Pollard Middle School, Needham MA
Sunday, May 18th, 2025
🏃♂️ GREAT BEAR RUN - EVENT INFO
IMPORTANT! GREAT BEAR RUN RACE INSTRUCTIONS
🗓️ SCHEDULE
- 5K Run: 10 am - all ages
- 1 Mile Run: 11:45 am - all ages
- 1 Mile Fun Run: 11:47 am - all ages
- 26.2 Meter Bearathon: 12:30 pm - age 0-3 -- NEW TIME
- 100 Meter Dash: 12:45 pm - age 4-5 -- NEW TIME
- 200 Meter Dash: 1:00 pm - age 6 -- NEW TIME
- 400 Meter Run: 1:15 pm - age 7-12 -- NEW TIME
🚶♀️ YOUR ARRIVAL
Arrive at least 45-60 minutes before your race at Pollard School, 200 Harris Ave, Needham 02492
📝 RACE WEEKEND REGISTRATIONS
We recommend bringing a phone for in-person registrations (via a QR Code). Registration (and packet pickup) is held at Pollard Middle School on Saturday 10 am - 12 pm & Sunday starting at 8 am!
🏅 5K COURSE
Our course is a USATF Certified & Sanctioned 5K.
💧 WATER TABLE
There will be a water table at the 2 Mile point in the race
📈 5K AND 1M RESULTS
Will be available online after the race www.greatbearrunresults.org
🛣️ GETTING HERE
🚗 DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO DEFAZIO FIELD
- Route: Take route 95 to Exit 32 - Dedham Ave
- Turn: Turn onto MA-135 W/Dedham Ave toward Needham
- Location: Turn RIGHT into De Fazio Field, 380 Dedham Ave, Needham
🚘 DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO POLLARD SCHOOL
- Route: Take route 95 to Exit 33 - Great Plain Ave.
- Turn: Turn onto Great Plain Ave toward Needham
- Location: Turn LEFT onto Harris Ave (divided street) at Hazel's Bakery
- Destination: Proceed to Pollard School, 200 Harris Ave, Needham
🅿️ PARKING
Needham Residents: We suggest walking or running to Pollard this year due to higher-than-usual registration numbers. For anyone that is driving please park your car on any side street off Harris - one-side parking only. Parking is also available at DeFazio Field - just walk through the field under the railroad bridge and go to the front of Pollard School.
NO PARKING on Harris Ave from Great Plain Ave to Bradford Street: NO PARKING on Bradford Street between Harris Ave and Dedham Ave.
☔ WEATHER
The race is held rain or shine. Consider bringing a water bottle to the race.
🍕 REFRESHMENTS
Fruit, snacks, and water/Gatorade will be provided. Pizza for sale $4 per slice.
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