Showcasing amazing routes
Hurt'n Bear
Hurt'n Bear Gold Sponsor
A huge thank you to Artemis Gold Inc., the official Gold Sponsor of the Hurt’n Bear Trail Race. Their generous support helps make this event possible, and we are grateful to have them as part of the Prince George Road Runners community.
The Hurt’n Bear Trail Race highlights the exceptional trail network at the Pidherny Recreation Site—a 620-hectare recreational gem perched above North Nechako Drive. Shaped by eskers and glacial kettles along the Nechako River, these trails showcase some of the most unique terrain within Prince George’s city limits.
Distance | When | Where | Cost | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kids Race (1km), 5km, 10km, 21km | Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Pidherny Recreation Site | PGRR members free! | Race Director |
Trail Race *portion of proceeds go to PGCC for trail maintenance | 8:45am Kids Race 9:00am 21k 9:15am 10k 9:30am 5k | Upper parking lot | Register In advance! | |
Cost
PGRR Members: Free
Non-Members : 20$ 5KM | $25 10km | $35 21km
NO Race Day registration, online registration. Registration closes on 2026-05-17 at 11:59 PM.
Pidherny is managed by the Prince George Cycling Club through an agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails BC. The Prince George Road Runners are grateful to PGCC’s Mountain Bike Association for welcoming the Hurt’n Bear, and to the Lheidli T’enneh Nation of the Dakelh (Carrier) First Nation, who have stewarded this land for over 9,000 years and for whom it remains their traditional, unceded territory.
This ever-growing trail network—built through decades of dedication—has opened Pidherny to mountain biking, hiking, running, walking, snowshoeing, and skiing. The Hurt’n Bear’s Hagen Half is, in part, a thank-you to two of the people who made this possible: Dr. Barry and Thelma Hagen. From Otway’s iconic alphabet trails to beloved Pidherny routes like Easy Street, Park Avenue, Shady Lane, and the Tool Circuit, the Hagens have spent nearly 30 years quietly shaping the trails that define our community. This race is proud to run on—and celebrate—their legacy.
Route Description
Kids Race (Free!)
The Kids Race covers about 1 km and is geared toward children aged 3–10, but all kids are encouraged to join. There’s no timing or competition — just a fun run for everyone.
5km Route
Ascent: 230m / 754ft
Descent: 230m / 754ft
Aid Stations: 0
The 5km course begins on New Access Trail/Upper Papa Woods, tackling a short but steep climb around the 2km mark, before turning around 250m along the Ridge Trail and retracing the route back to the finish. There is no aid station on the 5km course and racers are encouraged to bring their own water if needed.
10km Route
Ascent: 361m/ 1184ft Descent: 360m / 1181ft
Aid Stations: 1
The 10km course begins on New Access Trail/Upper Papa Woods and quickly climbs to Ridge Trail before turning onto Northern Lights. You’ll follow Northern Lights for about 2km, then hit the aid station at the junction where Northern Lights meets the Pidherny Forest Service Road, providing a welcome boost before continuing. From there, the course follows the Forest Service Road and singletrack trails through Bush Chicken, Honey Shuttle, and Skid Trail to the climb up President’s Climb before looping back. Runners then return toward the finish via Ridge Trail and the New Access Trail/Upper Papa Woods.
21km Route
Ascent: 615m / 2017ft Descent: 615m / 2017ft
Aid Stations: 3
The 21km course begins on New Access Trail/Upper Papa Woods before connecting with Northern Lights and reaching the first aid station at the junction where Northern Lights meets the Pidherny Forest Service Road. From there, runners continue through a mix of Forest Service Road and classic Pidherny singletrack, including Sally Housecoat, Sidewinder, and the climb up President’s Climb. The second half of the course features a rewarding descent into the lower trail network, linking Screefer, Macleod, and Pulanski, with a second aid station at the bottom of Valve Job, which can be used before descending Screefer and on the way back up from Pulanski. The final kilometers climb back out of the lower trails before returning toward the finish
‘Bear’ Essentials for Race Day
- We strongly encourage you to do an early pick-up of your bib at our open group run at the D.P. Todd Secondary School parking lot on Wednesday, May 20th between 5:30 – 7:15 PM. You can also have a friend pick up your bib on that day. Otherwise, you will need to show up early on race day.
- If you are picking up your bib on race day, please show up by 8:00 AM. Day of bib pick up closes at 8:30 AM for all distances. This is a strict cut-off time. Late arrivals will be unable to participate. In order for the race to begin on time, we need people to show up early and receive their bib numbers.
- The Hurt’n Bear Trail Race is a BC Athletics sanctioned race and is manually timed by race officials.
- All participants must sign in and out at the registration table.
- This is a wilderness trail race; bear spray is recommended, but not mandatory.
- Runners in the 21 km event are strongly encouraged to carry a cell phone.
- 21km cutoff: Participants must reach the top of Valve Job (approx. 11 km) by 11:00 AM (2-hour mark). Runners arriving after this time must proceed directly to the finish. This cutoff supports volunteer safety and our user agreement with the Prince George Mountain Bike Association.
- First aid will be provided by members of the Canadian Ski Patrol.
- Courses will be well marked with flagging stakes and tape. If you haven’t seen a marker in ~200 m, please backtrack.
- The race takes place in a public recreation area; please be courteous to other trail users.
- PGRR reserves the right to modify the race or course due to weather or trail conditions.
- Trail distances are approximate due to terrain, course layout, and GPS watch variability.
- PGRR members are able to race for free, but still must register online to receive a bib.
- Non-members must register online to participate.
- Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- A portion of race proceeds supports trail maintenance through the Prince George Cycling Club.
- No dogs or headphones permitted for safety and liability reasons.
- For questions or to volunteer, contact the Race Directors at pgroadrunners@gmail.com.
