Join us on our Facebook Page on Tuesday, August 9 for your chance to win one of fifteen promo codes for $10 off your next online Papa John's order.
Good luck, and thank you to Papa John's for providing the pizza party at the finish line!
August 2016
REVEL Big Cottonwood Course GuideA course strategy – and overall race strategy – is a must for optimal performance on race day. Whether this is your first REVEL Big Cottonwood race and your goal is simply to finish, or you are Big Cottonwood 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 Qualifier in all of the REVEL marathons, has prepared a detailed description of the Big Cottonwood Marathon and Half-Marathon courses. |
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Price Increases Next Week for REVEL Big CottonwoodREVEL Big Cottonwood in Salt Lake City has a price increase coming next week! Prices will increase at midnight on August 9. Save $10 by registering now! |
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Can’t Race This Time? No problem!How many times have you signed up for a race, only to be sidelined due to scheduling conflicts, injury, or other issues that required you to miss the race? Chances are you encountered this from race organizers: “In accordance with industry standards: No refunds, deferrals, or transfers of registration fees.” Not with REVEL! We're here to change industry standards. All of our races offer a transfer, withdraw, and defer policy. REVEL: Fast, beautiful, and fair! |
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REVEL is Known for SpeedThe top 6 fastest marathon courses in the U.S. include three REVEL events: Canyon City, Mt Charleston, and Big Cottonwood. Meanwhile, REVEL Rockies is listed as one of the top Boston qualifiers, with a 21% qualifier rate. REVEL means FAST! |
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Training Tip: Don’t “Bank Time,” But Build a “Cushion” InsteadSome runners use the phrase “banking time” to allow for the typical slowdown that occurs in latter miles of a race due to fatigue. Generally, the idea is that if you run faster than your overall goal pace for early miles, you will have “banked time” by putting yourself “ahead of schedule” by a certain point of the race. Later, as you slow down, you will be “making withdrawals” against that “banked time” to stay on schedule overall. For a number of reasons, the “banked time” concept is not a good idea. Instead, think of building a “cushion” of time that you expect to use in your favor on the slower parts of the course. The cushion is built by taking advantage of gravity in the segments where the downhill profile favors faster running. As opposed to the “banked time” concept of running very fast (or too fast, as some critics say) early in the race, with the expectation of slowing down later in the race, the “cushion” idea is that you are doing nothing more than taking advantage of gravity, while using good course management to gauge where you are overall vis-à-vis your goal pace. This “cushion” idea is the concept that you should embrace for a downhill race. Instead of “banking time” on the downhills, you are merely running faster than goal pace, or as fast as you can comfortably run downhill, to account for the favorable downhill profile. Likewise, slowing down on the climbs is expected. Don’t think of it as “making withdrawals from banked time.” Instead, think of it as sound, smart course management. You know that you will run fast downhill, and you know that you will slow down uphill. CHECK OUT REVEL COACHING OPTIONS
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| Sep. 10, 2016 | REVEL Big Cottonwood Salt Lake City, UT |
| Nov. 12, 2016 | REVEL Canyon City Los Angeles, CA |
| Apr. 29, 2017 | REVEL Mt Charleston Las Vegas, NV |
| Jun 11, 2017 | REVEL Rockies Denver, CO |
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HOKA ONE ONE is back once again as the official running shoe of REVEL Big Cottonwood. New this year, HOKA will be sending one lucky runner on a trip to the Boston Marathon! Runners who wear their HOKA's during REVEL Big Cottonwood will be entered to win. Stay tuned for more info! |
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These are super soft tri-blend t-shirts for every day wear. 26.2 or 13.1 print with actual course topography design printed on front. Men's and women's specific fit. |
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As we approach REVEL Big Cottonwood, we'd like to give a shout out to our largest team, Run4Fun. With 62 members, this group based out of Utah, has runners participaing from all aross the country. Close behind is team Chasing Boston with 60 members! |
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As a 14 year breast cancer survivor Laura Beard has run 139 races to date, and she's completed all these races in just the last 5 years. In 2015 Laura (age 57) ran the Big Cottonwood Half Marathon with her 26 year old daughter and friend. She cruised down the course and beat both of them! As a cancer survior and speedy mom we congratulate her! |
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Congratulations to Mia Bennett who ran the 2015 REVEL Canyon City Marathon. She was randomly selected as the winner of a FREE race entry to any 2016/2017 REVEL event. Keep your eyes out each month to see if you're the next random winner. Mia, email revel@runrevel.com to claim your prize. |
A course strategy – and overall race strategy – is a must for optimal performance on race day. Whether this is your first REVEL Big Cottonwood race and your goal is simply to finish, or you are Big Cottonwood 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 Qualifier in all of the REVEL marathons, has prepared a detailed description of the Big Cottonwood Marathon and Half-Marathon courses.
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 definitely 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 Big Cottonwood Marathon course can be divided into five sections:
Similarly, the Big Cottonwood Half-Marathon course can be divided into four sections:
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 lays 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.
Starting at almost 9,700’ elevation, the first 3 miles of the course are on Guardsman Pass Road and include several turns and switchbacks. Overall, this first 3-mile segment loses nearly 1,100’ of elevation. That is a significant elevation loss, and you will want to manage the drops by easing into your pace, settling in for the long haul, and letting gravity pull you along at a comfortably fast pace.
Resist the urge to chase people as they pass you. While you want to take advantage of gravity, 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.
You will leave Guardsman Pass Road where it intersects with Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, turn left, and start climbing towards the Brighton Resort where you will loop around the resort area, and then head back towards the point where you began the loop.
Over the course of The Loop, you will climb slightly more than 100’ to the highest point of the loop. 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, 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.
From mile 4 to mile 18, just before you exit Big Cottonwood Canyon, you will experience the fastest part of the marathon course, with an elevation loss of more than 3,700’. There are a few small, short climbs here and there in this segment, but they are minor in comparison to the overall elevation loss.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself running well ahead of your goal pace. This segment is where the downhill profile of the marathon course will benefit you significantly. 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 slow down.
Just past mile 18, you will leave Big Cottonwood Canyon Road and turn onto S. Wasatch Boulevard for an out-and-back segment. For the next 2.2 miles, the course flattens out a bit and loses less elevation that the previous miles coming down the canyon. All totaled, you will lose just under 100’ in the “out” portion of the out-and-back, with some climbs along the way.
After the turnaround, you will run 2.2 miles back to the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon and head towards Fort Union Boulevard. Over this 2.2-miles stretch, you will be climbing back to where you started the out-and-back.
During this segment, don’t panic or become discouraged if you find yourself slowing down, or if it suddenly feels harder to maintain your pace. After the significant drop of the early miles, along with the typical late-stage fatigue that is common in marathons, your legs might feel heavy and you might feel as if you are working very hard to keep going. But the key will be to keep going. Once you get past this segment, the closing miles will be downhill again.
The finish line is on Fort Union Boulevard. After the right-hand turn from the out-and-back onto Fort Union, the closing 3.6-mile segment drops approximately 470’ total, making it a gradual, straightaway downhill finish. You will encounter terrific crowds who will cheer you towards the finish line of the fast and beautiful Big Cottonwood Marathon!
The Big Cottonwood 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 "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.
Starting at almost 7,335’ elevation, the half-marathon course drops almost 450’ total from the start to mile 3. That is an average of about 150' per mile, which is a significant but manageable descent each mile. You will want to manage the early downhill drops 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.
The term "rollers" usually brings to mind rolling hills. That is not at all what you will face in this segment. Instead, you will find occasional dips and short climbs that occur in miles 4 and 5. Overall, you will drop a total of 611' in this segment, which averages more than 300’ per mile. Although you will almost certainly feel very fast on the downhills in this segment, you will want to slow down on the occasional climbs and conserve your energy for the miles ahead.
At mile 5, where the "Little Rollers" are behind you, you will be at 6,275’ of elevation. At mile 9, just before you exit Big Cottonwood Canyon, the elevation is 5,033'. In other words, you will run 4 miles down the canyon and lose a net of 1,242’. That is more than 310’ per mile.
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 slow down. However, you will definitely be “warmed up” by this point, and will want to take advantage of the favorable downhill miles.
Just past mile 9, you will leave Big Cottonwood Canyon Road and continue straight onto Fort Union Boulevard. At this point, you can say to yourself "now downhill to the finish!"
The final 3.1-mile segment, which is entirely on Fort Union Boulevard, drops approximately 425’ total, making it a gradual, straightaway downhill finish. In this final stretch, the crowds of spectators will grow larger as you make your way towards the finish line of the fast and beautiful Big Cottonwood Half-Marathon!
The Big Cottonwood Half-Marathon course loses 2,894' of elevation from start to finish. That's an average of more than 220' 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.
 See you on Sunday, June 11, 2017!
REVEL Rockies is excited to announce the fourth annual event will be taking place on Sunday, June 11, 2017! Save up to $20 when you sign up by Friday, July 29. Use code EARLYBIRD at checkout to save $10 and combine that with the Facebook and team discounts to get a total of $20 off your registration!
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 Save $10 on REVEL Canyon City Marathon & Half!
Make sure you register by 11:59 PM TOMORROW to save $10 before the price increase. You don't want to miss this fast and beautiful marathon & half! We look forward to seeing you REVEL in Canyon City on Saturday, November 12, 2016. |
July 2016
Summer Training for REVEL Races: Hydration and ElectrolytesIf you are training this summer for REVEL Big Cottonwood or Canyon City, or are maintaining your base mileage for REVEL Mt Charleston or Rockies, you are dealing with training in the summer heat. There are many common tips to help runners train during hot summer months: wearing cooler, moisture wicking garments; running in early morning or late evening hours; and finding shaded areas to run. But there are two important tips that runners often overlook when training in the heart: proper hydration, and electrolyte replacement. Running in the heat means dehydration and loss of electrolytes, both of which can have moderate to severe impact on your performance. In order to continue training in the summer without suffering the potentially debilitating effects of dehydration and electrolyte loss, it helps to understand how and why heat, dehydration, and electrolyte loss affect your running. |
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Price Increases Next Week for REVEL Canyon CityREVEL Canyon City in Los Angeles, CA has a price increase coming next week! Make sure to register before July 21 to save $10. |
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2016 Triple Reveler Medal RevealedWant even more REVEL bling? Run 3 out of the 4 REVEL Races in 2016 (half or full) and receive a special edition Triple Reveler medal! Can you imagine all these beauties around your neck! |
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Big Cottonwood & Brighton Ski ResortThe REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon route, at miles 3-4, loops right past the oldest ski resort in Utah: The Brighton Ski Resort. Started in 1936, and named after Thomas W. Brighton who constructed the first buildings in the area, the Brighton Ski Resort sits entirely on public land and inside the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Known for its extensive backcountry access, Brighton also boasts an impressive amount of night skiing from December to April every year. |
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Canyon City & MorrisReservoirAll of REVEL’s courses are known for breathtaking natural beauty. If you’re planning to run REVEL Canyon City, don’t miss a stunning view of man-made beauty in the Morris Reservoir and Morris Dam on your left at miles 20-21 of the marathon and miles 7-8 of the half-marathon. Completed in 1935, the Art-Deco style dam and its reservoir provide spectacular views of the San Gabriel River as it winds its way through the canyon below. |
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Legacy RevelersAlmost 100 people have run REVEL Big Cottonwood every year since its inception! In honor of its fifth anniversary this year, legacy runners will get a special gold bib. We like this legacy distinction so much, we are going start doing it at all the REVEL locations. REVEL Canyon City is entering its 3rd year and has almost 500 people eligible for legacy status. REVEL Rockies will be entering its 4th year and has over 100 people eligible. REVEL Mt Charleston will be entering its second year and has almost 2000 people eligible! |
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Training Tip: Course StrategyEvery marathon and half-marathon course is different, and REVEL’s races all have course profiles that are fast and beautiful. In order to get the most from your 13.1 or 26.2 mile race, be sure to study the course profile for your race and be prepared for what the course offers. Whether it's long, steady downhills or short climbs followed by fast descents, it is important to be prepared for the specific course that you will be running. If possible, drive the course ahead of time to learn the terrain and make note of specific landmarks and locations. |
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The Launch TeamLast year over 30 youth 18 or younger finished REVEL Big Cottonwood marathon or half marathon. This year we have partnered with The Launch Team to get even more youth active! It's not too late to get your youth signed up for summer training to complete the REVEL Big Cottonwood Half Marathon in September. |
| Sep. 10, 2016 | REVEL Big Cottonwood Salt Lake City, UT |
| Nov. 12, 2016 | REVEL Canyon City Los Angeles, CA |
| Apr. 29, 2017 | REVEL Mt Charleston Las Vegas, NV |
| TBD 2017 | REVEL Rockies Denver, CO |
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We are excited to announce that SCHEELS will be partnering once again with this year's REVEL Big Cottonwood event. Not only is SCHEELS an excellent outlet for all of your pre-race equipment needs, but they also run the most bumpin' aid station of the event! For all of you Salt Lake City area runners, be sure to visit the Sandy SCHEELS for all of your running needs. With over 220,000 square feet of retail shopping experience and over 85 specialty shops, you're sure to find exactly what you're looking for. SCHEELS carries the absolute best brands in the valley. SCHEELS, where your retail adventure begins and right there with you in Sandy at a Hundred Fourteenth and State Street. |
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The perfect way to remember your REVEL experience. Lightweight grey and blue tri-blend hooded fleece. Super soft and comfortable. Perfect for lounging in after those long training runs. |
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Dr. Trevor R. Williams of Intermountain Health Care in Salt Lake and his awesome staff are all joining together to improve their health and improve the awareness of his new Gait Analysis Lab opening in February of 2016. They already have 16 people signed up on Team RIC to run REVEL Big Cottonwood. |
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Faith Ellis is our first participant to complete a REVEL course from Jamaica! Faith had already |
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Congratulations to Michelle Saltzman who ran the 2015 REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon. She was randomly selected as the winner of a FREE race entry to any 2016/2017 REVEL event. Keep your eyes out each month to see if you're the next random winner. Michelle, email revel@runrevel.com to claim your prize. |
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