The Right Altitude in Big Bear

   Big Bear Lake’s hometown hero Ryan Hall will represent the United States Olympic Team at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Mr. Hall is predicted to win an Olympic medal in the marathon, and is being hailed as America’s next great long distance running icon. He credits much of his success to high altitude training in Big Bear Lake. In fact, Hall is currently training in Big Bear to get ready for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

   “I remember my first run ever around Big Bear Lake,” recalled Ryan Hall. “It was the beauty of the lake and the grace of God that allowed me to finish. Who knows maybe it will inspire a new vision for others, like it did for me."

   Ryan Hall graduated from Big Bear High School in 2001, where he was a standout long distance runner for the cross country and track teams. He won two state track titles and one national title in the mile. He learned at an early age that high altitude training in Big Bear gave him an advantage over competitors from off the mountain. In November 2007 Hall won the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in a record time 2:09:02. Before the trials he trained in Big Bear Lake.

   Hall competes in the Olympic Marathon August 24, 2008. Two weeks later he returns to his hometown of Big Bear Lake as official ambassador for Big Bear’s inaugural marathon September 6, 2008.

   Ryan Hall will not run in the Big Bear Marathon, but as official ambassador for the event he endorses Big Bear as a great place to train. Hall encourages participants who have signed up for the Big Bear Marathon and other athletes to not only take advantage of Big Bear’s high altitude, but also for its cool alpine weather. 

   “At 7000 feet, Big Bear offers great training ground for athletes who want to enhance their performance,” said HBT Events Director and Big Bear Marathon Producer Darrell Courtney.

   Courtney says he meets athletes from around the world who acknowledge high altitude training as a key factor for successful long distance running. Courtney says he wants athletes to become more aware of high altitude training, and suggests Big Bear is the perfect solution.

    “A guy from Brazil came up to me at the LA Marathon and told me Americans did not understand high altitude training, until Ryan Hall came onto the scene,” said Courtney. “He explained to me that Ryan Hall gave away the world’s greatest long distance running secret of high altitude training.”  

   Other world-class athletes who have trained in Big Bear include former World Boxing Association Boxing Champions Oscar De La Hoya and “Sugar” Shane Mosely.

   Big Bear is a cool getaway for athletes to train and offers a wide range of amenities and accommodations. To learn about everything there is to see and do in Big Bear Lake, to book lodging accommodations, or to request a Visitors Guide, log on to www.bigbear.com or call 1.800.4.BIG.BEAR (1.800.424.4232).

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