2026 REVEL Big Bear Marathon - Nov 7

2026 REVEL Big Bear Marathon - Nov 7 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 REVEL Big Bear Marathon - Nov 7
CityRedlands
Date2026-11-07 at 06:00
Field Size~1,837 runners
Time Limit6 hours 33 min
Cutoff pace9:19/km
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Official SiteREVEL Race Series (Brooksee Events)

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature14.2°C / 58°F
Humidity35%
Wind15.8 km/h
Rain Chance5%
Typical ConditionsFrigid high-altitude start near freezing, warming fast into a dry, sunny valley finish

What to Prepare: The 6:00 AM start sits at 6,629 ft and can be near freezing, while the Redlands finish climbs toward the mid-70s°F (~24°C) by midday. Wear a throwaway top layer and gloves at the start line, dress for the cold descent, and shed at the early aid stations. Humidity is low (~44%) but the relentless downhill pounds your quads more than the temperature ever will.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 15.8 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 8.8°C 14.1°C 19.3°C
Dew point -9.9°C -1.7°C 6.1°C
Wet-day chance: 5% Runnability: 89/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypePoint-to-point
Elevation Gain101m
TerrainRoad (paved mountain highway)
ProfileAn aggressive net-downhill PR course: starts at 6,629 ft near Sugarloaf Mountain and drops 4,223 ft (1,287 m) net down historic California Highway 38 to the Redlands valley. It is not all downhill — the first 4 miles roll and there are small, short climbs here and there (about 332 ft / 101 m of total uphill), but it is overwhelmingly net-downhill: the last 17 miles average a 4.7% grade and the final 3 miles alone fall 443 ft. USATF certified (CA18038RS) and an official Boston qualifier with BQ-paced pacers. Net-downhill courses are great for fast times but brutal on quads, so train downhill. Note: the full marathon was cancelled in both 2024 and 2025 because of unsafe upper-mountain road conditions.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 REVEL Big Bear Marathon - Nov 7

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you register for the REVEL Big Bear Marathon?

Registration is first-come, first-served at runrevel.com — there is no lottery or published field cap. Pricing is tiered and rises as the race nears: the full marathon opens at $149 and climbs to $179 for the final window (Sep 30 – Nov 6, 2026). Teams of four or more get $5 off per person. The race is Nov 7, 2026, with a 6:00 AM start.

How much elevation does the Big Bear Marathon drop?

The course is a steep net downhill of 4,223 ft (1,287 m), starting at 6,629 ft near Sugarloaf Mountain and finishing around 2,400 ft at Redlands Sports Park. It is not entirely downhill — the first 4 miles roll and there are small, short climbs scattered along the way (about 332 ft / 101 m of total uphill) — but it is overwhelmingly net-downhill on paved road, with the last 17 miles averaging a 4.7% grade. GPS watches over-count vertical, so trust the official USATF-certified profile.

Is the Big Bear Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is USATF certified (CA18038RS) and an official Boston Marathon qualifier. REVEL even provides BQ-paced pacers for the full marathon, and the downhill profile makes it one of the higher BQ-rate races in the U.S. — roughly 40% of finishers qualified in 2023. Just remember a BQ time is a guideline; Boston entry depends on the cutoff each year.

Has the Big Bear full marathon ever been cancelled?

Yes — and recently. The full marathon was cancelled in both 2024 and 2025 because of unsafe, undrivable road conditions on the upper-mountain (top half) of the course; only the half marathon ran those years. This is a recurring, course-specific reliability risk tied to the mountain road, not a one-off. The 2026 full is confirmed and registration is open, but plan with the awareness that the upper section can be scrubbed day-of, in which case REVEL has historically offered a switch to the half plus race credit.

How hard is the Big Bear Marathon and how should I train?

It is fast but punishing on the legs. The relentless downhill lets you run a personal best, but the eccentric pounding shreds your quads if you have not trained for it. Do dedicated downhill repeats in the 8–12 weeks beforehand, start conservatively to bank energy without trashing your legs, and expect deep DOMS afterward. The high-altitude start (6,629 ft) thins quickly as you descend, so altitude is rarely the limiter — muscular durability is.

What is the time limit for the Big Bear Marathon?

The full marathon has a generous limit of about 6 hours 33 minutes (a 15:00/mile pace), with the course closing at 12:33 PM after the 6:00 AM start. Because the course is overwhelmingly downhill, most runners finish comfortably inside the cutoff even at a walk-run pace.

What should I wear for the start and the descent?

Dress in throwaway layers. The 6:00 AM mountain start at 6,629 ft can be near or below freezing, so bring an old long-sleeve, gloves, and a beanie you can toss. As you descend toward Redlands the air warms quickly into the 50s and 60s°F, so race in shorts and a singlet or tee underneath and shed the top layers at the early aid stations. Bus loading is very early (3:15–3:45 AM for the full), so pack warm clothes for the wait too.

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