Often, a bear will attack if it is surprised -- or if it is defending its cubs. Fortunately, the three trail runners weren't attacked. Although I have never run into a bear, I do recall a time in 1980 when I was running in a high school cross country race in Alaska and a large moose brought all of the runners to a halt. The moose was standing directly in the middle of the wilderness path and wouldn't move. As the competitors started to bunch up as they all came to a stop about 50 feet from the moose, it soon became apparent that it wasn't going to be scared off by a bunch of guys wearing running shorts. So, runners started to dart off of the trail in an attempt to get around the moose -- I being one of those runners. It was a race I'll always remember.
Running where there is dangerous wildlife -- such as wolves, bear, moose and mountain lions -- presents unique challenges. It's important to always be aware of your surroundings and to be prepared in the event you come upon such wildlife. Trail runners should be educated on such situations and as the old boy scout motto says... be prepared! Remember, bears can run between 25 to 35 miles per hour; wolves 31 to 37 miles per hour; moose up to 35 miles per hour; and, mountain lions 40 to 50 miles per hour. All of those animals could easily chase down a human runner.
From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),
Paul J. Staso
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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek
Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
- United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
- Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
- Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
- Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
- The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
- Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
- Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
- Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
- Some Cycling Moments From The Past
