[Kenton]

They could easily have carried a Ruger LCP, which weighs about as much.

I've got one of those, and I guarantee it wouldn't stop a charging bear. I put four .380 hollowpoints into the head and neck of snapping turtle, and he was still alive four hours later, just sayin'...

A .44 mag would be better protection, but they are a little heavy for a runner to tote along with him; not to mention he's a teenager, he may not be allowed to carry a handgun.

Having adults stationed along the route of the race with high powered rifles would be more practical.

[marktwain]

I’ve got one of those, and I guarantee it wouldn’t stop a charging bear.

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The bear was not charging, or the runner would not have been able to get out his phone and text his parent that he was being chased by a bear.

Lots of black bears, and a few grizzlys have been killed with .22 rimfires. A .380 is more powerful than a .22 rimfire.

[ichabod1]

Bear mace. And I wonder how well tasers work on bears.