Bear Run Celebrates Community Involvement

Thanks to generous sponsors and an enthusiastic, large group of participants, the Bear Run & Walk 5k 2015 was a resounding success. Organized by the Tahoma Cross Country Running Club, the Bear Run is an annual event that has been a Maple Valley tradition for more than 30 years. The certified 5k course wraps around beautiful Lake Wilderness on the weekend of Maple Valley Days. This year’s event grew to 487 participants - about a third of those were kids (most from Tahoma schools) for whom we hope running will become an important part of a healthy, active lifestyle. The Bear Run was also part of two race series - the South King Challenge and The Silver Strider Club’s Grand Prix, bringing more runners from the surrounding area and an increased number of runners aged 50 and over. The Bear Run raised nearly $14,000 for student scholarships, participation fees for needy students, and other needs of the Tahoma High School running programs.

Local sponsors include Thrive Community Fitness, The Balanced Athlete, Snoqualmie Tribe, Maple Valley Eye Care, Tab Wizard, Maple Valley Physical Therapy, Kriss Chiropractic, DCS – Dynamic Computing Services, Les Schwab Tires, TRM Wood Products, Curtis Lang Custom Homes, Covington-Maple Valley-Black Diamond Reporter, and Legal Support Services. Together with our 2015 Bear Run participants and our other fund raising partners, the Thunderbirds Community Sports Foundation and Applebee’s of Covington, their support helped Tahoma Cross Country Running Club cap off a very successful year in the name of our future runners. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers and everyone involved in the success of this annual community event. Submitted by Angie Houser