10 BEARS DEN
The 10 Bears is awarded for mastering the sport of ultrarunning. It is a clock and a standing Grizzly Bear mounted on a large slab of native Montana juniper or cedar. It is earned by a runner who completes 10 Le Grizz events as a registered entrant. The runs do not need to be completed consecutively, and there is no time limit, but there is a penalty for not finishing: No credit for a completion. This award is unique in the sport of ultra running, as it takes at least 10 years to earn. Learning to run ultras is an undertaking that takes years, has nothing to do with accidentally finishing one's first ultra attempt, and is different for everyone. The 10 Bears Award is a measure of the commitment, perseverance, injury management and mental tenacity one must develop to persist in the sport. An occasional DNF or missed year is simply part of a runner's development. This award, unlike recognition for winning or setting a record time, emphasizes! finishing. It places a premium on the patience needed to incorporate necessary recovery periods (with their attendant physical deterioration) into one's lifestyle, to stop and smell the roses rather than just stop and smell. It provides incentive to learn pacing, or to tough it out when a fast time is not going to happen. And it makes one hell of a belt buckle.




The Chief 10 Bears Award enhances membership in the 10 Bears Den by recognizing lifetime achievement. It is conferred on a runner with 20 completions. It is derived from the legacy of Paruasemena, a Comanche Chief whose oration at the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty in 1867 is still regarded as the finest ever delivered by a native American.
After completing one’s 20th run, a candidate must first participate in a First People’s Confirmation, as elements found in Native American culture furnish the most appropriate perspectives available for honoring the accomplishment.

Skookumtumtum (Steve) Heaps

Year of Award: 1991
Years to Earn Award: 10
Age Award Achieved: 47
Hometown: Spokane & Greenacres WA

Performance Data

1982 7:26:48
1983 8:09:02
1984 8:21:11
1985 7:23:57 - Men's Masters Winner
1986 7:14:22
1987 7:47:16
1988 7:46:39
1989 7:53:31
1990 7:49:49
1991 8:27:38 - 10 Bears awarded
1992 9:49:16
1993 7:54:43
1994 7:58:56
1995 8:24:25
1996 8:57:52
1997 8:36:40
1998 9:27:31
1999 10:22:38
2000 9:17:10
2001 10:03:15 - Chief 10 Bears Awarded REPORT
2002 9:28:58
2003 9:39:59
2004 10:08:40
2005 11:26:13
2006 9:54:36
2007 9:56:10
2008 10:59:39
2009 Dropped @ 32 miles - dnf

1983
   

Bobbie (fka Dixon) Pomroy

Year of Award: 1991
Years to Earn Award: 10
Age Award Achieved: 44
Hometown: Helena & Clancy MT

Performance Data

1982 7:21:11 - Women's Overall Winner
1983 7:16:16 - Women's Overall Winner
1984 7:07:56 - Women's Overall Winner
1985 6:37:53 - Women's Overall Winner - Women's Course Record
1986 7:05:37 - Women's Overall Winner
1987 6:58:18 - Women's Overall Winner - Women's Masters Course Record
1988 7:42:09 - Women's Masters Winner
1989 7:29:08 - Women's Masters Winner
1990 7:23:51 - Women's Overall Winner
1991 7:54:32 - Women's Masters Winner - 10 Bears awarded
1992 7:58:30 - Women's Overall Winner
1993 8:01:12
1994 8:44:18

1988

Rick Spady

Year of Award: 1992
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 40
Hometown: Ovando MT & Cool CA

Performance Data

1982 6:36:23 - Men's Overall Winner
1983 5:55:49 - Men's Overall Winner
1984 Dropped @ 10 miles - dnf
1985 6:33:56
1986 5:50:56 - Men's Overall Winner
1987 6:19:57
1988 5:44:54 - Men's Overall Winner
1989 6:05:09 - Men's Open Winner
1990 6:10:21 - Men's Overall Winner
1991 5:59:36
1992 6:36:53 - 10 Bears awarded
1993 6:37:55
1995 Dropped @ 18 miles - dnf
1996 7:06:38
1998 Dropped @ 36 miles - dnf
2001 8:01:54

1990

Jim Pomroy

Year of Award: 1993
Years to Earn Award: 12
Age Award Achieved: 47
Hometown: Clancy MT

Performance Data

1982 7:09:30
1983 6:38:03
1984 6:35:57 - Men's Overall Winner
1985 6:13:35 - Men's Overall Winner
1986 Dropped @ 10 miles - dnf
1987 6:22:27 - Men's Masters Winner
1988 6:29:21 - Men's Masters Winner
1989 6:56:15
1990 Dropped @ 15 miles - dnf
1991 6:35:09
1992 6:45:28
1993 7:21:05 - 10 Bears awarded
1994 7:51:36

1983

Larry Carroll

Year of Award: 1993
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 53
Hometown: Post Falls ID, Spokane & Liberty Lake WA

Performance Data

1983 7:02:19 - Men's Masters Winner
1984 6:48:54 - Men's Masters Winner
1985 8:11:53
1986 6:49:42
1988 7:16:58
1989 7:49:04
1990 7:33:58
1991 7:29:01
1992 7:01:36 - Men's Seniors Winner
1993 7:13:34 - Men's Seniors Winner - 10 Bears awarded
1994 7:15:48 - Men's Seniors Winner
1995 7:04:09
1996 6:58:45 - Men's Seniors Winner
1997 7:49:14
1998 7:09:01 - Men's Seniors Winner
1999 7:28:38 - Men's Seniors Winner
2000 7:17:21 - Men's Seniors Winner
2001 7:13:52 - Men's Seniors Winner
2002 7:35:58
2003 7:28:55 – Men’s Seniors Winner - Chief 10 Bears Awarded
2004 Dropped @ 18 miles dnf
2006 8:29:46
2008 8:29:38

1988

Doug Clark

Year of Award: 1995
Years to Earn Award: 13
Age Award Achieved: 47
Hometown: Nine Mile Falls & Spokane WA

Performance Data

1983 6:50:17
1984 7:09:21
1985 6:32:19
1987 7:47:16
1988 7:19:59
1989 6:49:26
1990 7:28:45
1991 8:57:37
1993 7:45:30
1995 8:24:25 - 10 Bears awarded
1996 7:51:20
2004 9:12:17

1987
with Support Crew

Jim Grindley

Year of Award: 1995
Years to Earn Award: 12
Age Award Achieved: 58
Hometown: Bozeman MT, Thief River Falls MN & Cottonwood, AZ

Performance Data

1984 8:17:07
1985 8:27:50
1986 7:43:56
1987 7:59:11
1988 8:48:51
1989 9:09:42
1992 8:45:43
1993 10:20:02
1994 10:33:24
1995 10:41:36 - 10 Bears awarded
1999 10:43:01
2000 10:45:33
2002 10:51:50
2003 9:49:25
2004 9:48:07
2005 9:32:16
2006 11:01:29
2007 10:09:51
2008 10:36:40
2009 10:46:15 - Chief 10 Bears Awarded

1988

Bill Close

Year of Award: 1996
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 36
Hometown: Spokane WA

Performance Data

1986 7:46:50
1988 8:16:08
1989 8:31:50
1990 8:23:57
1991 8:30:37
1992 8:51:50
1993 8:52:08
1994 9:20:20
1995 8:31:21
1996 9:03:32 - 10 Bears awarded
1997 9:18:57
2000 Participated unregistered

1996
(inset 1988)

Stuart White

Year of Award: 1998
Years to Earn Award: 10
Age Award Achieved: 51
Hometown: Great Falls MT

Performance Data

1989 7:38:55
1990 6:55:38
1991 6:34:12 - Men's Masters Winner
1992 6:49:59
1993 6:58:37
1994 6:50:09
1995 7:08:06
1996 7:09:30
1997 7:18:09 - Men's Seniors Winner
1998 7:42:31 - 10 Bears awarded
1999 7:51:25
2000 8:55:48
2001 8:32:10
2002 7:58:50
2003 8:10:11
2004 7:54:36
2005 8:30:24
2006 8:23:05
2007 8:22:28
2008 9:56:33 - Chief 10 Bears Awarded
2009 9:14:37

1994

Bob Feeney

Year of Award: 1998
Years to Earn Award: 10
Age Award Achieved: 46
Hometown: Medicine Hat AB

Performance Data

1989 6:30:42
1990 6:21:48
1991 6:07:35
1992 6:04:16 - Men's Masters Winner
1993 6:02:55 - Men's Masters Winner
1994 6:09:38 - Men's Masters Winner
1995 6:32:29 - Men's Masters Winner
1996 6:53:36 - Men's Masters Winner
1997 6:58:09
1998 6:34:12 - 10 Bears awarded
1999 8:05:48
2000 7:05:50
2001 7:37:22
2002 7:27:19 - Men's Seniors Winner
2003 8:30:02
2004 8:20:18
2005 7:45:29
2006 8:01:30
2007 8:36:23
2008 9:10:11 - Chief 10 Bears Awarded
2009 9:14:37

1999

Mark Totman

Year of Award: 1998
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 43
Hometown: Spokane WA

Performance Data

1988 7:30:09
1989 8:12:08
1990 8:16:24
1991 7:21:29
1992 7:31:20
1993 7:22:42
1994 7:17:07
1995 7:46:42
1997 7:30:22
1998 7:44:34 - 10 Bears awarded

1992

Mark Tarr

Year of Award: 1999
Years to Earn Award: 10
Age Award Achieved: 37
Hometown: Whitefish & Columbia Falls MT

Performance Data

1990 6:29:12
1991 5:53:57 - Men's Overall Winner
1992 6:00:37 - Men's Overall Winner
1993 5:51:21 - Men's Overall Winner
1994 5:38:26 - Men's Overall Winner
1995 6:13:03
1996 5:34:38 - Men's Overall Winner - Men's Course Record
1997 5:55:30 - Men's Overall Winner
1998 6:02:42 - Men's Overall Winner
1999 6:08:43 - 10 Bears Awarded
2000 6:17:17 - Men's Overall Winner
2001 6:12:59 - Men's Overall Winner
2002 6:27:02 - Men's Overall Winner
2003 6:36:05 - Men's Overall Winner
2004 6:32:45 - Men's Overall Winner
2005 6:26:17 - Men's Overall Winner
2006 6:41:43 - Men's Masters Winner
2007 7:16:48
2008 Dropped @ 18 miles - dnf
2009 Dropped before checkpoint - dnf

1996
with son Aric after setting course record

Will Aslin

Year of Award: 1999
Years to Earn Award: 16
Age Award Achieved: 52
Hometown: Spokane WA

Performance Data

1984 8:29:02
1985 8:19:03
1987 7:36:57
1988 7:26:23
1991 7:52:16
1993 9:03:53
1995 8:46:45
1997 9:01:29
1998 9:56:53
1999 9:50:42 - 10 Bears awarded
2001 9:49:43
2003 10:48:43
2009 11:11:37

1988

Mike Rembolt

Year of Award: 1999
Years to Earn Award: 13
Age Award Achieved: 49
Hometown: Spokane WA

Performance Data

1987 8:26:58
1988 8:17:20
1989 8:27:15
1990 8:03:07
1993 7:51:26
1994 10:13:23
1995 10:24:49
1996 8:09:28
1997 8:42:51
1999 9:01:34 - 10 Bears awarded

1988

Dennis Clute

Year of Award: 1999
Years to Earn Award: 10
Age Award Achieved: 46
Hometown: Spokane WA

Performance Data

1990 7:22:09
1991 7:33:27
1992 8:20:58
1993 7:57:57
1994 7:43:34
1995 8:07:09
1996 7:46:10
1997 7:47:57
1998 7:51:46
1999 8:09:39 - 10 Bears awarded
2000 8:51:32
2001 7:38:02
2002 8:03:05
2003 8:32:30
2004 8:10:43
2005 8:37:58
2006 8:37:46
2007 8:00:31
2008 8:15:28
2009 9:17:05 - Chief 10 Bears Awarded

1993

Mary Ann Clute

Year of Award: 1999
Years to Earn Award: 10
Age Award Achieved: 47
Hometown: Spokane WA

Performance Data

1990 9:39:48
1991 9:19:28
1992 8:45:43
1993 8:51:00
1994 8:55:48
1995 8:47:01
1996 9:16:53
1997 9:59:27
1998 9:27:31
1999 9:47:27 - 10 Bears awarded
2001 10:15:16
2002 10:26:06
2003 11:17:43
2004 10:24:07
2005 10:46:33
2006 9:49:47
2007 11:56:36
2008 10:06:05
2009 10:55:53

1993

Jim Ballard

Year of Award: 1999
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 49
Hometown: Bozeman MT & Klamath Falls OR

Performance Data

1989 9:09:42
1991 10:49:20
1992 8:43:45
1993 9:43:44
1994 10:04:21
1995 9:16:58
1996 10:00:28
1997 11:26:34
1998 11:10:34
1999 10:43:01 - 10 Bears awarded
2001 11:41:52
2002 10:51:50
2004 10:24:07
2005 10:13:49
2006 12:16:18
2007 12:35:28
2009 13:47:02

1999

Ron Warner

Year of Award: 2000
Years to Earn Award: 10
Age Award Achieved: 56
Hometown: Tacoma & Allyn WA

Performance Data

1991 8:16:15
1992 7:54:46
1993 7:43:13
1994 7:49:09
1995 8:31:21
1996 8:07:06
1997 8:27:12
1998 8:32:42
1999 9:16:02
2000 9:38:16 - 10 Bears awarded
2003 10:51:58

1997

Bob Haynes

Year of Award: 2000
Years to Earn Award: 10
Age Award Achieved: 69
Hometown: Bozeman & Absarokee MT, Bend OR

Performance Data

1991 11:17:29
1992 11:35:30
1993 11:18:08
1994 11:22:32
1995 11:42:58
1996 11:34:35
1997 11:40:29
1998 12:48:54
1999 15:04:30
2000 14:22:10 - 10 Bears awarded
2004 16:30:45
2005 no finish reported - dnf
2006 participated unregistered

2000

Dan Whittemore

Year of Award: 2002
Years to Earn Award: 13
Age Award Achieved: 50
Hometown: Alexandria NH

Performance Data

1990 8:23:56
1991 8:30:35
1993 8:52:06
1996 8:15:39
1997 8:06:25
1998 7:45:25
1999 7:30:16
2000 7:46:09
2001 7:43:29
2002 8:03:59 - 10 Bears awarded
2007 9:04:14

1991

Fred Robinson

Year of Award: 2002
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 49
Hometown: Helena MT

Performance Data

1992 8:21:45
1993 7:44:43
1994 7:53:15
1995 8:07:56
1996 8:04:31
1997 8:12:58
1999 8:46:03
2000 9:17:10
2001 9:34:51
2002 9:28:58 - 10 Bears awarded
2009 Dropped @ 18 miles - dnf

 

1994

John Koch

Year of Award: 2003
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 60
Hometown: Bremerton & Winthrop WA

Performance Data

1993 8:44:45
1994 8:01:34
1995 7:46:52
1996 8:17:37
1998 8:51:36
1999 9:55:37
2000 8:46:01
2001 10:35:29
2002 10:09:10
2003 10:13:15 - 10 Bears awarded

1998

Jim McKenzie

Year of Award: 2003
Years to Earn Award: 12
Age Award Achieved: 48
Hometown: Missoula & Livingston MT

Performance Data

1992 8:04:35
1993 8:23:52
1994 8:24:16
1995 8:36:55
1996 10:33:59
1998 9:14:01
1999 9:34:13
2000 8:38:50
2002 11:30:05
2003 9:09:55 - 10 Bears awarded
2004 9:22:40
2005 9:33:12
2006 9:36:10
2007 Checkpoint-Aid Station Staff
2009 9:52:39
1999

Tom Rowe

Year of Award: 2003
Years to Earn Award: 15
Age Award Achieved: 55
Hometown: Livingston MT

Performance Data

1989 8:13:58
1995 7:47:37
1996 7:47:07
1997 7:37:25
1998 8:04:48
1999 8:01:38
2000 7:36:34
2001 8:08:42
2002 8:49:02
2003 8:42:42 - 10 Bears awarded
2004 9:08:20
2006 9:04:34

1999

Judy Novobielski-Muhs

Year of Award: 2003
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 48
Hometown: St. Maries ID

Performance Data

1993 8:45:35
1994 8:55:23
1995 8:46:49
1996 8:58:05
1997 8:24:09
1998 9:24:45
2000 9:21:48
2001 9:48:05
2002 10:42:36
2003 10:48:43 - 10 Bears awarded
2005 10:31:12
2007 Entrant crew

1994

Dick Hembd

Year of Award: 2003
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 59
Hometown: Kalispell & Columbia Falls MT

Performance Data

1991 Beer baron/food dude
1992 Beer baron/food dude
1993 8:03:47
1994 7:46:31
1995 9:27:09
1996 8:31:24
1997 8:59:17
1998 Course patrol
1999 9:36:42
2000 8:37:36
2001 8:33:55
2002 8:59:17
2003 8:43:38 - 10 Bears awarded
2009 Awards table

2003

Sharon Carroll

Year of Award: 2003
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 60
Hometown:  Spokane & Liberty Lake WA

Performance Data

1993 8:51:51 - Women’s Seniors Winner
1994 8:54:56 - Women’s Seniors Winner
1995 8:58:44 - Women’s Seniors Winner
1996 9:18:20 - Women’s Seniors Winner
1997 9:13:15 - Women’s Seniors Winner
1998 9:04:42
1999 10:17:06 - Women’s Seniors Winner
2001 9:47:48
2002 10:54:27
2003 10:01:36 - 10 Bears awarded
2004 10:00:23 - Women's Seniors Winner
2007 11:56:40
2008 Entrant crew
2002

William (Bill) Greene

Year of Award: 2004
Years to Earn Award: 23
Age Award Achieved: 60
Hometown: Spokane WA

Performance Data

1982 7:17:37
1987 6:50:09
1989 Dropped @ 30 miles – dnf
1990 7:26:51
1992 8:37:10
1993 7:45:30
1995 8:24:25
1999 9:20:57
2002 9:28:58
2003 8:42:16
2004 9:47:24 - 10 Bears awarded
2007 9:05:06
2008 10:59:39

 
 
2004
 

Margaret Smith Heaphy

Year of Award: 2006
Years to Earn Award: 20
Age Award Achieved: 51
Hometown: Missoula & Polebridge MT

Performance Data

1987 9:17:19
1990 8:40:54
1992 8:31:47
1993 9:04:34
1994 8:34:21
1995 10:13:59
1996 9:39:41
2002 10:58:30
2004 11:34:06
2006 12:06:48 - 10 Bears awarded
2007 11:22:04
2009 Entrant crew

   
1994
 

Bob Hayes

Year of Award: 2006
Years to Earn Award: 12
Age Award Achieved: 80
Hometown: Evaro MT

Performance Data

1995 9:37:49
1996 8:49:07
1997 8:55:44
1998 8:56:13
1999 9:36:42
2000 9:50:52
2002 9:56:35
2004 9:50:22
2005 10:13:49
2006 11:04:03 - 10 Bears awarded
2008 11:00:33
2009 10:47:45

2006
with wife Ann, son Tom, son Andy & daughter-in-law Liz
   

 
 

Pam Naugle

Year of Award: 2007
Years to Earn Award: 15
Age Award Achieved: 55
Hometown: Butte & Helena MT

Performance Data

1993 10:20:02
1994 10:33:24
1995 10:48:18
1997 11:26:34
1998 11:19:28
1999 11:32:23
2001 11:41:00
2002 11:25:31
2003 11:06:19
2007 12:35:28 - 10 Bears awarded
   

1994

 

Jocelyn & Byron Chikinda

Year of Award: 2007
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 47 & 56
Hometown: Edmonton AB

Performance Data

1997 10:26:52 – Women’s Open Winner (Jocelyn)
1998 10:44:55
1999 10:17:31
2000 9:38:45
2002 10:48:33
2003 10:14:50
2004 10:47:14
2005 10:33:56
2006 11:31:38
2007 11:04:03 - 10 Bears awarded
2008 10:25:50 Byron (Jocelyn crewed)

2000

       
 

Ron Carey

Year of Award: 2008
Years to Earn Award: 18
Age Award Achieved: 57
Hometown: Salem OR

Performance Data

1991 7:50:05
1992 8:42:27
1993 7:44:10
1996 7:56:18
1997 7:47:30
1998 7:57:52
2004 8:46:13
2005 8:43:00
2006 10:17:20
2008 11:08:39 - 10 Bears awarded
2009 10:51:58

Ron Carey

2006
       
   

Brooks Wade

Year of Award: 2008
Years to Earn Award: 17
Age Award Achieved: 63
Hometown: Anchorage AK

Performance Data

1992 7:47:23
1993 7:38:36
1994 7:49:49
1995 8:01:38
1996 8:28:30
1997 8:47:50
2005 10:11:17
2006 10:37:20
2007 10:04:59
2008 10:27:30 - 10 Bears awarded

Brooks Wade

1997

       
   

Mary Ritz

Year of Award: 2008
Years to Earn Award: 10
Age Award Achieved: 53
Hometown: Gooding ID & Cody WY

Performance Data

1999 11:38:13
2000 11:17:38
2001 11:08:47
2002 11:24:09
2003 11:25:32
2004 11:20:51
2005 11:06:02
2006 11:18:12
2007 11:26:45
2008 11:26:14 - 10 Bears awarded

Mary Ritz

2003

       
   

Kathie Lang

Year of Award: 2008
Years to Earn Award: 13
Age Award Achieved: 59
Hometown: Bozeman MT & Klamath Falls OR

Performance Data

1996 Dropped @ 36 miles – dnf
1997 11:47:33
1998 11:52:43
1999 11:53:13
2001 11:41:52
2002 11:37:20
2004 12:11:31
2005 11:58:49
2006 12:16:18
2007 12:35:28
2008 12:08:31 - 10 Bears awarded
2009 12:51:04

Kathie Lang

2008

       
   

Larry Vandenburg

Year of Award: 2009
Years to Earn Award: 17
Age Award Achieved: 55
Hometown: Spokane WA

Performance Data

1993 7:41:13
1994 6:56:17
1995 6:56:13
1999 6:55:15 – Men´s Masters Winner
2001 7:05:15
2004 7:43:50
2005 7:19:38
2007 8:04:22
2008 7:55:48 – Men´s Seniors Winner
2009 7:35:25 – Men´s Seniors Winner - 10 Bears awarded

1995
       
   

Murray Barker

Year of Award: 2009
Years to Earn Award: 12
Age Award Achieved: 46
Hometown: Medicine Hat AB

Performance Data

1998 6:34:12
1999 6:54:31
2000 7:13:04
2002 7:16:50 – Men´s Open Winner
2003 8:30:02
2005 7:11:40
2006 7:50:30
2007 7:41:58
2008 7:47:42
2009 8:15:21 – Men´s Masters Winner - 10 Bears awarded

Murray Barker

2007
       
   

Bob Johnson

Year of Award: 2009
Years to Earn Award: 11
Age Award Achieved: 71
Hometown: Bozeman MT

Performance Data

1999 10:57:32
2000 11:16:24
2001 11:07:41
2002 10:24:41
2003 10:54:06
2004 11:07:12
2005 10:52:19
2006 11:19:38
2007 11:45:36
2009 12:13:37 - 10 Bears awarded

Bob Johnson

2004