REVEL Big Cottonwood
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Elevation Gain
350m
Elevation Range
1580m
Avg Temperature
55°F / 13°C
Course Profile
downhill
Course Map & Elevation
Course Overview
A massive net-downhill, point-to-point course dropping 1580m from Guardsman Pass (2933m) to Cottonwood High School in Murray (1353m). The marathon begins on the pass and descends through Big Cottonwood Canyon at an average 5% grade, exiting at the canyon mouth around km 20. The final 22km run through Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, and Murray on flat valley streets. One of the most popular BQ courses in the US, but the extreme descent destroys unprepared quads.
Key Segments
Upper Canyon Descent
Terrain: Steep sustained descent from 2933m to 2436m through Big Cottonwood Canyon off Guardsman Pass. Brighton Loop at km 4, then grades of 4-6% with views of Big Cottonwood Creek through aspen and evergreen forest
Challenge: The steep grade and thin air at 2400m create a dangerous combination. The temptation to fly is overwhelming, but hammering the canyon kills your quads for the valley
Tactic: Run 6-10 sec/km faster than flat goal pace, no more. Short stride, high cadence, midfoot landing. The altitude affects you even though you are descending — do not go into oxygen debt.
Lower Canyon and S-Curve
Terrain: Continued steep descent from 1978m to 1560m. The S-Curve (km 16) is the steepest switchback section. Canyon begins to widen approaching the mouth
Challenge: The S-Curve demands careful footing. Cumulative quad damage accelerates. This is where poorly prepared runners start to feel the first signs of leg failure
Tactic: Stay controlled through the S-Curve. By km 18, your quads should still feel manageable. If they are burning already, slow down further — you have 22km left.
Canyon Mouth to Cottonwood Heights
Terrain: Grade flattens dramatically at the canyon mouth onto Wasatch Blvd, then through Cottonwood Heights and under I-215 into Holladay (1550m to 1410m)
Challenge: The sudden loss of gravitational assist feels like hitting a wall. Legs that were 'fine' in the canyon suddenly reveal their damage. Many runners walk here
Tactic: Settle into true goal pace on Wasatch Blvd. This is where the race is truly run. If your legs survive the canyon, you can BQ on this stretch.
Holladay to Midvale Finish
Terrain: Gently rolling to flat through Holladay and Murray (1410m to 1353m). Surface streets including Holladay Blvd, Van Winkle Expressway, and 5600 South
Challenge: Fatigue and valley heat. The final 10km are the hardest mentally — you are on flat terrain with destroyed quads and increasing temperature
Tactic: Break it into 5km chunks. Push from km 37 to the finish at Cottonwood High School. The crowds build in the final 3km.
Race-Specific Training
- •Train eccentric quad strength aggressively for 10-12 weeks: long downhill repeats of 5-8km at 5-8% grade, heavy eccentric squats and lunges, and weekly runs on steep sustained descents. Your quads must be bulletproof
- •Run at least one long run that simulates the canyon-to-flat transition: 15km of steep downhill followed immediately by 10km of flat running at marathon pace to experience how tired legs feel without gravitational assist
- •Acclimatize to altitude if possible — the start at 2400m affects even descending runners for the first 8-10km. Arrive in Utah 2-3 days early and spend time above 2000m
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
Start at 2933m (9624 ft), finish at 1353m (4440 ft). The thin air at the start significantly affects the first 8-10km. Altitude acclimation recommended.
Weather
September. Start temps 2-10°C (35-50°F) at the mountain top. Finish temps 15-25°C (60-78°F) in the valley. A 15-20°C temperature swing from start to finish.
Sun & Wind
The canyon provides shade in the early miles. Once you exit onto Wasatch Blvd and into the valley, full sun exposure increases. Dry mountain air and September sun in the valley make dehydration a serious risk.
What to Wear
Throwaway warm layers at the 2400m start — gloves, hat, and an old long-sleeve shirt. Dress for the valley finish underneath: light singlet and shorts. Arm sleeves for the canyon transition.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| km 0-10 | 6-10 sec/km faster than flat goal pace | Steep canyon descent. Take the free speed but do not exceed this. Respect the altitude. |
| km 10-20.5 | 6-10 sec/km faster than flat goal pace | Continued descent through S-Curve and lower canyon. Control your pace through the switchbacks. |
| km 20.5-32 | Goal pace | The canyon is done. Settle into flat marathon pace on Wasatch Blvd. This is where the race is truly run. |
| km 32-42.195 | Goal pace, push final 5km | Flat finish through Holladay to Midvale. If your quads survived, push from km 37 to the park. |
Race Day Tip
The bus ride to the Guardsman Pass start takes 45-60 minutes, and you wait in cold mountain air at 2933m for 30-60 minutes before the gun. Bring an old sleeping bag or heavy blanket, hot drinks in a thermos, and food. Most first-timers underestimate how cold and long the pre-race wait is at elevation.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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