REVEL Big Cottonwood
Salt Lake City, USA · Mid-September
The extreme end of the downhill-BQ genre: ~1,500 m of descent down Big Cottonwood Canyon. The clock loves it; your quads will not. Downhill-specific training (and humility about the altitude start at ~2,700 m) is mandatory, and the last flat 10K is where unprepared quads file for divorce.
Course
Elevation gain
90 m
Net elevation
-1490 m
Significant net downhill — train the quads
Finishers
~2,500
Month
September
Mid-September
Race-day weather
Median start temp
4°C
Historical range
-2–12°C
Hot-year risk
Low
Freezing canyon start (bring throwaway layers), warming as you descend to the valley.
Getting in
First-come, first-served. Easy entry; buses to the mountain start leave brutally early. Official site ↗
Boston qualifying note: From the 2027 qualifying window (races after September 13, 2025), the B.A.A. adds 10:00 to qualifying times run on courses that drop 3,000–5,999 ft — which includes this one. Your effective standard here is your BQ time minus 10 minutes.
Pacing plans for REVEL Big Cottonwood
Course-adjusted splits for every common goal — not flat even splits, but pacing that matches where this course is fast and where it bites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the REVEL Big Cottonwood a fast course?
Yes — it is one of the fastest marathon courses in the world. The course drops 1490 m from start to finish with 90 m of climbing along the way. We rate it 9/10 for PR potential.
What is the weather usually like at the REVEL Big Cottonwood?
The median start-line temperature is around 4°C, with a historical range of roughly -2–12°C. Freezing canyon start (bring throwaway layers), warming as you descend to the valley.
How do you get into the REVEL Big Cottonwood?
First-come, first-served. Easy entry; buses to the mountain start leave brutally early.
Is the REVEL Big Cottonwood a Boston qualifier?
Yes — the REVEL Big Cottonwood is a certified course accepted by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying times. From the 2027 qualifying window (races after September 13, 2025), the B.A.A. adds 10:00 to qualifying times run on courses that drop 3,000–5,999 ft — which includes this one. Your effective standard here is your BQ time minus 10 minutes.