About This Race
The 21K serves as the perfect bridge between recreational trail running and serious mountain racing, offering runners a substantial taste of the San Bernardino Mountains' varied terrain without the commitment of ultra distances. This distance captures the full character of the Kodiak course experience—including notable elevation changes through multiple climate zones—while remaining accessible to runners building toward their first ultra or seeking a challenging but manageable mountain race. The half-marathon distance allows for a more aggressive pace strategy than the longer options, making it ideal for runners who want to test their mountain legs against UTMB World Series terrain while still finishing with energy to enjoy the Big Bear Lake festival atmosphere.
Practical Info
Cool mountain conditions typical of October in the San Bernardino Mountains at 7,000+ feet elevation
ONT - Ontario International Airport
Big Bear Lake offers mountain resort lodging options within walking distance of the downtown start/finish area
Best For
Notable Features
The 2026 UTMB World Series Americas Major offers double Running Stones and automatic qualification spots for 210 runners to the 2027 UTMB World Series Finals. The event serves as a dual qualifier for both UTMB and Western States Endurance Run, making it one of the most strategically valuable races in North American trail running. Set in downtown Big Bear Lake with festival atmosphere and community support throughout the weekend.