Races
Kodiak Ultra Marathons
Big Bear Lake. San Bernardino high country. Sugarloaf at ten thousand feet twice. Holcomb Valley sand.
100 mi+18,651 ft-18,582 ft36 hours5,467 ft to 9,951 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookSan Bernardino MountainsWSER qualifierOctoberWSER qualifier
Distance100 mi
Gain+18,651 ft
Loss-18,582 ft
Altitude5,467 ft to 9,951 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 85°F
- Start6,736 ft
- High9,892 ft
- Low5,502 ft
- Finish6,804 ft
Field, 2025 · 3-year samplescraped
Starters437
Finish rate75%
Median29:49
Sub-2443
Geometryderived
Steepest drop902 ft-8.1% over 2.1 mi
Night miles50 misunset near 17:00 local
Time over 8k ft13%
Course records
Men16:22:08Vincent BOUILLARD
Women19:31:17Lin CHEN
The cruxDouble Sugarloaf Mountain (10,000 ft) crossing (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Kodiak Ultra Marathons runs 100 mi through Big Bear Lake, California. +11,249 ft gain and -11,183 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% jeep / 5% paved. Double Sugarloaf Mountain (10,000 ft) crossing. High point near 9,793 ft. Low near 5,549 ft. October temps run 35°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 11,249 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 36 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
October in Big Bear Lake, California: plan for 35°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 36 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Double Sugarloaf Mountain (10,000 ft) crossing near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Kodiak Ultra Marathons finish lines.
Official siteBack to racesPredict your timeTrain for this raceCheck readinessFoot care guide
Sources (3)
- Field stats (2025): https://utmb.world/utmb-index/races/2452.kodiakultramarathonsbyutmb100m.2025?page=1
- Qualifier: wser: https://www.wser.org/qualifying-races/
- Course record (M): https://utmb.world/utmb-index/races/2452.kodiakultramarathonsbyutmb100m.2023?page=1