The 2023 UTMB World Series continued with the 2023 Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB on October 13-15. The 10th anniversary of the race featured over 1,300 registered runners from 40 US states and 27 countries, regions, and territories.
Runners descended on Big Bear Lake, California, to take on a race distance of 100-mile, 100K, 50K, 21K, or 10K.
The five distance options offered an opportunity to run through three different climates throughout the race. Runners started and finished in the heart of downtown Big Bear Lake and ran through high desert, sub alpine, and semi-arid climates.
The 2023 Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB is a qualifying event for the UTMB World Series Final and the Western States Endurance Run.
On Friday morning, October 13, the runners in the 100-mile distance took off from Big Bear Lake. The course featured a trek through the Siberia Canyon, over 20 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail, a summit of Sugarloaf Mountain at nearly 10,000 feet, and a cruise down Knickerbocker Road to finish back in downtown Big Bear Lake.
In addition, runners that finished in the allotted time also earned 4 UTMB Running Stones. Runners had 36 hours to complete the course that boasted over 17,000 feet of vertical gain.
Also taking place over the weekend were the 100K, 50K, 21K, and 10K distances. The 100K race offered over 10,000 feet of vertical gain, while the 50K offered runners more than 5,000 feet. The 21K race offered 5,000 feet of vertical gain and the 21K offered over 1,100 feet.
UTMB World Series continues in 2023 when the series makes its way to Mount Yun, China, for Mount Yun by UTMB on October 20th.
