Big Bear Roars Again: Runners Take On the HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB® Americas Major

Cody Poskin (USA) and Nichole Abma (CAN) earn victories in the 100-mile race; Jose Angel Fernandez Jimenez (ESP) and Lotti Brinks (GER) top the field in the 100km event

Cole Campbell (USA) and Anna Gibson (USA) earn wins in the 50km race; Joachim Cassel (GBR) and Tabor Scholl-Hemming (USA) were victorious in the 21km competition; Juan Pablo Aguilar Fontalvo (COL) and Charlotte Berrington (GBR) were victorious in the 10km competition
The HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB® returned to Big Bear Lake, California, October 8–11, just a short drive from Los Angeles. For the second consecutive year, the HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB® was designated as the UTMB World Series Americas Major, a special appointment allowing participants to earn double Running Stones toward UTMB World Series Finals qualification. Racing was broadcast live internationally, and in partnership with HOKA, the event supported 31 women runners from underrepresented groups in their preparation for the weekend. The weekend welcomed runners from around the world competing across five distances: 100-mile, 100km, 50km, 21km, and 10km. Each race traversed diverse high desert, subalpine, and semi-arid landscapes, offering runners scenic and challenging routes unique to Southern California.

“Big Bear Lake came alive this weekend as runners from around the world took to the mountains together, and from the 100-mile start to the final finishers coming home, we witnessed incredible grit across some of the most varied and beautiful terrain in Southern California. Kodiak has always been about more than the miles, though; it’s the cheers at the finish line, families enjoying the festival, local restaurants filled with runners and crews, and the dedicated volunteers who gave their time and energy to keep everyone safe and supported out on course. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s celebration of trail running and community one to remember,” said Race Director Susie Schmelzer.


On Friday, the HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB® kicked off the racing as runners took to the 100-mile course from Rim Nordic Ski Area. With a time of 16:46:21, Cody Poskin (USA) took the victory by more than 36 minutes, followed by second-place finisher Alex Proctor (USA), who completed the course in 17:23:05. Max Jolliffe (USA) came in third with a time of 18:15:45.

In the women’s race, Nichole Abma (CAN) stormed to a victory with a finishing time of 20:43:40, while fellow Canadian Madeline Wighardt (CAN) placed second with a time of 22:05:50 and Charlotte Saunders (USA) completed the course in third with a time of 22:39:31.

The four other competitions took place on Saturday, where runners tackled the 100km, 50km, 21km, and 10km courses. The 100km competition was the first race to send its competitors off, with competitive men’s and women’s fields alike. On the men’s side, Jose Angel Fernandez Jimenez (ESP) took the victory in a time of 8:33:09. Second-place finisher Gavin Prior (USA) crossed the finish line hot on Fernandez Jimenez’s heels with a time of 8:35:40, followed by Stephen Kersh (USA), who came in third with a time of 8:59:04.

The women’s 100km race was a win for Lotti Brinks (GER), fifth at the 2026 Western States Endurance Run, who completed the course in 10:15:44. Finishing second, Becca Bramley (USA) crossed the finish line in 10:25:04, followed by Lindsay Allison (USA) in 10:28:08, which earned her a third-place finish.