HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB (100K)
HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB
Big Bear Lake (The Village)
Race guide
Updated 1 July 2026
The HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB 100K is a 99 km mountain loop starting and finishing in The Village of Big Bear Lake, California, at 2073 m elevation. With 2785 m of total climbing and a high point of 3029 m, the entire race plays out at altitude — there is no descending to sea level for a breather. Four checkpoints thread through the San Bernardino highlands, routing runners through Champion at 22 km, Green Valley Lake at 45 km, and Sugarloaf 1 at 65 km before returning to Big Bear. The course demands a blend of mountain endurance, heat management, and smart pacing: the altitude is ever-present, the terrain earns every kilometre, and the finish cut-off of Day 02:00 keeps honest pressure on even experienced runners.
Course & Terrain Overview
The race launches from The Village of Big Bear Lake (2073 m) and immediately commits runners to high-elevation mountain terrain. The route climbs to Champion at 22 km and 2574 m — the highest checkpoint on course — before dropping to Green Valley Lake at 45 km (2259 m), the race's halfway pivot. The second half pushes back up through Sugarloaf 1 at 65 km (2368 m) before the long return descent to the finish. Crucially, because the entire course sits above 2000 m throughout, runners never escape the altitude tax. Expect a mix of mountain singletrack, exposed ridgeline sections, and forest trail — footing can be technical, particularly on the descents flanking the Champion climb and the Sugarloaf segment in the back half.
The Decisive Climbs and Where the Race Is Won or Lost
The climb to Champion in the first 22 km is the course's defining early test. At 2574 m it is the highest point you will visit by checkpoint, and arriving there too hard effectively ends your race before the halfway mark. The second pivotal moment comes at the Sugarloaf 1 checkpoint (65 km, 2368 m) — this is where runners who went too hard in the first 45 km begin to unravel. The stretch from Sugarloaf 1 back to The Village covers 34 km and still has meaningful elevation change; legs that are already cooked at 65 km will struggle to close. Experienced runners identify the Green Valley Lake checkpoint at 45 km as the true start of the race: anyone arriving there feeling strong and controlled is well-positioned to push the second half.
How to Pace It
The surest route to the finish line here is a patient, almost social first half. The early kilometres feel generous — the trails open up, the altitude is manageable, and the temptation is to bank time. Resist it. The deposit you make by running within yourself through the Champion climb and on to Green Valley Lake pays dividends over the final 54 km. Think of the first 45 km as an investment, not a race. From Green Valley Lake onwards, you can begin to press, trusting that controlled early effort now becomes an engine for the back half. In the closing 34 km from Sugarloaf 1, break the remaining distance into short mental segments — 'two more checkpoints and I'm home' — rather than confronting the full remaining distance at once. The course record and strong finishes here have consistently come from runners who went deliberately easy early, not hard.
Fueling & Crew Strategy
With crew access at the Start/Finish (The Village, 0 km and 99 km) and at Sugarloaf 1 (65 km), your crew plays a significant role in the second half but cannot reach you at Champion (22 km) or Green Valley Lake (45 km). That means you must carry sufficient fuel and fluid for at least the first 45 km independently. Given the sustained altitude above 2000 m, caloric burn is elevated and appetite suppression is a real risk — prioritise easy-to-digest, calorie-dense foods and test them in training at altitude if possible. Hydration needs are amplified by the dry Southern California mountain air and, depending on race-day conditions, significant heat. Plan your drop bags and crew handoffs at Sugarloaf 1 (65 km) as a full reset: fresh socks, topped nutrition, a cold drink. Arriving at that crew point with a clear plan saves minutes and mental energy when fatigue is peaking.
Conditions to Expect
Big Bear Lake sits at over 2000 m in the San Bernardino Mountains, and the conditions reflect that alpine-yet-desert character. Daytime temperatures can climb significantly, particularly in exposed sections above treeline, while nights cool sharply — the finish cut-off extends into the early hours of the following day, meaning many runners will experience both ends of the temperature spectrum. Sun exposure on ridgeline sections is intense; sunscreen, a buff, and sunglasses are not optional. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible in summer mountain conditions, so monitor forecasts and carry a light waterproof layer. The high point of 3029 m is enough to feel the altitude in your effort and recovery — runners coming from sea level should factor in acclimatisation days before race day if possible.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 2084 m · —
7.8 km · 2178 m · —
17.6 km · 2149 m · Sat 09:30
26.9 km · 3031 m · —
32.3 km · 2660 m · —
40.8 km · 2149 m · Sat 14:00
50.6 km · 2178 m · Sat 16:00
56.5 km · 2128 m · —
59.3 km · 2481 m · —
73.7 km · 2331 m · Sat 21:00
82.4 km · 2307 m · Sat 22:45
88.2 km · 2103 m · Sun 00:00
97.8 km · 2077 m · Sun 02:00
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