HOKA KODIAK ULTRA MARATHONS BY UTMB RETURNS FOR A SECOND EDITION AS A UTMB WORLD SERIES MAJOR
For nearly 13 years, HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB® has been more than a trail running event, establishing itself as a true festival combining sporting performance, inclusion and local American culture.
Each year, California’s Big Bear Lake becomes the setting for this celebration, bringing together runners, supporters and residents to experience and share the excitement of the races, against a backdrop of local music and the many activities that the town puts on over the weekend.
For its 13th edition - its 2nd as a UTMB World Series Major in the Americas - the event returns from 8-11 October 2026, confirming its place among the leading trail running events in the United States.
Accessible to all, rooted in community
With nearly 2,700 participants expected and six race formats (10K, 20K, 50K, 100K, 100M and a kids’ race), HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB offers something for runners of all levels.
Each course, unique in its own way, invites participants to explore the full diversity of the region’s landscapes. From alpine forests and high desert to rugged canyons, the trails reveal spectacular views of Big Bear Lake and Sugarloaf Mountain, offering an immersive experience in the heart of California’s vast open spaces.
The American Major embodies a vision of trail running that is deeply rooted in its community and region: more than 74% of participants come from North America, with 61% from the United States, and 39% from California.
Committed to diversity, inclusion and women’s participation
Ensuring that everyone feels welcome on the trails is a strong commitment of the UTMB World Series, and HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB is a clear example of this in practice. With women making up 33% of participants, the event once again demonstrates its commitment to making trail running more accessible and representative, with particularly high female participation over the shorter distances – nearly 62% in the 10K and 44% in the 20K.
The event fully reflects UTMB World Series standards on equity and inclusion, with concrete measures implemented throughout the weekend. These include feminine hygiene kits available at aid stations, as well as particular attention to equitable visibility for female and male athletes across editorial content, live race broadcast and coverage of elite runners.
For the second consecutive year, the organisation is also renewing its support for the Renegade collective. Delivered in partnership with HOKA, the project supports 31 female runners from minority groups in their preparation, enabling them to take part in the various HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB races. Ten will take on the 100K and twenty-one the 50K.
A Major providing a pathway to the UTMB World Series Finals
In 2026, its status as a UTMB World Series Major gives the event a special place within the circuit. Participants will be able to collect double the amount of Running Stones compared to other UTMB World Series Events, increasing their chances in the UTMB World Series Finals lottery.
The American Major will also award 210 automatic qualification spots for the 2027 UTMB World Series Finals across the 50K, 100K and 100M categories, to age-group category winners as well as the top 10 men and top 10 women in each distance. As a UTMB World Series Major, the event also benefits from enhanced anti-doping controls, with 20 tests carried out across the 50K, 100K and 100M races
US elite athletes out in force on the local trails
In the 100M, starting from Rim Nordic Ski Area, Ryan Montgomery (USA, UTMB Index 925), third at the 2026 Western States Endurance Run, has the highest UTMB Index in the field and will therefore be one of the main names to watch.
In the women’s race, Helen Mino Faukner (USA, UTMB Index 733) will be one to follow alongside Addie Bracy (USA, UTMB Index 749) and Jaclyn Noshay (USA, UTMB Index 694). In the men’s field, Adam Loomis (USA, UTMB Index 816) and Jhon Barrera (COL, UTMB Index 807) are among the favourites.
In the 100K, starting from Big Bear Lake, Lotti Brinks (GER, UTMB Index 803), fifth at the 2026 Western States Endurance Run, will be one of the leading contenders in the women’s race. New Zealander Juliette Soule (NZL, UTMB Index 744), who is based in Colorado, and Jenna Bensko (USA, UTMB Index 740) complete the trio to watch.
In the men’s field, Stephen Kersh (USA, UTMB Index 875), Gavin Prior (USA, UTMB Index 864) and Jose Angel Fernandez Jimenez (ESP, UTMB Index 855) are among the highest-ranked runners on the start line.
In the 50K, also starting from Big Bear Lake, Abby Hall (USA, UTMB Index 808) and Anna Gibson (USA, UTMB Index 791) will be among the women to watch. Dani Moreno (USA, UTMB Index 769) will also be on the start line and could shake things up. In the men’s race, Roberto Delorenzi (SUI, UTMB Index 919), the European taking on the American field, will be one of the big names to follow. Eli Hemming (USA, UTMB Index 916) and Miquel Corbera Rubio (ESP, UTMB Index 888) complete this group of contenders.
Full elite start list here
Big Bear Lake at the heart of the action on UTMB Live
As the UTMB World Series Major in the Americas, HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB will be broadcast live internationally. The flagship 50K and 100K races will be shown on UTMB Live from Saturday 10 October at 2:45pm CET, allowing trail running fans around the world to follow the leading athletes and get close to the action.
Available free of charge on live.utmb.world, coverage will provide viewers with an immersive experience at the heart of the race, with spectacular footage of the Big Bear Lake scenery, expert commentary, key statistics and data provided by LiveTrail, plus interactive live chat and guest appearances. Viewers will be able to follow their favourite athletes live and keep up with the key moments of the competition.
Coverage will be available in French and English and distributed internationally by official UTMB World Series broadcast partners including L’Équipe Live, Eurovision Sport, FloSports, Tencent Sports, iQIYI Sports, RunYeah and DAZN.
UTMB World Series
UTMB® World Series is the trail running circuit that brings together the best athletes in the sport and amateur runners in top international events held in some of the most beautiful places on the planet. The UTMB® World Series is rooted in a passion for the mountains and respect for the environment and offers trail running enthusiasts the chance to experience the UTMB® adventure across the globe, with events taking place in Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas. This is the way for everyone to start their quest towards the HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc, where the UTMB® World Series finals take place. Launched in May 2021 with the collaboration of UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group, the UTMB® World Series circuit brings together 69 events in 35 countries.
For more information, visit utmb.world | Press Area & Photo
