How do I register for Big Cottonwood Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners with tiered pricing. Entry opens October 21, 2025, and remains available until the race fills. You can register individually or as part of a team.

Is Big Cottonwood Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. The field skews toward goal-oriented runners, though the altitude and downhill nature of the course mean race-day execution matters a lot.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course is a continuous net descent of roughly 5,200 feet, starting above 9,600 feet in Big Cottonwood Canyon and finishing near 4,400 feet in Salt Lake City. The steepest drops come early in the canyon, with the grade flattening out as you approach the valley.

What should I expect for weather on race day?

The finish line averages around 57°F with highs near 70°F. The start at canyon elevation runs 20 to 30 degrees colder, so plan to layer up at the beginning. Temperatures warm steadily as you descend.

What is the time limit for the race?

The time limit is approximately 6 hours and 33 minutes. The last day to register is September 11, 2026, the day before the race.

How big is the field?

Recent editions have seen around 1,200 finishers. The race is small enough that it never feels congested on course.

Does the altitude affect the race?

Yes, notably at the start. You begin above 9,600 feet, where thinner air can make early miles feel harder than expected. Runners coming from lower elevations are advised to arrive a day or two early to acclimate if possible.

Sat, Sep 12 · 2026Salt Lake City, UT

Big Cottonwood Marathon

Big Cottonwood drops you more than a mile in elevation through a Utah canyon, starting cold and finishing warm. It is a point-to-point descent built for fast times and honest effort.

Net downhillOpen

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BIG COTTONWOOD · US

Big Cottonwood

SAT, SEP 12

2026

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Race Overview

Big Cottonwood is one of the most straightforward PR setups in the mountain west, and it delivers in a very specific way. You start at over 9,600 feet inside Big Cottonwood Canyon, and it is cold up there, sometimes 20 to 30 degrees colder than the finish. Dress for that. The course runs downhill almost the entire way, dropping more than a mile in elevation by the time you cross the finish in Salt Lake City. The canyon stretch is quiet and focused. No big crowds, just you, the road, and the grade working in your favor. It is a beautiful course to run, but the descent demands respect. Don't go out bombing the downhills. Your quads will pay for it around mile 18 if you do.

This is a point-to-point race, so logistics matter. There are buses from the finish area up to the start, and you will want to get there early so you have time to warm up and settle in before the gun. The course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston, which draws a lot of goal-oriented runners. The field is small enough that it never feels crowded. Registration is open, with tiered pricing, so you can sign up without worrying about a lottery or a qualifying time. Just get in before it fills. September in Salt Lake means the finish line will be comfortable, but respect the altitude at the start if you are coming from sea level. Give yourself a day or two to adjust if you can.

Field size

~1.2k

1,179 finishers

BQ rate

4%

Below national average

Time limit

6:33

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

↓5,231 ft

Net elevation

—

Highest point

9,625 ft

Lowest point

4,377 ft

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

Big Cottonwood is a net-downhill point-to-point, dropping roughly 5,200 feet over 26.2 miles from canyon start to Salt Lake City. The course begins above 9,600 feet and loses elevation almost continuously, which rewards disciplined pacing but punishes those who treat it as a free ride. Aggressive early downhill running hammers quads and invites late-race breakdown. The steepest descent comes in the first half through the canyon; the grade flattens as you approach the valley floor. Thin air at the start is a real factor, especially for runners who haven't spent time at altitude. Temperatures swing dramatically, so layering at the start and planning for warmth at the finish is essential strategy.

View official course map Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

44°F

High

70°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

September in Big Cottonwood Canyon starts cold. The high-altitude start means you'll be standing above 9,600 feet in the low-to-mid 40s at the gun, so bring a throwaway layer for the corral. As you descend into the valley the temperature climbs, and by the time you hit the final miles near Salt Lake City it can be pushing 70. The back half of the race is warmer and more exposed, so don't overdress at the start and make sure you're drinking through the middle miles before the heat catches up with you.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration with tiered pricing. Entry is available through September 11, 2026. Runners can register individually or as part of a team.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

SLC

5 mi

from the start

≈ 10 min transferOn the doorstep

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into SLC, about 5 miles from the start, right on the doorstep by rideshare or transit, roughly a 10-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Salt Lake City, UT so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.