HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB

The HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB transform Big Bear Lake into ultra-running central October 9-10, 2026, with race distances spanning 10K, 25K, 50K, 50-mile, and 100-mile courses through the San Bernardino National Forest. This is serious mountain running: the 100-miler gains over 20,000 feet of elevation as it loops through high-alpine terrain, dense pine forests, and exposed ridgelines with views stretching to the Mojave Desert. Shorter distances still pack a punch, with the 50K climbing nearly 8,000 feet and the 25K offering a taste of technical singletrack without the full suffer-fest. Registration opens in spring at $99 for the 10K and scales up to $350 for the 100-miler, with early-bird pricing that jumps in summer. Expect the 100-mile and 50-mile races to sell out first, sometimes within weeks of registration opening.

Kodiak is part of the UTMB World Series, which means you’re running alongside elite international athletes chasing qualifying points for Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in the French Alps. Aid stations are stocked UTMB-style with hot soup, electrolyte drinks, gels, and real food like quesadillas and PB&J sandwiches, staffed by volunteers who understand what it takes to keep moving at mile 60. The 100-miler starts Friday evening at 6:00 PM from Big Bear Village, while shorter distances launch Saturday morning. Weather in early October can swing wildly: expect temps from the low 30s at night to the mid-60s during the day, with a chance of rain or even early snow on the higher ridges above 8,000 feet. Pack multiple layers, headlamps with fresh batteries, and emergency gear required by race rules.

If you’re not running, spectating is half the fun. Post up at aid stations like Siberia Creek or Cougar Crest, where you can cheer runners through some of the toughest climbs on the course. The Village finish line buzzes all weekend with finishers stumbling in, some crying, some grinning, all of them wearing that thousand-yard stare that only comes from hours on the trail. After-parties at local breweries like Big Bear Lake Brewing Company (founded 2010) turn into informal storytelling sessions where runners swap war stories over IPAs and recovery pizza. Families love the 10K, which starts and finishes in daylight and keeps kids engaged with achievable goals.

For lodging, book early and look for rentals near the Village or along the North Shore on Lake.com, where you’ll have quick access to race headquarters and easy lake views for post-race recovery soaks. If you’re pacing or crewing, choose accommodations with parking and kitchen access so you can prep drop bags and fuel between aid-station runs. The weekend also includes a race expo with gear vendors, massage therapists, and nutrition brands offering samples, worth checking out Friday afternoon even if you’re just there to watch. If the race is full, volunteer opportunities open in late summer, giving you a front-row seat to the ultra community’s grit and camaraderie while earning a coveted crew shirt.