Ryan Hall Takes 2nd Place In Olympic Trials

Ryan Hall will be returning to the Olympic arena in 2012 after he placed 2nd in the Olympic Trials this past weekend.  Hall will join 1st place finisher Meb Keflezighi, and 3rd place finisher Abdi Abdirahman as the three men who will represent the US.  Representing the ladies will be Shalane Flanagan, Desiree Davila, and Kara Goucher.

Ryan Hall Places 4th in Boston Marathon & Breaks US Record

Big Bear, Ca, April 18, 2011, 11:15am - Ryan Hall has made US history again coming in 4th place today at the Boston Marathon with the time of 2:04:58. Hall breaks his own Boston Marathon records with his time today, and he also breaks the overall American record. In 2009 Hall finished with a time of 2:09: 40, and in 2010 with a time of 2:08:41. Hall was the sole American in the top 10 surrounded mainly by Kenyan and Ethiopian runners. Hall grew up in the Big Bear Valley, was on the Big Bear High School Cross Country Team, and frequently trains in Big Bear. KBHR Congratulates Hall on his US record breaking time in the Boston Marathon.

Olympic Marathoner Ryan Hall Training in Big Bear

Olympic marathon runner and Big Bear native, Ryan Hall was seen on a run in town today, accompanied by his father Mickey  Hall (on the bicycle)  According to Ryan’s page on Facebook, he’s currently training for the Boston Marathon, set for Monday, April 18, 2011.

Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation Expanding Their Reach to Include Paths for Cross-Country Skiing, Hiking, Biking, Running, Cycling and Horseback Riding

When the snow melts, outdoor enthusiasts will again be able to enjoy the 30 miles of bike routes throughout the Big Bear Valley, though, through the efforts of the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation, the hope is to have paths available for non-motorized travel year-round by incorporating routes not just for cycling, but cross-county skiing, hiking, running and horseback riding. In 2009, the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation expanded their reach, became a non-profit 501C3 corporation, and are now pursuing grant funding—which is a considerable effort for the group which, only in 2006, was a handful of volunteers operating as an ad hoc committee of the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District focused on establishing Class 3 bike routes within Big Bear.
This initial focus was accomplished, given support from the City of Big Bear Lake and the County of San Bernardino, and, on Memorial Day weekend 2008, the coalition celebrated the ribbon cutting for 30 miles of bike routes (15 in Big Bear Lake and 17 in the East Valley), the installation of 37 “share the road” signs around the perimeter of Big Bear Lake and beyond, the completion and distribution of Valley-wide bike trails maps, and a community Bike Ride for Ryan, in support of local Olympic marathon runner Ryan Hall. The group has since incorporated equestrian, hiking, running and cross-county skiing enthusiasts into their Foundation Board, as well as representatives from the San Bernardino National Forest and the City, to achieve their mission, which is to create, enhance, preserve and promote non-motorized use of Big Bear Valley trails and roadways for the enjoyment and transportation of residents and visitors. Ongoing efforts of the group include the design and development of a multi-use path around Baldwin Lake, as well as one between Stanfield Cutoff and Division, and the pursuit of funding for a Valley-wide master plan of trails both on the Valley floor and perimeter mountains; they are also working with the City and County as developments are proposed, to incorporate right of way access and funding for the multi-use paths. A long-term goal of the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation is to explore the possibility of providing a trail guide and information service.
To fund these efforts, the foundation will next week host their first fundraiser, billed as “Pizza and Pizzazz”; all-you-can-eat pizza (for $15), as well as salad and soft drinks, will be provided at Maggio’s in the Interlaken Center, and the pizzazz will be provided by local entertainers Mike Cross and Emily Dunn, as well as Brian Adams, Kim Boda, Steve Cassling, Beth Gardner, John Grandi, Elena Peavy, Nancy Walker and Ty Warren. The entire community is invited to the February 9 event, from 5 to 8pm, to enjoy pizza and pizzazz and find out more about the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation. For more information on Pizza and Pizzazz, see our event listing or call Phil Hamilton at 585-3467; for more on the Trails Foundation, visit their website at BigBearValleyTrailsFoundation.org.

City Council Moves Foward With The Crossings, Establishes Day for Native Americans; Lighthouse Project Steps Down from Marathon Event

The Big Bear Lake City Council meeting began with two presentations, the first of which was a proclamation, designating this Friday, November 27 as National Native American Heritage Day. The City of Big Bear Lake has adopted this special day, as signed into law by President Obama on June 26, in honor of the Yuhaviatam people (now known as the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians) who first resided in our Valley, as well as the more than 20,000 Native Americans who live within San Bernardino County. The San Manuel Band’s Chairman James Ramos, who also happens to be the president of the San Bernardino Valley College District, was on hand to receive the proclamation from Mayor Rick Herrick at last night’s meeting, and responded with gratitude and a ceremonial song honoring the Big Horn Sheep.
The Lighthouse Project, represented by Beth Gardner, also made a presentation at the November 23 Council meeting, highlighting the success of the September 12 Run the Bear Big Bear Lake Marathon, which the non-profit organized on behalf of the City, rather than implementing their plans for Run Ryan’s Run, which was to be a run around Big Bear Lake inspired by local Olympian Ryan Hall. However, given this year’s change in plans, the Lighthouse Project did achieve their objective in fostering a community event which met their goals in terms of showcasing the Valley and producing a first-class run. Gardner noted that, post-marathon, they received a “surprising amount” of feedback from runners, from L.A. to Australia, congratulating our community for its beauty and hospitality. Though pleased with the event, made possible by countless local volunteers, the Lighthouse Project has opted to step down from organizing a future marathon, Gardner told Council, and will instead concentrate their efforts on their original mission: to foster a child-honoring community. To that end, the Lighthouse Project continues to build on their Peace Gardens project at schools, will be bringing the Peace Builders Program to Big Bear Middle School in December, is hosting the Vision 2010 Community Summit at the PAC on February 24, and is hoping to host Run Ryan’s Run in May 2011, pending Hall’s availability.
Following presentations, Council unanimously adopted the Consent Calendar, which included approval of the management agency to oversee The Crossings, the 42-unit workforce housing development being built by family-run Urban Housing Communities on Knickerbocker Road, as well as resident requirements for those who will live there, and the relocation of the one existing family residing on the property. In approving these items, Council commended Redevelopment Director Lyle Haynes and UHC for the thorough report and considerations for the family to be relocated, with Councilmember Michael Karp noting he was “very impressed with the screening of residents and maintenance of projects” for the future housing complex. Council also addressed the Friendship and Sister Cities programs, implemented in 1984, details of which we will bring you in a future newscast/story.

Hall Finishes 4th in New York City Marathon

On November 1st, Bear High School graduate Ryan Hall ran his second marathon since finishing 10th in the 2008 Olympics. The 27-year-old placed fourth overall in the New York City Marathon and 2nd on the U.S. team, finishing in 2 hours, 10 minutes, 36 seconds — just 81 seconds behind his winning teammate.

In an interview with Universal Sports, Hall said, “I was kind of going in and out of feeling good and not feeling good. I think I made some tactical mistakes just sitting too far back. I don’t tend to run well at the back of packs. I was trying to stay relaxed and trying to conserve as much energy as possible. I think I need to be up in the mix more.”

Run, Ryan, Run! Hall to Compete in Sunday’s New York City Marathon

World renowned runner and 2001 Big Bear High School graduate Ryan Hall is set to run in his second marathon since competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in which he placed 10th overall. Twenty-seven-year-old Hall, who now trains in Mammoth, where he lives with wife Sara, will race in this Sunday’s New York City Marathon. In April, Hall participated in the 113th Boston Marathon and, though he led the race for a time, he ultimately placed third overall, following runners from Ethiopia and Kenya. Subsequent professional outings included two half-marathons: August’s New York City Half-Marathon, in which he placed third, and September’s Philadelphia Distance Run, which he won. In fact, Hall was the first American-born runner to win the Philadelphia race since 1986. The ING New York City Marathon on November 1 will air on the Universal Sports TV Network at 6am our time, as well as online at UniversalSports.com; NBC Sports will broadcast a two-hour highlights show of the marathon from 11am to 2pm our time, though the race also airs live on New York’s WNBC, with the race scheduled to begin at 9:40am Eastern time. Run, Ryan, run!

Ryan Hall Takes First in Yesterday’s ING Philadelphia Distance Run

Ryan Hall took victory yesterday, outrunning 12,000 or more runners, including three Kenyans, to place first in the ING Philadelphia Distance Run. Big Bear High School Class of 2001 graduate Hall, who’d placed 10th in the Beijing Olympics, finished the September 20 race of 13.1 miles in a time of 1:01:52—and is the first American-born runner to win the Philadelphia race since 1986. Since completing the race yesterday, Hall posted the following on Twitter: “Great day in Philly! A big confidence booster for New York.” Hall plans to run the New York City Marathon on November 1; in August, he placed third in the New York City Half-Marathon. To view Ryan’s run in Philadelphia, visit this link to RunningCompetitor.

Olympian Ryan Hall Runs to Podium Finish in Yesterday’s NYC Half-Marathon

Olympic marathon runner and 2001 Big Bear High School graduate Ryan Hall was among 10,000 runners in yesterday’s 13.1 mile New York City Half-Marathon, which was said to be the most competitive in the race’s four-year history. The ultimate winner in the professional men’s category was 2008 winner Tadese Tola of Ethiopia, though Hall, the American half-marathon record holder, took third place, missing the second spot on the podium by just three seconds with an overall time of 1:02:35. At the awards ceremony in New York City, 26-year-old Hall noted, “It was a good race”–and, referencing the New York City Marathon on November 1, he added, “Can’t wait to be back. We’re gonna roll it out!”

Beat the Traffic, and Bike Big Bear; Cyclists Invited to Participate in September’s Run the Bear

As traffic may be busy (by Big Bear standards) this weekend, you may want to consider biking around town this weekend. In recent months, the Big Bear Valley Trails Coalition has been instrumental in establishing, now, over 30 miles of Class 3 bike routes throughout the Big Bear Valley. New color maps of Big Bear’s bike routes have also been made available, and these can be picked up at 75 different locations throughout the Valley, including the Visitor Center in the Village of Big Bear Lake, the Big Bear Discovery Center on the North Shore, and the studios of KBHR Radio in Big Bear City. A special opportunity for cyclists will also be available when, come September 12, the Run the Bear Big Bear Lake Marathon will include a bike tour around Big Bear Lake. In addition to the bike tour and marathon in Run the Bear, scheduled for the Saturday after Labor Day, the event will also include a half-marathon, 5K and one-mile kids’ Fun Run. Says event co-organizer Beth Gardner, on behalf of the non-profit group the Lighthouse Project, “We have a lot to be proud of and to share with others. We are the highest altitude marathon in Southern California, San Bernardino County’s only marathon, and offer an exquisitely scenic and challenging course. We are eager to welcome athletes from all over the country to our wonderful community with a huge heart.” Big Bear is increasingly gaining recognition as a high-altitude training facility; in fact, hometown hero Ryan Hall competed in the 2008 Olympic marathon and local Rosalva Bonilla, who ran the 2000 Olympic marathon, also trains here on the mountain and is planning to compete in September’s Run the Bear.

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