HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB brings UTMB World Series’ essence to Big Bear Lake

From October 9–11, Big Bear Lake will take the spotlight as it hosts the HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB®, making its debut as the UTMB® World Series Major for the Americas. Part of the UTMB World Series circuit, the event celebrates athletic excellence, fosters local community spirit, and brings together everyone who shares a passion for the mountains.

Nestled at 7,000 ft (2,100 m) in California’s San Bernardino Mountains, the event transforms the region into a vibrant festival of endurance, alpine culture, and** human connection**. Over three days, runners of all levels, from the 100-mile challenge to the 100K, 50K, 21K, 10K as well as a Kids Race, experience California’s rugged trails while engaging with fellow athletes, volunteers, and the local community.

Beyond the trails, the event reflects the core values of the UTMB World Series: fostering inclusion, empowering women and underrepresented groups in trail running, and creating meaningful experiences for participants and locals alike. Trails wind through alpine forests, desert plateaus, and rocky canyons, offering breathtaking views of Big Bear Lake and Sugarloaf Mountain, while downtown comes alive with local music, food, and festivities celebrating the spirit of of Big Bear’s alpine lifestyle.

Local community and accessibility at its heart

With 75% of participants coming from the America’s, including 41% from California, the event celebrates strong local representation and community appeal, alongside international talent.

Promoting women’s participation is a core pillar of the UTMB World Series circuit, and as UTMB World Series Major for Americas, HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB bring this value to life. Women’s participation at the event continues to grow reflecting the event’s inclusive spirit and commitment to diversity and accessibility. Overall, women make up 35% of participants, with particularly strong representation on shorter distances (60% on the 10K, 46% on the 21K, 42% on the 50K) and notable engagement on longer races (29% on the 100K and 18% on the 100M).

This year, 32 women from Renegade, a Los Angeles-based trail running group, will join the races alongside elite and community athletes, further highlighting the event’s role in empowering women across all levels of the sport. An initiative supported by HOKA.

As part of this commitment, a dedicated women’s panel will take place, exploring the theme “**trails as our common ground**” and highlighting the social and connective power of trail running. Participants will include elite athletes, community runners, Renegade program participants, and weekend volunteers, sharing insights, experiences, and perspectives that celebrate the impact of women in the sport.

Amongst the stand-out participants lining up at this year’s race is Leandre Kailani, a hearing-impaired athlete with low vision, who will compete in the 100K race, not only inspiring athletes worldwide but also highlighting the event’s inclusivity and accessibility.

Raising the stakes as a UTMB World Series Major

As one of only four UTMB World Series Majors worldwide, HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB offers double Running Stones to every finisher, boosting their chances of gaining entry to the 2026 UTMB World Series Finals via the lottery. In addition, 210 runners will also earn automatic qualification for the 2026 UTMB World Series Finals, as either age-group winners across all distances or as the top 10 men and women in the 100M, 100K and 50K races.

The 100M and 100K races will also act as dual qualifiers for the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, making HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB one of the few events worldwide offering direct qualification for two of the most prestigious races in trail running.

World-class elite competition across every distance

The event’s first edition as a Major has drawn a world-class field, with high stakes and record prize money on the line. In the 100-mile race, Spain’s Claudia Tremps (UTMB Index 745), fresh off a Top 10 finish at the UTMB World Series Finals, and China’s Chen Lin (UTMB Index 753), who comes in after her victory in the 100M at The Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB® last April, will be among the standout athletes to follow. On the men’s side, Jonathan Rea (USA, UTMB Index 872) arrives as one of the strongest contenders in the field.

The 100K is shaping up to be just as competitive. France’s Guillaume Tiphene (UTMB Index 828), runner-up this year in the 100M at the Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® after his victory in the 100K in 2024, and Matt Daniels (USA, UTMB Index 890), fresh off his second-place finish in the 50K at The Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB 2025, will be among the frontrunners. On the women’s side, he’ll be joined by Riley Brady (USA, UTMB Index 788), another consistent performer ready to make an impact.

All eyes on the 50K: stars, storylines, and bold debuts

The 50K will be no less exciting. After his breakthrough victory at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, Caleb Olson (USA, UTMB Index 924) returns as the clear athlete to watch. His compatriot Eli Hemming (USA, UTMB Index 919), who placed seventh at the CCC® at the HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc this year, and Hayden Hawks (USA, UTMB Index 912), winner of the CCC® 2024, will also be in the mix. Adding an intriguing storyline, Eli will be joined on the start line by his wife, Tabor Hemming (USA, UTMB Index 749). The couple’s shared presence brings a unique dynamic to the race, heightening the anticipation around an already thrilling weekend of competition.

Additionally, the 50K will welcome some fresh faces making the jump from road racing to the trails. Among them are Makena Morley (USA, UTMB Index 719), a standout at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials; Sofie Schunk (USA, UTMB Index 607), another Trials qualifier with impressive credentials; and Ellaney Matarese (USA), a former Harvard track and field athlete. Their presence adds extra depth to the women’s field and raises curiosity about how their speed on the roads will translate to the technical demands of the trails.