Bear Attacks Marathon Runner Just Miles From Finish Line

Williams shows her facial injuries post attack. ABC photo. 

As if running 26.2 miles isn't tough enough, being attacked by a bear only miles from the finish line probably isn't in many marathon training plans. Runner Karen Williams was attacked by a female black bear in Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico last Saturday after startling the mother bear and her three cubs while participating in the race.

Williams, who was found by another runner 30 minutes after the attack, received several non-life threatening injuries, but was airlifted by medical helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque for treatment, and doctors say she is expected to recover fully from her injuries. Williams told ABC that "She was ripping at my upper arms. I had my hands over the head and I screamed because that hurt." She claimed that, upon hearing her screaming, the bear was displeased and "she gave me a whack on the side of the head with her left paw."

The mother bear then continued to attack Williams, biting her neck and shaking her. Not knowing what to do, and realizing she was fast running out of options, Williams decided to play dead, which eventually proved successful. "I pretended I was dead, and she kept glancing over at me".

Valles Caldera National Preserve is home to many varieties of wildlife. Valles Caldera photo. 

Valles Caldera posted an official statement to their Facebook page, and offered their sympathy to Williams. “Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the individual during their recovery from the injuries,” said Jorge Silva-Bañuelos, superintendent of Valles Caldera National Preserve.

As per New Mexico law, the bear is required to be located, euthanized, and tested for rabies following the attack of a human. Her cubs will be sent to a wildlife refuge upon her capture. 

Cover image via Wikipedia.

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