Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
The REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon is a net-downhill speed course drawing approximately 2,500 finishers each September through Utah's Wasatch Mountains. Starting at Brighton Ski Resort (2,590 m) and descending Big Cottonwood Canyon to Salt Lake City, the course drops roughly 1,200 m on scenic mountain highway. September's crisp alpine morning and the fast descent make it one of America's most popular personal-best marathons.
REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September 2026 with a 6:30 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 180 m of climbing on a net downhill then mostly flat layout.
The REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon is a net-downhill point-to-point from Brighton Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon to the Salt Lake Valley, following SR-190 through Wasatch Mountain scenery with roughly 1,200 m of descent. The early high-altitude miles are the toughest because of thin air and canyon climbing, while the long downhill second half rewards aggressive pacing but punishes the quads. Crowd support concentrates at the valley finish and at organised cheer points where the canyon road meets suburban neighbourhoods.
The REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon course is net downhill then mostly flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 180 metres of climbing and 220 metres of descent, with a net descent of 40 metres from start to finish.
For the REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon, runners take shuttle buses from the finish area in the Salt Lake valley to Brighton Ski Resort at 2,590 m. Arrive early for the alpine start.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
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