in ‘25: One Ear Deer Dash - Camden State Park Trail Races - Great Bear Trail Races - Newton Hills Trail Races
Partner Race - Good Earth Trail Races presented by 605 Running Company)
Course Maps
Sponsors
The #1 source for all things running in South Dakota
Founded in 2014, the mission of the shop is to enhance the running community as a locally owned and operated running specialty outfitter. No matter what your abilities, pace, or running history the 605 Running Company is inclusive to ALL runners.
Sunny's is a family-owned pizza joint and we're all about providing a gathering place for people in the neighborhood and Sioux Falls community to meet up, unite and be social.
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We offer a wide range of physical therapy and orthopedic rehabilitation services to help you get back to doing the things you love to do. Our clinicians are passionate about helping you reach your goals, which is why we create personalized treatment plans that focus on eliminating pain and reducing the risk of future injuries.
We at WoodGrain want to provide a fun, relaxing atmosphere in Sioux Falls where friends can come to unwind, enjoy themselves, and taste some of the finest homegrown libations South Dakota has to offer.
Black Boot Photos will capture race day photos from all angles. Charlotte has been known to run with her camera capturing unique settings and multiple shots of the course. Black Boot believes in capturing special moments with family and senior pictures, events, and special occasions.
Where do our profits go?
After covering the cost of of the races, any profits from the SFARC Trail Race Series are used by various non-profits.
Sioux Falls Area Running Club - we keep a portion to cover our overall club operational costs.
Falls Area Single Track - we donate the majority of our profits to F.A.S.T. to help fund their trail building efforts. 25 miles in 2025 is coming closer and closer to reality, providing the residents of Sioux Falls access to beautiful multi-use single track trails all within the city limits of Sioux Falls.
Race Specific
Sioux County Conservation Board from the Oak Grove Deer Dash race.
Contact
Nathan Schwab - Race Director
njschwab@gmail.com
(605) 380.6381
