About Black Bear Events

Founded in 2020 in the heart of Durango, Black Bear Events was born from a simple belief: no one should have to run alone. As lifelong runners, our team understands both the joy and the isolation that running can bring. In the wake of the pandemic, we set out to revive community through sport—starting with the historic Narrow Gauge 10-Mile Run, Colorado’s longest continuously run race, which we managed for several years before returning it to the Durango Running Club.

What began as a small effort to re-engage local runners has since grown into a thriving Durango-based enterprise dedicated to connection, community building, and exceptional race experiences. Our races highlight local nonprofits, elevate small businesses, and bring athletes of all levels together on shared trails, shared goals, and shared joy.

Today, Black Bear Events has evolved into a two-pronged organization:

Event Hosting: Building Community Through Local Races

Running is more than a sport—it’s a way to strengthen the fabric of a community. Our locally hosted events are designed with one purpose in mind: to bring people together.

We partner with area nonprofits, spotlight local sponsors, and design courses that celebrate Durango’s incredible trail systems. Each race is built to be welcoming, inclusive, and intentionally crafted so that athletes, families, and spectators feel connected.

Whether you’re chasing a PR, exploring a new trail, or simply enjoying the energy of race day, our events are built to make running an adventure best shared together.

What sets our events apart:

  • Designed to foster community connection

  • Built in collaboration with local nonprofits and small businesses

  • Rooted in Durango’s trail, wellness, and outdoor culture

  • Welcoming to runners of all experience levels

  • Focused on joy, engagement, and meaningful shared experiences

Professional Race Timing Services: Local, Precise & Eco-Friendly

In addition to hosting our own races, we’re proud to provide professional, local timing services to events across the Four Corners region—including fun runs, trail races, road races, nordic races, bike races, and collegiate, high school, and middle school cross-country meets.

We combine accuracy, professionalism, and responsive support to ensure your event runs smoothly from start to finish. With our timing services in place, you can focus on your participants—and let us handle the logistics.

Our timing services feature:

  • Local expertise from a Durango-based small business

  • Fast, precise RFID chip timing

  • Support for wave starts, rolling starts, and multi-heat events

  • Detailed results including splits, pace, age group standings, and team scoring

  • On-site troubleshooting and finish line management

  • Option to use eco-friendly reusable hip tags, reducing waste and keeping disposable chips out of landfills

We’re committed not just to accuracy, but to sustainability—offering reusable timing tags that significantly cut down on race-day trash and environmental impact.

Looking Ahead

This year, Black Bear Events is expanding with new local races, fresh partnerships, and even more ways to bring our community together. Whether we're helping direct a community 5K, hosting a marathon, or timing a high-stakes XC meet, our purpose remains the same:

Create events that inspire connection, celebrate the Durango community, and remind runners that every step is better when we take it together.

Join us at the starting line, connect with fellow runners, and transform your running experience into something bigger—an adventure rooted in camaraderie, community, and shared purpose.