News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > California Multisport Came to Big Bear

California Multisport Came to Big Bear

Defending Champ Eric Sullivan Returns

By Michael P. Neufeld
Sunday, July 27, 2008

Fawnskin, CA – High altitude expert Eric Sullivan was expected to return to Big Bear July 27 to defend his title in the California Multisport event challenged by Big Bear resident Darren Clarke and others.

The second stop on the California Multisport series is co-sponsored by the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA) at the Big Bear Discovery Center. Multisport is billed as the perfect event for the novice athlete looking to join the multisport scene.

Eric Sullivan from Crested Butte, Colorado is expected to defend is California Multisport title in Big Bear on Sunday. (Photo by California Multisport.)

"Run six (6) miles, bike 14 miles and paddle five (5) miles of beautiful Big Bear Valley," encourages Sarah Miggins, Executive Director of SBNFA. "We are pleased to coordinate this event with California Multisport that showcases the adventures that are to be had in San Bernardino National Forest."

This opportunity would not be available without the enthusiasm and expertise from one of Big Bear's most athletic couples. Paul Romero and Karen Lungren are long time local residents and athletes. They have organized and promoted events for over ten years and have competed as a professional adventure racing team which is consistently recognized as a top five internationally ranked team.

Sullivan, from Crested Butte, Colorado, dominated the first event of the series in Vail, Colorado and has committed to participate in Big Bear. He lives at 7,700-feet and trains at even higher elevations.

Big Bear's Clarke, who has been spending time running and biking the area's steepest trails, is hoping to keep the title in Big Bear.

The SBNFA is the lead nonprofit to the U.S. Forest Service on the San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF); complementing their priority efforts of educating forest visitors about the National Forest, through education, conservation and outdoor recreation programs. In addition, instilling forest stewardship values through educational and recreational programming to San Bernardino National Forest visitors and residents are key organizational core values and tactics.

California Multisport compliments the mission of these forest partnerships by providing an experience that introduces athletes from all over the region to the National Forest. California Multisport is committed to providing a 100% waste free event. Together, we will require that every participant and spectator take home what they bring to the event – keeping trails trash free and Big Bear Valley beautiful.

Please join us for our first annual California Multisport event on July 27 by registering online at http:www.calmultisport.com or call Sarah Miggins at (909) 382-2796 for more information.

The San Bernardino National Forest Association is the primary non-profit partner to the U.S. Forest Service and, through seven programs and 1,000 volunteers, share a mutual mission of "caring for the land and serving the people" on the San Bernardino National Forest. The programs include Children's Forest, Big Bear Discovery Center, Off Highway Vehicle Outreach Education, Forest Care, Fire Lookout Hosts, Urban Youth Conservation Corps and Wildfire Education Experience. For more information or to sponsor a program, please call Sarah Miggins, executive director, at (909) 382-2796.