After a three year hiatus in order to do some different hat styles, we are back to t-shirts for 2025. We are very excited about these! All registered runners and volunteers will receive one of these t-shirts.
The American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) is the inspiration for this years Superior Spring Trail Race T-Shirt. The black bear is the only bear species in the state of Minnesota. They mostly live in forested areas in the northern and central part of the state, but some do occasionally make it further south. In spring they emerge from their winter dens, seeking food as the weather warms and plants return. They may have lost up to half of their body fat during hibernation and will start foraging for vegetation and other natural foods. They are omnivores, primarily eating plant-based foods, with about 75-85% of their diet consisting of vegetation like berries, nuts, and roots. They also consume insects, and occasionally fish or small mammals, with animal matter making up the remaining 15-25% of their diet. They follow their noses, and use their mental maps of the landscape to locate food sources, which are in a constant state of flux, from season to season and year to year. They have a keen sense of smell (better than a dog). Adult black bears will attain a length five to six feet long, varying in weight from 150 lbs for a small female to 500 lbs for a large male. Black bears in Minnesota avoid human contact and are very rarely aggressive, but their space should always be respected. They are a treat to see when you get a chance. While sightings during the race are rare, I have seen many bears on the Spring race course sections over the years!
