A course strategy – and overall race strategy – is necessary for optimal performance on race day. Whether this is your first REVEL race, and your goal is simply to finish, or you are REVEL veteran aiming for a PR or BQ, you should have a well-planned strategy for how you intend to manage the Big Bear course!

The head coach of REVEL’s Online Coaching Program, who has run a Boston Qualifier in 28 REVEL marathons (including five times at Big Bear), has prepared a detailed description of the Big Bear Marathon and Half-Marathon courses.

Managing the Course Based on Segments

A critical component of your race strategy is the course profile itself. Where are the sharp descents? Where are the climbs? Where does the course “flatten” a bit?

You want to plan your race with course segments in mind, and with an overall strategy for varying paces throughout. Your varied paces will be dictated by the elevation losses and gains, and you want to know before the race where those variations will occur.

The Big Bear Marathon course can be divided into six sections:

Miles 1-2: The Warm Up

Miles 3-4: Slower But Steady, Get Up and Down

Miles 5-9: Rolling Downhill

Miles 10-13: Pick Up Speed

Miles 14-20: Accelerate

Miles 21-26.2: Fast Finish

Similarly, the Big Bear Half-Marathon course can be divided into three sections:

Miles 1-4: Very Fast Start

Miles 5-9: Settle In

Miles 10-13.1: Coasting In

You can study the courses yourself on the REVEL website. You can zoom in, use the interactive elevation chart, and get a feel for what lies ahead of you on race day. 

If possible, you should drive the course before race day to get a feel for what the segments look and feel like. Knowing what to expect, and when, is helpful when preparing your course strategy.

The marathon and half-marathon courses are summarized below based on the segments described above.

The Marathon Course

Miles 1-2: The Warm Up

Starting at 6,630’ elevation, the first 2 miles of the course are almost straightaway, with very gradual turns and an elevation loss of 326’ total. Overall, this opening 2-mile segment is one of the more gradual downhill segments of the entire course. You want to approach this as a nice “warm up” to the miles ahead, and you should resist the urge to chase other runners if they pass you. You want to start the race by easing into your own pace, settling in for the long haul, and letting gravity pull you along at a comfortably fast pace. You should not feel as if you are running “too hard” or “too fast.” If you do, then you should ease back a bit and aim for a “comfortably hard” pace.

Miles 3-4: Slower But Steady, Get Up and Down

Miles 3 and 4 of the course are a series of up and down sections that, overall, result in -38’ of elevation for the 2-mile leg. After the opening “Warm Up” section that is mostly downhill, you almost certainly will be aware of your pace slowing and your level of effort increasing on the climbs here. This is where you will run slightly slower than your first two miles, but still can maintain a steady level of effort as you work your way uphill and downhill for two miles.

This is a segment where you really do not want to concern yourself with runners passing you on climbs. It is easy in a race to get caught up with the pace of other runners. You still have many miles to go, and you want to conserve your energy for the miles ahead. With that in mind, pay attention to your own level of effort: if you feel yourself working too hard on the climbs, then simply lower your effort level.

Miles 5-9: Rolling Downhill

This is where you will begin to build speed. As you pass mile 4, you will begin a series of small rolling hills that, overall, lose 502’ of elevation. You will encounter small, short climbs here and there during this section, but they are minor in comparison to the overall elevation loss.

If you are tracking your splits every mile or every few miles at marked intervals, don’t be surprised to see that you are running slightly ahead of your goal pace on the downhills. This is where gravity is your friend, and the downhill profile of the marathon course will benefit you significantly.

At the same time, be wary of a sensation of “running too fast” downhill. If you feel out of control, or if you feel yourself working “too hard” while running downhill, then lower your level of effort. But be mindful that it is expected for you to be ahead of goal pace during these downhill segments of the race.

Likewise, don’t push yourself on the climbs. They are short, and you gain very little by increasing your level of effort to sustain a faster pace while climbing. Once you get past this section, the course starts to get much faster, and you want to conserve your energy for the speedy downhill sections ahead.

Miles 10-13: Pick Up Speed

This is where you will start to really gain speed running downhill.

If you have “held back” your downhill speed for the first 9 miles, while managing the minor climbs along the way, you should expect to be very close to your goal splits up to this part of the race, and probably slightly behind (slower than) your target splits. Your legs should feel strong, warmed-up, and ready for the supremely fast latter half of the race.

Just past mile 9, the course begins steadily dropping mile after mile. For the first time since mile 1, you will start to see elevation losses well more than 200’ per mile. Start turning on the speed here, but don’t get too enthusiastic just yet. As you approach the second half of the course, think of these “last 4 of the first half” as an appetizer for the main menu ahead.

Miles 14-20: Accelerate

The REVEL Big Bear Marathon course will give you an opportunity to start “turning on the speed” at the halfway mark. The elevation at mile 13 is 4,770’. By mile 20, where the elevation is 2,658’, you will have lost over 2,100’ in a 7-mile stretch. That is an average of more than 300’ per mile. More importantly, there are no noticeable climbs anywhere in this stretch. It is one long, sustained, fast downhill section. 

This 7-mile section is where your race is made. Instead of the usual “struggle” to maintain pace in the third quarter of a marathon, miles 14-20 of Big Bear are where you will find yourself running faster than expected. Keep churning out the miles with a sense of free-flowing, efficient, downhill speed. By the time you get to mile 20, you can expect to be right on your target split, if not well ahead of it.

Miles 21-26.2: Fast Finish

The last 10K of the marathon course is a continuation of the long, sustained downhill section that began way back at mile 13. Even better, the downhill in the closing 6.2 miles is less severe than the earlier segments, which is easier on tired legs. The final 6.2 miles of the course lose 1,114’, or an average of roughly 180’ per mile. This is a comfortable downhill section, and you should be able to sustain your goal pace throughout the final 10K.

Summary of the Marathon Course

The Big Bear Marathon course loses almost a mile of elevation from start to finish. Over the 26.2-mile course, you likely will surprise yourself with your speed on the downhill segments. Although it is generally true that you never want to run “too fast" at any point in a marathon, remember that gravity is your friend, and you want to take advantage of the benefits of downhill running. Still, hold back until mile 9, manage the short climbs up to that point, and then start accelerating into the second half of the course. Keep in mind that even splits (or negative splits) are highly likely on a course like Big Bear. In other words, expect your second half to be faster than your first half! The key to success will be your ability to accelerate from miles 13 to 20, and then hold on at goal pace (if not faster) for the final 10K.

The Half-Marathon Course

Miles 1-4: Very Fast Start

Starting at just over 4700’ elevation, the half-marathon course drops 1,287’ total from the start to mile 4. That is an average of 322' per mile, which is a significant drop. 

You will need to resist the urge to chase people if they pass you. Although you want to take advantage of gravity throughout this course by running “comfortably fast” on the downhills, you need to manage the early downhill drops by easing into your pace, settling in for the long haul, and letting gravity pull you along. You should not feel as if you are running “too hard” or “too fast.”  If you do, then you should ease back a bit and aim for a “comfortably hard” pace.

Miles 5-9: Settle In

Overall, you will drop nearly 1,240' in miles 5-9. That is an average of 248’ per mile, which is remarkable. Compared to the noticeably fast – and steep – downhill miles from the start to mile 4, this section is a much more “comfortable” downhill.

This is the section where you can really settle into your race pace. The downhills are less sharp than the opening segment, and all of them lose more than 200’ per mile. At the same time, be wary of a sensation of “running too fast.” If you feel out of control, or if you feel yourself working “too hard” while running downhill, then lower your level of effort. If you are tracking your splits every mile or every few miles at marked intervals, don’t be surprised to see that you are running well ahead of your goal pace.

Miles 10-13.1: Coasting In

Remember that the opening 4-mile segment loses more than 320’ per mile, and the second 5-mile segment loses 248’ per mile. This final segment loses an average of about 160’ per mile. This is still a significant drop per mile, but it is much more gradual than the earlier miles.

As the course begins to descend more gradually, you might notice that your pace is beginning to slow. Pay close attention to your own level of effort. Whatever level of effort you feel on the opening downhill segments is your benchmark; duplicate that level of effort on the less downhill miles, but do not go harder. Pay attention to your breathing and heart rate. If you feel yourself working too hard, then simply ease your effort level. You should be coasting in for the final miles.

Summary of the Half-Marathon Course

The Big Bear Half-Marathon course loses nearly 3,200' of elevation from start to finish. That's an average of more than 240' per mile, making this one of the fastest half-marathon courses you will ever run. Over the 13.1-mile course, you likely will surprise yourself with your speed on the downhill segments.

Paul Carmona, the Coach for the REVEL Online Coaching Program, has designed training plans specifically for downhill courses for more than 16 years. He is a 14-time Boston Marathon finisher and has run a total of 84 marathons, including 33 REVEL marathons. His BQ streak stands at 24 successful BQ efforts in a row at REVEL marathons.

There’s nothing quite like running high in the mountains or in a high-altide towns in Colorado. But you’re coming from sea level, the low oxygen can be a completely new challenge. Don’t worry--here are the best tips to help you prepare.

High Altitude Training: The Only 8 Tips You’ll Ever Need 

• Start hydrating before you workout 

At higher altitudes, your body works harder to maintain normal functions. It works even hard when you exercise. This means that you need more water to stay hydrated. 

To stay hydrated, start increasing your water intake before your start the workout. Ideally, increase the water intake as soon as you start going up in altitude and keep it going. 

• Drink more during your workout 

When you get to the workout, bring an extra soft flask or two than you normally would, and remember to sip more regularly! Your mind and body will thank you. 

• Eat more carbs, if you can

As we mentioned, your body’s working harder just to do what it normally does. Training puts additional strain on it, which means you can use a few extra carbs. 

Keep in mind that some people experience more difficulty eating at high altitudes, so if you’re having trouble with your stomach, reach for easy-to-digest carb sources like MUIR Energy Fast Burning gels that are easy on the stomach and give you  the boost your body needs. 

• Expect a slower pace 

Training at higher altitude means less oxygen for your muscles. This means a 9:00min per mile at 7,000 feet is going to feel way more difficult than at sea level.  This is because your body has less oxygen to fire your muscles and shuttle away lactic acid, the stuff that builds up and your legs feel like lead. 

The solution is easy: just adjust your workout by adding some time to your pacing. 

• If you start feeling dioriented, get lower

When you’re not acclimated to higher altitudes, altitude sickness can be mild  but it can also become severe. If things are feeling more difficult than usual, that’s totally normal. But when you’re head starts to feel it, you should start paying close attention to your body and consider getting lower. 

Acute Mountain Sickness: feels like a hangover. You may feel dizzy, get a headache, and/or nauseous. This is the not the most serious, but it can develop into…

High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema:  generally feeling of weakness, a persistent cough that may include a frothy white or pink liquid, and/or a blue hue to lips or body. This is very serious and can take days to recovery from. If you experience these symptoms, you need to decend. You may need to seek additional oxygen as well as professional medical care. 

• Take more time to recover

Less oxygen also means slower recovery time. Your body needs oxygen to repair the stress from working out, and less of it just means you’re going to recover more slowly. So take more time between reps, another day between hard efforts, or more if you need it. Altitude is hard on your body! 

• Try to sleep as low as you can

High altitude can get in the way of high quality sleep. While sleep is essential to recovering from training, low oxygen at high altitude can affect your brain’s ability to properly regulate a deep, restful night’s sleep for quality recovery. 

If it’s possible, try to sleep as low in altitude as you can to get the best recovery possible. 

• Reach for ginger if your stomach starts to feel woozy

Higher stress on the body from lack of oxygen means less energy to digestion. So, take an extra precaution or two by packing a ginger chew to help ease stomach troubles, or your go-to gut-easing trick. 

A course strategy – and overall race strategy – is necessary for optimal performance on race day. Whether this is your first REVEL Rockies race, and your goal is simply to finish, or you are veteran aiming for a PR or BQ, you should have a well-planned strategy for how you intend to manage the course!

The head coach of REVEL’s Online Coaching Program, who has run a Boston Qualifying time in all the REVEL marathons, including four times at the REVEL Rockies Marathon, has prepared a detailed description of the 2024 Rockies Marathon and Half-Marathon courses.

Managing the Course Based on Segments

A critical component of your strategy is the course profile itself. Where are the sharp descents? Where are the climbs? Where does the course “flatten” a bit?

You want to plan your race with course segments in mind, and with an overall strategy for varying paces throughout. Your varied paces will be dictated by the elevation losses and gains, and you want to know before the race where those variations will occur.

Generally, the REVEL Rockies Marathon course can be divided into five sections:

Miles 1-13:  Fast Half (with 4 subsections)

Miles 14-16: Evergreen Rollers 

Miles 17-20: Steady Drop

Miles 21-22: Flatten Out

Miles 23-26.2: Fast Finish

Similarly, the Revel Rockies Half-Marathon course can be divided into four similar sections:

Miles 1-3: Evergreen Rollers

Miles 4-7: Steady Drop

Miles 8-9: Flatten Out

Miles 10-13.1: Fast Finish

You can study the courses yourself on the REVEL website. You can zoom in, use the interactive elevation chart, and get a feel for what lies ahead of you on race day. 

If possible, you should drive the course before race day to get a feel for what the segments look and feel like. Knowing what to expect, and when, is helpful when preparing your course strategy.

The marathon and half-marathon courses are summarized below based on the segments described above.

THE MARATHON COURSE

Miles 1-13:  Fast Half

Starting at over 10,500' elevation, the first half of the marathon loses nearly 3,000' of elevation, with minimal climbing over that entire first half. The average loss per mile is 227', which is a 4.3% downhill grade. Be wary of a sensation of “running too hard” in this entire stretch of the race. If you feel out of control, or if you feel yourself working “too hard” while running downhill, then lower your level of effort.

Generally, it is never a good idea to divide a marathon into "first half/second half" for strategy purposes. The best way to break down the first half of the course is to think of it in 4 subsections:

Miles 1-5, which lose over 1,300' and gain less than 20' overall. In this section, the downhills are sharp at times, and you will want to take advantage of gravity by letting yourself move comfortably fast. Each of these first five miles drops well over 200' per mile, and the only climb - which is minor - is in the first mile. After you pass mile 1, the next 4 miles each drop 250' or more and gain zero.

Mile 6, which flattens out slightly, with a net loss of only 140' while gaining about 15' along the way. After the early miles of higher elevation, you will find it slightly easier to breathe, but you can expect a mild slowdown due to the lesser amount of elevation loss.

Miles 7-11, where the elevation loss is similar to the first 5 miles but have almost no gain at all. The course drops over 1,100' over these 5 miles and gains zero. Like the opening 5 miles, this section is where you will want to take advantage of gravity and let your pace accelerate to the "comfortably fast" edge of your ability.

Miles 12-13, where you will have turned off Squaw Pass Road onto Evergreen Parkway. Here, you will encounter short, gradual climbs. You will climb a little more than 30' here, which is more in these two miles than you had in the entire first 11 miles of the course. Although you will still be running downhill, the elevation loss of 364' in this 2-mile section, paired with the short bit of climbing, will feel slower than the opening 11 miles. It won't be your imagination: the course will feel slower here.

Miles 14-16: Evergreen Rollers

Just past the start of the half-marathon, the course continues on Evergreen Parkway and gradually rolls through miles 14 and 15, then turns onto Douglas Park Road and Meadow Drive as you approach mile 16. Over this 3-mile segment, the course drops approximately 500'. The challenge is the climbing, which will be visible as you run on Evergreen Parkway. Remind yourself that overall, you are still running downhill. The net elevation loss over these 3 miles is about 500 feet!

Miles 17-20: Steady Drop

Not long after you pass mile 16, you will make a hard left turn onto Bear Creek Road. Here, miles 17 to 20 each drop between 80' and 123' per mile. These are much more gradual drops that what you encountered in the first 13 miles and are also less than the elevation loss on Evergreen Parkway in miles 14-16. This is where you want your pace to be steady and even, mimicking the steady, gradual downhill.

Miles 21-22: Flatten Out

Make no mistake: this is where it gets tough for a short bit. Miles 21 and 22 together lose a total of just over 120' of elevation. Compared to the early miles of steady downhill at more than 4% elevation loss, you will notice how in miles 21-22, with a 1.2% downhill grade, it is harder to hold your pace. Moreover, the climbs that do appear in miles 21 and 22 might slow your pace noticeably. But don’t panic if you find your pace slowing in this segment. You don’t want to “push” yourself to try matching the fast pace that you held in the more downhill miles preceding miles 21-22.

Miles 23-26.2: Fast Finish

Once you reach mile 22, you can say to yourself "now downhill to the finish!" Even better, the downhill in the closing 4.2 miles is roughly 750’. That is over 178' per mile, or approximately a 3.4% elevation loss. You should find yourself able to resume some of the faster paces that you were able to run in the first half of the race.

One word of warning: there is a short 20-foot climb at the very end of the course as you turn onto Bear Creek Avenue and Union Avenue. It is literally within the last .10 mile, but hopefully at that point you will be glad to see the finish line ahead of you and won’t notice the short climb as the crowds cheer you on.

Summary of the Marathon Course

The REVEL Rockies Marathon course loses over 4,700’ of elevation from start to finish. Over the 26.2-mile course, you likely will surprise yourself with your speed on the downhill segments. Although it is true that you never want to "go out too fast" in the opening miles of a marathon, remember that gravity is your friend, and you want to take advantage of the benefits of downhill running.

THE HALF-MARATHON COURSE

Miles 1-3: Evergreen Rollers

Starting at 7,510’ of elevation, the course drops more than 470’ total from the start to mile 3. You will encounter a few gradual climbs in these opening miles, but nothing too severe. What you want to do at this early stage of the race is take advantage of the downhills, take it easy on the uphills. The downhill is noticeable but comfortable – not too steep, but just enough to let your legs turn over quickly. At the same time, be wary of a sensation of “running too hard.” If you feel out of control, or if you feel yourself working “too hard” while running downhill, then lower your level of effort. But be mindful that it is expected for you to be ahead of goal pace at times during the downhill segments. Meanwhile, don’t push your pace on the gradual climbs. Remind yourself that overall, you are still running downhill, and that the net elevation loss over these 3 miles is nearly 500 feet!

Miles 4-7: Steady Drop

Not long after you pass mile 3, you will make a hard left turn onto Bear Creek Road. Here, miles 4 to 7 each drop between about 64' and 105' per mile. These are more gradual drops than what you encountered on Evergreen Parkway in miles 1-3. There are no steep, fast drops, but also no hard climbs. As the course gradually drops, you want to maintain a steady level of effort to hold your pace.

Miles 8-9: Flatten Out

Make no mistake: this is where it gets tough for a short bit. Miles 8 and 9 together lose a total of just under 150' of elevation. Moreover, the climbs that do appear in miles 8 and 9 might slow your pace noticeably. But don’t panic if you find your pace slowing in this segment. You don’t want to “push” yourself to try matching the fast pace that you held in the more downhill miles preceding miles 8-9.

Miles 10-13.1: Fast Finish

Once you reach mile 9, you can say to yourself "now downhill to the finish!" Even better, the downhill in the closing 4.1 miles is steady and gradual, dropping 725’. That is more than 176' per mile, or approximately a 3.3% elevation loss. You should find yourself able to resume or exceed some of the faster paces that you were able to run in the earlier miles of the race.

One word of warning: there is a short 20-foot climb at the very end of the course as you turn onto Bear Creek Avenue and Union Avenue. It is literally within the last .10 mile, but hopefully at that point you will be glad to see the finish line ahead of you and won’t notice the short climb as the crowds cheer you on.

Summary of the Half-Marathon Course

The REVEL Rockies Half-Marathon course loses over 1,700' of elevation from start to finish. With an average loss of around 130' per mile, this is one of the fastest half-marathon courses you will ever run. Over the 13.1-mile course, you likely will surprise yourself with your speed on the downhill segments.Paul Carmona is the Online REVEL Coach who has designed training plans specifically for REVEL downhill courses. He is a 32-time REVEL marathon finisher and has run multiple Boston Qualifiers on every REVEL course. His streak stands at 24 successful BQ efforts in a row at REVEL marathons.

A course strategy – and overall race strategy – is necessary for optimal performance on race day. Whether this is your first REVEL White Mountains race, and your goal is simply to finish, or you are veteran aiming for a PR or BQ, you should have a well-planned strategy for how you intend to manage the course.

The head coach of REVEL’s Online Coaching Program, who has run a Boston Qualifying time in all the REVEL marathons, has prepared a detailed description of the 2024 White Mountains Marathon and Half- Marathon courses.

Managing the Course Based on Segments

A critical component of your strategy is the course profile itself. Where are the sharp descents? Where are the climbs? Where does the course “flatten” a bit?

You want to plan your race with course segments in mind, and with an overall strategy for varying paces throughout. Your varied paces will be dictated by the elevation losses and gains, and you want to know before the race where those variations will occur.

The White Mountains Marathon course can be divided into five sections:
Miles 1-5: Fast Start
Miles 6-9: Noticeable Slowdown
Miles 10-15: Out and Back 10K
Miles 16-20: Gradual Downhill
Miles 21-F: Rolling 10K
The White Mountains Half-Marathon course can be divided into three similar sections:
Miles 1-2: Flat, Easy Warm-Up
Miles 3-7: Steady Downhill
Miles 8-F: Rolling 10K

You can study the courses yourself on the REVEL website. You can zoom in, use the interactive elevation chart, and get a feel for what lies ahead of you on race day.

If possible, you should drive the course before race day to get a feel for what the segments look and feel like. Knowing what to expect, and when, is helpful when preparing your course strategy. The marathon and half-marathon courses are summarized below based on the segments described above.

THE MARATHON COURSE

Miles 1-5: Fast Start

Starting at 2,818’ of elevation, the start of the marathon is at the CL Graham Wangan Overlook on the Kancamagus Highway. This opening 5-mile segment, which is almost entirely downhill, will be the fastest of the day, but take your time getting into a steady, efficient, and fast downhill pace. After you warm up for the first half-mile or so, you will gradually build to your goal race pace and faster. Overall, you will lose more than 1,400’ of elevation up to mile 5. Manage the notable drops by easing into your pace, settling in for the long haul, and letting gravity pull you along at a comfortably fast pace.

Miles 6-9: Noticeable Slowdown

Just before the 5-mile mark, you will notice that the marked elevation loss in the opening segment quickly comes to an end. Overall, the next 4-mile segment from mile 5 to mile 9 loses only 160’ of elevation. The elevation loss per mile drops significantly, and it is expected that you will run slower here. Also, there are some minor climbs in this section. Overall, you should still be able to sustain your goal pace per mile through these 4 miles, but you will need to be patient and accept the relatively slower paces.

Miles 10-15: Out and Back 10K

After you pass mile 9, the course flattens noticeably. Around mile 9.6, you will turn left onto Bear Notch Road and begin the 4-mile out-and-back that will slow you down markedly (2 miles out, 2 miles back). The “out” part of this section climbs 234’ over roughly 2 miles, which is a grade of 2.2%. It is a gradual, steady climb all the way to the turnaround at mile 11.6. After the turnaround, the course maintains a flat profile for about a half mile before you start to descend the 234’ towards the start of the out-and-back. When you get back onto the Kancamagus Highway, you will be at mile 13.5. The next 1.5 miles, up
to the mile 15 marker, is essentially flat.

Miles 16-20: Gradual Downhill

After mile 15, the course begins to descend gradually again, with an overall downhill grade of 1.4. After the challenging climb on the out-and-back, the total elevation loss of 378’ in miles 16-20 will be comfortable on fatigued legs. You can expect to run your goal pace throughout, with occasional accelerations on the more downhill segments.

Miles 21-F: Rolling 10K

The final 10k loses a total of almost 400’ for an average 1.2% downhill grade. As the name of this section implies, it is a rolling downhill. Although none of the few climbs are more than about 10’, the late-race fatigue that typically sets in at this point of a marathon will make those short climbs more challenging, and the flatter terrain will feel like climbing even when it is slightly downhill or flat.

Summary of the Marathon Course
The REVEL White Mountains Marathon course loses more than 2,350’ of elevation from start to finish. Over the 26.2-mile course, you likely will surprise yourself with your "faster than normal" pace on the downhill segments. Although it is true that you never want to "out too fast" in the opening miles of a marathon, remember that gravity is your friend, and you want to take advantage of the benefits of downhill running. It makes sense to run as fast as you can comfortably run on the downhills, build yourself a "cushion" of time to account for the elevation gains on the course, and start the race with an expectation that you will (1) be ahead of schedule for the opening miles, (2) slow down on the climbs and flatter portions of the out-and-back, (3) rebuild a slight time cushion in miles 16-20, and (4) use the time-cushion in the rolling downhill final 10K.

THE HALF-MARATHON COURSE

Miles 1-2: Flat, Easy Warm-Up

Starting at over 1,200’ of elevation, the course is essentially flat for the first two miles. There are a couple of short, steep climbs in the first half-mile of the race, but overall the opening mile loses 6’ of elevation. The second mile is a long, gradual climb. You will gain 12’ over this mile, but there are no steep hills like the short ones you encountered in the first mile. This opening segment should be your warm up for the day, so you want to keep your running relaxed and right at your goal pace effort.

Miles 3-7: Steady Downhill

Just past mile 2, the course begins to descend noticeably for the first time. Miles 3-7 lose a total of 385’, which is a comfortable -1.5% grade. This is where you should be able to build a small “cushion” for the closing miles of the race. You won’t see remarkably fast splits each mile, but generally, you should find it relatively easy to run slightly faster than your goal pace for most of this segment. At the same time, be wary of a sensation of “running too fast.” If you feel out of control, or if you feel yourself working “too hard” while running downhill, then lower your level of effort. But be mindful that it is expected for you to be ahead of goal pace during this downhill segment of the race.

Miles 8-F: Rolling 10K

The final 6.1 miles (technically not quite 10K, but close) of the course continues the gradual downhill to the finish, losing 390’ overall. As the name of this section implies, it is a rolling downhill. Although none of the few climbs are more than about 10’, you can expect your pace to slow a bit in this segment. Don’t “push” yourself to try matching the faster paces that you held in the more downhill miles earlier in the race. If anything, you should just try to hit your overall goal pace, if not slightly slower.

Summary of the Half-Marathon Course

The REVEL White Mountains Half-Marathon course loses more than 760' of elevation from start to
finish. That's an average of almost 60' per mile over the 13.1-mile course, and you will surprise yourself with your "faster than norma" pace on the downhill segments. Your varied paces will be dictated by the elevation losses and gains, and you want to run as fast as you can comfortably run on the downhills to build yourself a "cushion" of time to account for the elevation gains on the course.

Paul Carmona is the Online REVEL Coach who has designed training plans specifically for REVEL downhill courses. He is a 31-time REVEL marathon finisher and has run multiple Boston Qualifiers on every REVEL course. His streak stands at 24 successful BQ efforts in a row at REVEL marathons.

By Paul Carmona, REVEL Online Coach

A course strategy – and overall race strategy – is necessary for optimal performance on race day. Whether this is your first REVEL Mt Charleston race, and your goal is simply to finish, or you are veteran aiming for a PR or BQ, you should have a well-planned strategy for how you intend to manage the course.

The head coach of REVEL’s Online Coaching Program, who has run a Boston Qualifying time in all the REVEL marathons, including five times at the REVEL Mt Charleston Marathon, has prepared a detailed description of the 2024 Mt Charleston Marathon and Half-Marathon courses.

Managing the Course Based on Segments
A critical component of your strategy is the course profile itself. Where are the sharp descents? Where are the climbs? Where does the course “flatten” a bit? You want to plan your race with course segments in mind, and with an overall strategy for varying paces throughout. Your varied paces will be dictated by the elevation losses and gains, and you want to know before the race where those variations will occur.

The Mt Charleston Marathon course can be divided into seven sections:
Mile 1: Warm Up
Miles 2-4: Swift Downhill
Mile 5: Tiny Loop (with two short climbs)
Miles 6-21: Steady and Fast
Miles 22-23: Flatten Out
Mile 24: Get Past This Short Climb
Miles 25-26.2: Pick It Up for the Finish
The Mt Charleston Half-Marathon course can be divided into four similar sections:
Miles 1-8: Swift Downhill
Miles 9-10: Flatten Out
Mile 11: Get Past This Short Climb
Miles 12-13.1: Pick It Up for the Finish
You can study the courses yourself on the REVEL website. You can zoom in, use the interactive elevation chart, and get a feel for what lies ahead of you on race day. If possible, you should drive the course before race day to get a feel for what the segments look and feel like. Knowing what to expect, and when, is helpful when preparing your course strategy. The marathon and half-marathon courses are summarized below based on the segments described
above.

THE MARATHON COURSE
Mile 1: Warm Up
Starting at almost 7,600’ elevation, the start of the marathon is near the Mt Charleston Lodge on Kyle Canyon Road. The first 1/10 mile is around a small hook shape on the road adjacent to the Lodge, and it is extremely narrow with a short climb. Once you make the turn on that loop, you will be heading back toward the staging area. Then, after you pass the Lodge, the next 1/4-mile climbs almost 60’ as you exit the starting area. This should be just a nice easy warm-up for you. Start out nice and slow and conserve your energy. After you get past this first half-mile, the rest of mile 1 descends about 100' with zero climbing.
Miles 2-4: Swift Downhill
After the mile 1 marker, the next 3 miles drop well over 770’ total, with an average of 4.6% downhill grade and no climbing until the last 1/10 mile before the 4-mile marker. This is a segment where you do not want to get caught up with the pace of other runners if they are passing you. You still have many miles to go, and you want to conserve your energy for the miles ahead. If you feel yourself working too hard, then simply slow down.
Mile 5: Tiny Loop (with two short climbs)
As you approach mile 4, there is a climb of about 40’ as you approach The Mt Charleston Resort on your right. Once you pass the Resort, this short climb is over. Not long after that, just before mile 5, you will reach a roundabout (traffic circle) at the entrance to the United States Forest Service’s Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway. At this point, the course diverts from the main road – Kyle Canyon Road – into the visitor center parking lot. You will make a counterclockwise loop around the parking lot before re-entering the main road again.
The loop around the visitor center begins at mile 4.85 of the marathon. It ends at mile 5.2, so the total distance around the parking area is only about 1/3 mile. However, you will climb about 35’ for the first half of that loop, and then descend the same elevation as you exit the parking lot.
Miles 6-21: Steady and Fast
When you exit the visitor center parking area, you will be at roughly 6,600’ of elevation. For the next 16 miles, you will lose more than 3,700’ of elevation. That’s an average of about 4.4% elevation loss per mile, which is what makes this course so extremely fast. More importantly, there is only one climb in that entire stretch, and it happens about mile 12.5. That one is a short but very visible climb that is over quickly: the entire climb is only about 1/8 of a mile long. Be wary of a sensation of “running too fast” in this entire stretch of the race. If you feel out of control, or if you feel yourself working “too hard” while
running downhill, then lower your level of effort.
Miles 22-23: Flatten Out
Just past mile 21, you will make a right turn onto the frontage road along U.S. 95. After the previous 16 miles of steady downhill, you will certainly feel how the 4% downhill grade quickly becomes a 2% downhill grade. Keep in mind that you will still lose about 226’ of elevation in this stretch of the race, with no elevation gain. However, the flatter terrain will make it feel like climbing.
Mile 24: Get Past This Short Climb
As you approach mile 23.2, with only three miles to go, you will make a right turn onto Grand Teton Drive. The elevation at that turn is 2,659’. Then you will run a short - but steep - climb to Fort Apache Road, where you will turn left. From that turn onto Fort Apache, it is just over a half-mile to “top out” a slow climb to mile 23.95, where the elevation is 2,690’. After that, the course begins the gradual descent to the finish.
Miles 25-26.2: Pick It Up for the Finish
Once you reach mile 24, you can say to yourself "now downhill to the finish" The elevation loss from mile 24 to the finish is over 170’ – a nice downhill for your final 2.2 miles! Better yet, you will encounter terrific crowds who will cheer you towards the finish line of the fast and beautiful Mt Charleston Marathon!
Summary of the Marathon Course
The Mt Charleston Marathon course loses almost 5,100’ of elevation from start to finish. Over the 26.2-mile course, you likely will surprise yourself with your speed on the downhill segments. Although it is true that you never want to "go out too fast" in the opening miles of a marathon, remember that gravity is your friend, and you want to take advantage of the benefits of downhill running.

THE HALF-MARATHON COURSE
Miles 1-8: Swift Downhill
Starting at over 4,500’ of elevation, the course drops 1,660’ from the start to mile 8, with zero elevation gain in that stretch. That is an average of more than 200' per mile, which is a significant but manageable descent each mile. You will want to manage the early part of this downhill segment by easing into your pace, settling in for the long haul, and letting gravity pull you along at a comfortably fast pace. You should not feel as if you are running “too hard” or “too fast.” If you do, then you should ease back a bit and aim for a “comfortably hard” pace.
Miles 9-10: Flatten Out
Just past mile 8, you will make a right turn onto the frontage road along U.S. 95. After more than 8 miles of steady downhill, you will certainly feel how the 4% downhill grade quickly becomes a 2% downhill grade. Keep in mind that you will still lose about 200’ of elevation in this stretch of the race, with no elevation gain. However, the flatter terrain will make it feel like climbing.
Mile 11: Get Past This Short Climb
Just past mile 10, with about 3 miles to go, you will make a right turn onto Grand Teton Drive. The elevation at that turn is 2,659’. Then you will run a short - but steep - climb to Fort Apache Road, where you will turn left. From that turn onto Fort Apache, it is just over a half-mile to “top out” a slow climb to mile 10.8, where the elevation is 2,690’. After that, the course begins the gradual descent to the finish.
Miles 12-13.1: Pick It Up for the Finish
Once you reach mile 11, you can say to yourself "now downhill to the finish" The elevation loss from mile 11 to the finish is over 170’ – a nice downhill for your final 2.1 miles! Better yet, you will encounter terrific crowds who will cheer you towards the finish line of the fast and beautiful Mt Charleston Half-Marathon!
Summary of the Half-Marathon Course
The Mt Charleston Half-Marathon course loses more than 2,000’ of elevation from start to finish. With an average loss of more than 150’ per mile, this is one of the fastest half-marathon courses you will ever run. Over the 13.1-mile course, you likely will surprise yourself with your speed on the downhill segments.

Paul Carmona is the Online REVEL Coach who has designed training plans specifically for REVEL downhill courses. He is a 31-time REVEL marathon finisher and has run multiple Boston Qualifiers on every REVEL course. His streak stands at 24 successful BQ efforts in a row at REVEL marathons.

 IMPORTANT UPDATE: EVENT CANCELLED

Due to weather conditions in the area exacerbating to a dangerous level, with winds at 45mph and a wind chill of 12 degrees, tomorrow's REVEL Mt Diablo Half Marathon has been canceled. 

We are very sorry to not be able to produce this race as planned. Our crew and partners have been working around the clock to bring this event to life, but it is no longer possible under the current conditions brought on by the blizzard in the Sierra Nevada.

We have been closely monitoring the weather and working closely with Mount Diablo State Park officials, and this decision has been made with our runner safety as our number one priority. 

All participants will receive deferral credit for the amount equal to the value that was paid. Instructions will follow on how to redeem your credit at one of our other 8 events within the next 7 days. 

We thank you for your understanding and look forward to seeing you at a future event.

- REVEL Mt Diablo Team