The dramatic escalation of reported sightings of "Running Bear", the legendary webmaster for the Pine Belt Pacers and Longleaf Trace, has prompted federal and state investigators as well as amateur thrill seekers to be the first to expose the true identity of who is rumored to be one of the great scoundrels of all time. First appearing as a phantom participant in adventure races across the country, Running Bear’s activities in propaganda have now spread to the internet, where it is rumored that the "Bear" may actually be either Brittany Spears, Michael Jackson, or local running legend Elmer Beardshall. For his part, Beardshall denied any involvement, stating, "Yes, I do attend rehab every year in Moab, Utah for three months, but I am a happily married man, have never had plastic surgery, and think that Tony Mozingo is a great American. I wore the ‘Running Bear’ nametag at the Mississippi Trail 50 registration as a joke!"

Undaunted and unconvinced by Beardshall’s denials, Millie "Toot Toot" Mozingo, yesterday took it upon herself to begin her version of the scavenger hunt in defense of her father, (no pun intended…). Beginning at Clyde Depot, Mozingo mounted her Trek GoBug, fully outfitted with sensors, GPS devices, Geiger counters, and other high-tech equipment by the Hattiesburg Bicycle Center and moved east along the Longleaf Trace yesterday afternoon in a scouting expedition.

Not long after passing Jackson Road station, Toot Toot found her first clue.

After waiting around Mile Post 7 for several minutes, the young investigator’s hopes were raised as a lone cyclist with an orange flag passed by. However, she was disappointed to find that he was unimpressed with her version of the old country song that she sang as he passed, "Running Bear Loves The Little White Dove".

Still convinced that the true Running Bear would respond affectionately to such a secret message, she called off her search for the day, vowing to continue for as long as it takes.

"I’ll find him one day," she lamented, "no matter how long it takes…"