The 61st annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games opened with a footrace that was shorter than your average Bear.
The Bear, a grueling, typically five-mile hill climb that kicks off the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, returned Thursday, July 7, but under slightly different circumstances.
Although Michael Holland of Beech Mountain, N.C., finished first, it was the wind that had the fastest time. With gusts of up to 66 mph recorded at the Mile High Swinging Bridge — and, according to Grandfather Mountain staff, up to 74 mph in the top parking lot, where the race typically finishes — The Bear was shortened by .