UTMB World Series (Kodiak Ultra Marathons)
HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB - 100M
Running Springs, CA (Rim Nordic Ski Area) → Big Bear Lake, CA
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The HOKA Kodiak Ultra 100M by UTMB is a point-to-point mountain race covering 162 km from Rim Nordic Ski Area in Running Springs, CA to Big Bear Lake, CA, with 4,622 m of total climbing and a high point of 3,029 m. It plays out almost entirely in the San Bernardino Mountains, threading through high desert terrain, pine forest, and exposed ridgelines at elevations that rarely drop below 1,800 m. The combination of sustained altitude, variable desert weather, and cumulative vertical makes this far more demanding than the headline numbers suggest. With 11 checkpoints spread across the route — several with crew access — runners have ample opportunity to resupply and reset, but the long stretches between crewed points demand careful self-sufficiency and disciplined pacing from the gun.
Course & Terrain Overview
The route begins at Rim Nordic Ski Area (2,061 m) and immediately establishes the character of the race: rolling high-country trails through pine and fir before dropping into the Hanna Flat area at kilometer 22 (1,921 m). The course then climbs back to Fawnskin at kilometer 34 and 2,345 m — the first crewed checkpoint — signaling that the terrain is never content to stay flat for long. The middle section from Fawnskin through Holcomb Valley (km 53, 2,083 m) and down to Doble (km 70, 1,833 m) covers some of the most runnable ground on the course, which is exactly where runners get into trouble. Arrastre Creek at km 86 marks a climb back to 2,109 m before the Onyx Summit area checkpoint at km 100 (2,162 m), which functions as a genuine psychological and physical reset point at the race's midpoint. The back half pivots dramatically upward toward Sugarloaf Mountain summit (km 115, 2,931 m), the highest and most exposed point on the course, before a long descent and traverse through Aspen Glen (km 132, 2,232 m) and Champion/Skyline (km 147, 2,217 m) into Big Bear Lake at the finish (2,072 m). The overall profile is deceptive — the elevation never gets alpine-extreme, but the sustained high altitude and relentless rolling character accumulate fatigue in ways flatter hundred-milers do not.
Decisive Climbs & Where the Race Is Won or Lost
The race has two moments that separate finishers from fighters. The first is the Holcomb Valley to Doble stretch (km 53–70): the course drops to its lowest crewed checkpoint at Doble (1,833 m) after a long, runnable traverse, and runners who have gone out hard will begin to crack here under the combined weight of heat, mileage, and the false confidence of easy terrain. The second — and truly decisive — moment is the climb to Sugarloaf Mountain summit at km 115 (2,931 m). Coming after 100 km of accumulated effort, this is the highest point on the course and the last major climb before the finish corridor. Legs that have been abused through the middle section will have nothing left for Sugarloaf; legs managed with patience will climb it efficiently and carry momentum all the way to Big Bear Lake. The Onyx Summit area checkpoint at km 100 is the last crew point before this summit — use it to eat a full meal, change socks, and mentally commit to the climb ahead. The 15 km from Onyx Summit to Sugarloaf's top is where the race is definitively decided.
Pacing & Race Strategy
The single most important strategic principle for the Kodiak 100M is treating the first half — particularly the runnable middle miles through Holcomb Valley — as a deposit, not a withdrawal. The terrain from km 20 through km 70 feels inviting and fast, and that's the trap. Running those miles at a pace that feels almost social, even embarrassingly easy, is exactly the right call. The record on this course was built on patience early, not aggression. A useful mental frame for the back half: break the remaining distance into short, managed segments rather than staring down 60 km of mountain. From Onyx Summit, it's Sugarloaf. From Sugarloaf, it's Aspen Glen. From Aspen Glen, it's Champion. Two more and you're home. The final cut-off at the Big Bear Lake finish is Sunday 01:00 — know your target pace relative to that window so you're never surprised by time pressure in the late miles when cognitive function is compromised.
Fueling & Aid Station Approach
With crew access at the start, Fawnskin (km 34), Holcomb Valley (km 53), Onyx Summit (km 100), Aspen Glen (km 132), and the finish, you have reasonable crew frequency — but notice the 47 km gap between Holcomb Valley and Onyx Summit, spanning Doble (km 70) and Arrastre Creek (km 86) where crew are not present. Those two checkpoints need to be self-sufficient resupply points. Carry enough calories and hydration to cover roughly 16–20 km between each, accounting for heat and altitude that both suppress appetite and accelerate fluid loss. Eat real food at every crewed checkpoint regardless of appetite — the stomach shuts down in the back third if it hasn't been consistently loaded through the middle miles. Caffeine should be staged from Onyx Summit onward, with a calculated dose timed for the Sugarloaf climb. Do not arrive at Sugarloaf (km 115, 2,931 m) in a caloric deficit.
Conditions to Expect
The San Bernardino Mountains at altitude combine elements that catch runners off guard: daytime temperatures can swing into genuine desert heat in the lower valleys and exposed sections, while nighttime temperatures at 2,000–3,000 m can drop sharply enough to require a shell and gloves. The Sugarloaf Mountain summit at 2,931 m is the most exposed point on the course and the most likely place to encounter wind chill, even in otherwise benign conditions. Runners will pass through at least one full night during the race — the finish cut-off is Sunday 01:00 — so a reliable headlamp with spare battery is non-negotiable. Trails in this range can include sandy, loose decomposed granite on descents, rocky technical sections, and fire road connectors; a shoe with solid underfoot protection and grip for loose terrain is the appropriate choice over maximally cushioned road-biased trainers. Check conditions in the weeks before the race — the San Bernardinos can hold late snow at elevation, and summer thunderstorms can develop rapidly over exposed ridges in the afternoon.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 2061 m · —
13 km · 1848 m · —
30.2 km · 2183 m · Fri 19:00
39.2 km · 2247 m · —
47.9 km · 2094 m · Fri 12:30
57.4 km · 2067 m · —
69.7 km · 1815 m · —
76 km · 1840 m · Sat 04:30
82.4 km · 2094 m · Fri 06:30
91.9 km · 2067 m · —
103.6 km · 2142 m · Fri 12:30
118.1 km · 2653 m · —
126.5 km · 2146 m · Fri 18:00
136.1 km · 2180 m · Fri 20:00
141.9 km · 2125 m · —
144.4 km · 2475 m · Fri 22:00
157.1 km · 2071 m · Sun 01:00
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