The REVEL Big Bear Marathon and Half Marathon takes place within the San Bernardino National Forest in California.
What sets this race apart is its unique course. It has a smooth downhill slope that descends through San Bernardino National Forest.
Because of the significant decline it’s an invitation for those aspiring to a Boston Qualifying time.
The Half Marathon Course Description from the Race Director
The REVEL Big Bear half marathon course offers the best of the San Bernardino Mountains, including breathtaking views of the cliffs and valleys of the San Bernardino National Forest. Runners will enjoy the fresh scent of towering Ponderosa Pines and Incense Firs, glimpses of mountain wildlife, and the charm of hidden mountain towns. If that were not enough, the course is entirely downhill on paved roadway and gives the best PR opportunity you’ll find in California!
The entire half marathon course has an elevation drop of 3,171 feet and only 10 feet of uphill! That’s an average downhill grade of 4.58%.
The half marathon begins in Forest Falls, roughly one mile above the junction of CA 38 and Valley of the Falls Dr. Standing at 4,707 ft above sea level and enveloped in a blanket of pre-dawn stars, runners will feel a world away from nearby Redlands, California. The course begins with an immediate downhill drop for the first mile as runners head west through the towering canyon walls on Valley of the Falls Dr to connect onto CA 38.
Upon reaching CA 38 runners will continue west towards the Mountain Home Village community in the shadows of San Gorgonio Mountain, the tallest peak in Southern California. The final miles take runners through the streets of Redlands, all the while continuing a strong downhill slope to the finish line at the Redlands Sports Park. Runners will get an extra boost from the 443-foot net loss in elevation in the last 3 miles alone! REVEL Big Bear is the fastest and most beautiful half marathon in California!