REVEL Big Bear Marathon

REVEL Big Bear Marathon 2026 Course Analysis

REVEL Big Bear Marathon is a full marathon held in Big Bear Lake, United States of America. It is scheduled for Sunday 6 September 2026. The course is run on trail surface with 101m of total climbing and around 1650m of descent (a net drop of roughly 1549m), with its high point near 2021m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official REVEL Big Bear Marathon website.

Elevation Profile

This is a net-downhill course: it descends roughly 1549m more than it climbs (101m of ascent against about 1650m of descent), dropping from a high point near 2021m toward 471m above sea level. Point-to-point downhill courses like this are among the fastest available for a personal best or a Boston qualifier - just be aware that sustained descending fatigues the quads late in the race, so ease off early and do some downhill running in training.

Expected Race Day Weather

Based on historical weather data for September, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Near-ideal running temperatures are expected, ranging from 5°C to 18°C. This temperature range is widely considered optimal for marathon performance, allowing efficient heat dissipation without cold-related issues. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.

Surface Type: Trail

REVEL Big Bear Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are usually slower than the road equivalent - often by 10-20% - because of uneven footing, technical sections, and frequently steeper gradients, though a smooth, non-technical or downhill trail can run faster than that suggests. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended.

Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare REVEL Big Bear Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.