Prepare for an unforgettable race experience at the REVEL Big Cottonwood, taking place on September 12, 2026, in Salt Lake City, UT. This highly acclaimed event, featuring both a 26.2M marathon and a 13.1M half marathon, is renowned for its incredibly fast and strikingly beautiful downhill course, making it a prime opportunity for personal bests and Boston Marathon qualification.

The full marathon begins high in Big Cottonwood Canyon at Guardsman Pass, while half marathoners start just below the Mill D parking area. Runners are treated to spectacular scenery as the course winds through lush forests, alongside flowing streams, and past towering granite cliffs of the Wasatch Mountains. With a net elevation drop of over 5,100 feet for the full marathon and nearly 2,900 feet for the half, runners can expect exhilarating downhill stretches, though a brief uphill around mile 4 for marathoners and some flatter, rolling sections in the later miles will keep your quads engaged. Aid stations, stocked with water, Gatorade Endurance, and often gels and fruit, are conveniently located approximately every two miles along the route to keep you fueled and hydrated.

Typical race day conditions in mid-September bring comfortable lows around 59°F and highs around 84°F, with only a 5% chance of precipitation, offering excellent running weather as you descend from the cooler canyon to the finish line at Cottonwood High School in Murray. Many participants rave about the efficient organization and the supportive atmosphere, frequently achieving significant PRs. Whether you're chasing a Boston Qualifying time or simply seeking a breathtakingly scenic race, REVEL Big Cottonwood promises a memorable and speedy journey through Utah's stunning landscape.