Trail running course through mixed terrain in California, USA

HOKA Kodiak Ultras by UTMB 10K

10K·919 ft gain·Big Bear Lake, California

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AI-generated image

Distance10K

Gain919 ft

DateOct 9, 2026

Difficulty2/5

About This Race

The 10K offers a perfect entry point into mountain trail running, featuring the crisp alpine air and scenic beauty of Big Bear Lake with manageable elevation gain. This shorter distance allows runners to enjoy the festival atmosphere and mountain setting while experiencing quality single track terrain.

Location

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Practical Info

Weather

Cool mountain conditions typical of October in the San Bernardino Mountains at 7,000+ feet elevation

Nearest Airport

ONT - Ontario International Airport

Accommodation

Big Bear Lake offers mountain resort lodging options within walking distance of the downtown start/finish area

Best For

ultra_runnersmountain_runnersexperienced_trail_runners

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.

Other Distances at This Event

21K

The 21K course begins in Big Bear Lake village and works through terrain that showcases the San Bernardino Mountains' diversity. Runners navigate singletrack trails, fire roads, and technical sections that require attention to footing and line choice. The route's design emphasizes the natural features of the range rather than manufactured difficulty. The high-altitude start means runners begin at elevations where oxygen is noticeably thinner, a factor that affects pacing from the opening miles. Course markings follow UTMB standards, and aid stations are positioned according to World Series protocols.

50K

The course traverses the San Bernardino Mountains through terrain that ranges from maintained forest trail to exposed alpine sections. Runners encounter the full spectrum of high-altitude mountain challenges: rooted forest singletrack, rocky ridgeline, and the thin air that makes every climb more demanding. The route's mixed terrain requires variable pacing, with technical sections slowing progress and smoother fire roads offering chances to open up the stride.

100K

The route travels through the San Bernardino National Forest, linking trails that span the mountain range's climate zones. Expect transitions from high desert scrubland through mixed conifer forest to the more exposed alpine environment near Sugarloaf Mountain. The course combines singletrack trail with fire road sections, requiring comfort with both technical footing and sustained climbing over variable terrain.

100 miles

The 100-mile course navigates a point-to-point route through the San Bernardino National Forest, transitioning through multiple ecological zones as runners descend from alpine environments toward lower desert terrain. The mixed surface includes technical singletrack, fire roads, and brief paved sections, requiring runners to adapt their rhythm and effort across varied footing throughout the race. Aid station spacing and cutoff times are designed for runners capable of maintaining forward progress through both night periods, with crew access points allowing for gear changes and nutritional adjustments as conditions shift. The course's technical sections demand focus even in states of fatigue, while smoother stretches offer opportunities to bank time and settle into sustainable pacing for the hours ahead.