The Grizzly 2012
Every Hill Has A Silver Lining

Sunday 11th March

Held under ARC rules (permits 12/18 & 12/19).

Entries for the Grizzly and Cub Run are now closed and there is no waiting list.

Junior Grizzly and Fun Run entry forms

Change of runner form

Accommodation list

2012's Grizzly poem


Price increase - Policies - Rules - 2011 results

The left column contains background info on the event and the right column everything you need to know about entering including entry methods, rules, policies, etc. ... you must read all of the right column.


What it's all about

Twentyish muddy, hilly, boggy, beachy miles of the multiest-terrain running experience you will find this side of the end of time. It's by no means the toughest race around (honestly!), has changed over the years and nearly died on a few occasions, but hundreds of you keep coming back for more so we must still be getting it right. Whatever it isn't, it is an experience.

I have run in a few races but have never been in a race that manages to create physical challenge whilst taking a sideways glance at running, allowing all involved to emerge with a crooked grin on their face! - A Grizzly runner

Media

Writing
The Grizzly is featured in two articles in the anthology The Best of the Fells; there are also three other pieces by the LMRBean.
There's lots to read on our writing page (including the infamous songs and poems) and on the Lean, Mean Runner Bean's website.

Photos
This is just a small selection of what's out there ...
2011  Hardley Runners
Seaton Bay
2010  Hardley Runners
Seaton Bay
2009  Seaton Bay
2008  Seaton Bay
2007  Seaton Bay
2006  Seaton Bay
2005  Seaton Bay
All years  Memorials - Tshirts

Videos
There are a few Grizzly vids on You Tube which you can search for but these are some of the best. The last link is a short piece from the local news.
2011  Plumstead Runners.
2010  Plumstead Runners (Cub).
2007  ITV Westcountry news.

Replay the race
You can follow some runners' progress on an aerial view at RunReplay.com: 2010 2011. If you ran with a GPS and still have the data you can upload it and follow your own progress as well. Some of the hashes on the site make particularly fascinating viewing with all their false trails.



Grizzly history

With charitable donations as far as we can recall.

1988 Unnamed
1989 Torment Ten
1990 Grizzly 12
1991 Hillocks and Rowlocks
1992 Eye of the Storm
1993 Sting of the Butterfly
1994 Magical Memory Jog
1995 The Nightmare Returns
1996 Revenge of the Lemmings
1997  £1K  Apocalypse, Yes!
1998  £3K  Flight of Fancy
1999  £4K  Insanity and In Health
2000  £9K  Another Brick in the Wall
2001  £9K  A Race Oddity
2002  £9K  The Joker in the Pack
2003  £9K  The Jurassic Jaunt
2004  £15K  Infinity and Beyond
2005  £17K  One Thousand Steps For Mankind
2006  £18K  O'Limpiyak Dilemma
2007  £23K  Armageddon NowHere
2008  £15K  Armageddon Again
2009  £29K  Trails And Tribulations
2010  £18K  Beauty and the Beach
2011  £22K  Valley of the Bogs
2012 Every Hill Has A Silver Lining

Reasons for the price increase

You will notice that the entry fees have increased a lot from last year. This is for three reasons:

  1. Due largely to new legislation regarding road closures and traffic management, our costs increased by about £10,000 (roughly £5 per runner) in 2011.
  2. We will be giving out technical t-shirts instead of cotton ones to runners in 2012 at an increased cost of about £5 per shirt.
  3. The organising committee would like a nominated charity (or perhaps two) to benefit from the hours of work the organising committee put into the event.

Our policy on places, transfers, refunds, etc.

If you are looking for a place in the Grizzly once entries close or have a place but can't use it then I'm afraid that we can't help much.

  • We accept a certain number of entries on the basis that a few hundred won't turn up since congestion on the course and limited parking in Seaton limit numbers.
  • We therefore don't have a waiting list, don't put runners with a place in touch with those looking for one or vice versa, and don't suggest how you can go about finding or selling a place.
  • However, we are happy for runners to arrange transfers between themselves as long as we're told of the change for which purpose you can use the change of runner form at the link above. We prefer that to phoning them since it's less prone to potential error and far less intrusive on our personal lives.
  • We do not offer refunds or deferrals under any circumstances other than the cancellation or postponement of the event.
  • There is no need to tell us if you won't be able to make it although doing so before the numbers are sent will obviously save us some postage and reduce waste. You would still be able to transfer your number to someone else since we keep a record of all entries.
  • We could obviously accept fewer entries up-front and operate a waiting list but:
    • Managing this would add significantly to our already high workload.
    • Many people want to know in September if they've got in so they can book accommodation (which is limited).
  • Please don't be tempted to run the race without having a place. It's not fair on those who accept the situation, and anyone found doing could be disqualified and even banned from our events.

Rules

You must agree to abide by these rules in order to enter, or to accept a place from someone else:

  • If you have entered another person you have their permission to do so and their agreement to these rules.
  • If you wish to subsequently transfer your place in the event to someone else you will obtain their agreement to these conditions before agreeing with them to do so and either you or the new holder will advise us of the new runner's full details. On race day this must be done at the info desk in Race HQ. You will not resell your place for more than you paid for it.
  • If you report a number as missing and obtain a replacement you should destroy the former if you subsequently find it. You must not use a number once it is reported as missing.
  • You agree to abide by the trail running rules of the Association of Running Clubs as published on their website runningclubs.org.uk.
  • You agree to behave in a reasonable manner to the promoters, organisers, competitors and other persons associated with the event.
  • You accept that this event is a running race and agree to accept any decision marshals or medical personnel may make to direct you on a shortcut or withdraw you from the race.
  • You understand that participating in this event is potentially hazardous and that you should not participate unless you are medically and physically fit to do so.
  • You agree to not wilfully drop litter on pain of potential disqualification.
  • You agree to carefully read the race information which will be made available a few weeks before the event.
  • You will not hold the promoters, organisers or other persons associated with the event responsible for any loss or injury incurred as a result of your participation in, or travel to or from, the event.
  • You will not embark on the course before the official race start.
  • You will not set foot on any private land used by the Grizzly in various years other than during the race itself or with explicit permission, on pain of potential banning The Grizzly.
  • You accept that no refunds or deferrals will be offered under any circumstances other than the cancellation or postponement of the event.
  • If your significant other wishes to attend the Grizzly Widows' Party a week before the race then you will graciously agree to house/baby/pet-sit while they go out and enjoy themselves.

Sport has to be the most convergent of all human activies because athletes know that there is no fundamental difference between body, mind and spirit. To be truly great, an athlete must develop all three together, exercise them all together and bring the strength of all three to bear on the contest. Only then is greatness possible and only then does victory have universal meaning because it reflects the fullness and richness of the human heart.

- Mohammed Ali.