Announcement

With heavy hearts we announce that the 2020 REVEL Big Cottonwood Marathon & Half has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. If you are registered, check your email for further information with your options.

REVEL Big Cottonwood Info

Quick Info

• Download: Road Closures & Detours | 2019 Race Guide
• Date: Sept. 12, 2020
• The expo will be held at the Mountain America Expo Center on Friday, September 11, 2020 from 10:00AM - 8:00PM.
• Buses depart from the corner of 1300 East and Fort Union Boulevard. Half marathon buses load from 4:30 to 5:30 AM, and full marathon buses load 4:00 to 5:00 AM.
• Marathon Start Time: 6:45 AM
• Half Marathon Start Time: 6:45 AM
• Full Marathon Course: Guardsman Pass to Cottonwood Heights
• Half Marathon Course: Mill D Parking Area to Cottonwood Heights

Runner Perks

In addition to offering a fully-supported run down an incredibly beautiful Rocky Mountain canyon and getting the best PR opportunity you may ever have, we strive to make REVEL Big Cottonwood even more memorable with the additional perks listed below.

Free Photos & Personalized Videos

There will be photographers at multiple locations along the course to take pictures of your race experience. Be sure to smile big, make a tough face, or strike a pose for the cameras as you go by. Please make sure your bib is visible as well. Photographers will also be at the finish to capture your sprint across the line and take your photos in front of our backdrops.

All race photos will be provided for free. We will also use photos you select to create a personalized highlight video for you. It is crazy to pay $50 to $100 for a single image download like you may have experienced before. At REVEL events, your memories are on us! Your photos will be made available shortly after the race along with your results on the results page. You will receive a link via email a few weeks after the event to select the photos for your video. Check out the following personalized video sample:

Medals

Medals are provided to all participants as you cross the finish line. Our race medals are not your run-of-the-mill awards. We award huge, high-quality medals that are equal to your effort. These are certain to win a place at the top of your medal collection. The images below are samples of medals from previous years.

Shirts

Every participant will receive a high-quality, gender-specific race shirt. We guarantee that this will be a shirt you'll want to keep, and maybe purchase an extra or two. During registration you can select between a long sleeve, tank, or short sleeve shirt. Select the size of shirt you want, but don't sweat it if you're not sure about sizing. You can try it on at the expo, and if it doesn't fit you can exchange it for a better size, as available. We don't want you to be stuck with a shirt that doesn't fit!

Swag

REVEL Big Cottonwood swag and sponsor swag will be available for pick-up at the expo. In addition to other items, all runners will receive a pair of throw-away gloves and a mylar blanket to be used in case of cold weather. Iced towels will be given to all runners as they cross the finish line.

Finish Line Festivities

Once you cross the finish line, stick around and enjoy the exciting atmosphere at the finish. Runners will be greeted with some great food as you celebrate your achievement with friends and family. Check out the vendor booths, get a photo in front of our beautiful backdrops, and give a hand to the rest of the runners coming in.

Transfer, Withdrawal & Deferral Policy

We understand that things come up, which is why we try to be as flexible and accommodating as possible. We allow runners to transfer between distances (half to full or full to half), transfer their entry to another individual, defer to another event, defer to next year and even withdraw from the race if their plans change. Visit our withdrawal, transfer & deferral page for more details.

Travel

Rental Cars

REVEL Race Series has teamed up with Enterprise & National to get you the best rate! Book your rental car using this booking link.

Airport

If you are traveling to REVEL Big Cottonwood, the closest airport is the Salt Lake City International Airport. It is only fifteen miles from the finish line in Cottonwood Heights, and even closer to downtown Salt Lake City.

Partnering Hotels

REVEL Big Cottonwood is happy to partner with a number of hotels this year to provide special rates and amenities for our runners.

In addition to the discounted rates, a number of hotels are partnering with us to offer busing to the start lines from the hotel and shuttles back to the hotel from the finish line after the race.

We want to thank the Hawthorn Suites for staffing an aid stations along the course, and invite you to look for them during the race and express your appreciation for their support.

Expo

The REVEL Big Cottonwood Expo will be held at the Mountain America Expo Center, on Friday, September 11, 2020. The expo center is located roughly 5 miles from the finish venue at 9575 South State Street, Sandy, UT 84070. The expo will run from 10:00AM - 8:00PM. REVEL's Online Coach, Paul Carmona will speak at 10:45AM and 1:30PM at the Expo & Packet Pick-Up.

A photo ID is required to pick up your race bag. We will allow individuals to pick up someone else's bag, but will require a photocopy of the person's ID and a written note authorizing them to do so.

If you will be arriving in town after the expo is closed or are otherwise unable to attend the expo, you may elect to pick up your packet and bag on race morning for an additional fee. This option may be selected during registration.

Parking & Busing

Race parking is available at the business parks to the immediate south of the finish line. Multiple parking garages are available for parking at that location as well as on the west side of Union Park Avenue. All parking is free.

REVEL Big Cottonwood is a point to point course, and as such we will bus you from the finish line to the start line. The cost of busing is included in your entry fees. You do not need to reserve a spot on the bus, as your bib is your ticket to ride. ALL PARTICIPANTS must take a bus to the start lines (you may not park at or be dropped off at the start lines).

Buses will depart from the corner of 1300 East and Fort Union Boulevard, just east of the finish line. Half marathon buses will load from the northwest corner of the intersection from 4:30 to 5:30 AM, and full marathon buses will load from the corner of 1300 East and Park Centre Drive from 4:00 to 5:00 AM. Please make sure that you are on time and that you get on the right bus! Staff will be on hand to help direct runners and ensure that parking and busing runs smoothly.

Spectators may also park at the same locations as runners, though parking spaces may be limited. If parking garages are full, additional parking is available in the retail lots to the south of the finish venue.

Drop Bags

You will receive a race bag when you pick up your packet at the expo. This bag is for you to take to the starting areas. A number that matches your race bib will be put on the outside of your race bag. This is to identify your bag at the finish area after the race, and you will need your bib to prove ownership of your bag when you pick it up.

You may take your race bag and any personal belongings with you to the starting areas. For security and identification purposes we require these bags to be used to carry any clothes or personal belongings to the starting area, as opposed to any other personal bags. Bags must be placed in the transport vehicles at the starting areas no later than 6:30 AM.

Start & Finish Areas

Start Areas

The half marathon will begin approximately 10 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon at Mill D parking area, and the full marathon will begin at the very top of the canyon at Guardsman Pass.

Porta-potties, water, basic first aid items, and last-minute instructions will be provided at the starting areas. While we will provide gloves and Mylar blankets, we highly recommend that you come prepared for cold temperatures at the start line by layering and then shedding your layers to put in your drop bag just before the race begins.

Finish Area

The finish line is located at 1265 E. Fort Union Boulevard in Cottonwood Heights. The finisher's area will be packed with food, massage, awards ceremonies, vendor booths, and more. A designated family meetup area will also run along the south side of the finisher's area so you can easily find your family in the crowd.

The map below shows the layout of the finish venue and indicates the locations of all the areas listed above as well as the designated areas for bag pickup, hotel shuttles, results, porta-potties, team tent space, and so forth.

Timing & Bibs

Timing

The races will be chip-timed using timing tags adhered to the back of your bib. Your time will begin when you cross the starting line, not at the start gun, and will stop when you cross the finish line. Overall prize winners (top 3 in each race) will be determined by gun time, not chip time. Please do not tamper with the timing chips, as they cannot be replaced once linked to your bib number.

Bibs

Because the timing tag is adhered to the back of your race bib, it is important that you do not cover your bib with clothing or other objects that may interfere with the tag reader when you are crossing the start and finish lines. Furthermore, in order to ensure that race volunteers, officials, and photographers can properly identify you, you must wear your bib on the front of your person in an unobstructed position. If the photographers along the course can not see your bib number, we will have no way to get your photos to you.

Aid Stations

Aid stations will be located approximately every two miles along the courses. All aid stations will be supplied with BODYARMOR Orange Mango electrolyte drinks, water, and basic first aid supplies. Additionally, various aid stations will be supplied with doTERRA Deep Blue, Honey Stinger energy gels, frozen treats, fruit, and medical personnel.

Any clothing that is left at aid stations or along the course will be considered a donation to charity. We recommend putting your clothing in your bag and letting the bag truck transport it to the finish line.

Safety & Medical

Course Safety

The canyon will be partially closed to traffic from 7:00 AM until 11:00 AM on race day. During this time, the westbound lane will be reserved for runners. Traffic in the eastbound lane will be limited to one direction, and will be coordinated by police escorts. Candlestick barricades will be placed every 80 feet along the center of the road, and for your safety you must stay to the right of these cones at all times while in the canyon.

Road Closures & Detours

Once runners leave the canyon, the course will continue to be marked by candlestick barricades and road signs. Race volunteers and police officers will be present at all major intersections and turns on the courses to guide runners and stop traffic when necessary. Runners must follow their directions at all times in order to ensure their safety. Any runners seen intentionally running on the wrong side of cones or barricades will be disqualified.

Medical Assistance Provided by Intermountain Healthcare

Intermountain Healthcare is the official medical provider of the race. Each aid station will be supplied with a first-aid kit that will include items such as bandages, moleskin, vaseline, anti-inflammatories, etc. If you are in need of any of these items, simply stop and ask the volunteers at the aid station.

In addition to the first-aid kits, various aid stations will be staffed by medical professionals from Intermountain Healthcare, who will have more advanced medical care available. See the Aid Stations section for more details.

Multiple sag wagons and ambulances will be roaming the course as well to respond to any emergencies and transport runners who cannot continue to the finish line. A full-service medical tent will also be at the finish line, staffed by our partners from Intermountain Alta View Hospital.

Pacing & Time Limits

Pacing

Pacers will be running both the full marathon and half marathon to lead everyone to a fast time. Because of the downhill nature and uniqueness of the courses, we will be using the Smart Pacing strategy, which is an effort-based pacing strategy that varies the pace of each mile based on the % grade. This pacing strategy has proven to be very effective, particularly on courses like Big Cottonwood.

The full marathon will include pacers at various Boston-qualifying paces, including:

• 3:00 (Men's 18-34 BQ mark, 6:52/mile pace)
• 3:05 (Men's 35-39 BQ mark, 7:03/mile pace)
• 3:10 (Men's 40-44 BQ mark, 7:15/mile pace)
• 3:20 (Men's 45-49 BQ mark, 7:37/mile pace)
• 3:30 (Women's 18-34 BQ mark, 8:00/mile pace)
• 3:35 (Women's 35-39 & Men's 55-59 BQ mark, 8:12/mile pace)
• 3:40 (Women's 40-44 BQ mark, 8:23/mile pace)
• 3:50 (Women's 45-49 & Men's 60-64 BQ mark, 8:46/mile pace)
• 4:05 (Women's 55-59 & Men's 65-59 BQ mark, 9:20/mile pace)
• 4:20 (Women's 60-64 & Men's 70-74 BQ mark, 9:54/mile pace)

The half marathon will include pacers at the following paces:

• 1:30 (6:52/mile)
• 1:40 (7:38/mile)
• 1:50 (8:24/mile)
• 2:00 (9:10/mile)
• 2:10 (9:55/mile)
• 2:20 (10:41/mile)

Time Limits

Because road closures for the race must be re-opened for normal traffic, we are required to set course time limits. Road closures will be lifted based on a 6:33 marathon time. Any runners still on the course after the rolling cut-off times may continue to proceed along the course route to the finish area, but aid station and traffic control support will not be available.

For the full marathon, the cut-off time is equivalent to a 15:00/mile pace. This is equivalent to a very light jog or brisk power walk. Because the half marathon begins further down the canyon and heads straight to the finish line after exiting the canyon, the cut-off pace for the half marathon is slower than the full marathon, at roughly 30:00/mile.

Based on the USATF certification standards the course is measured on tangents or SPR-Shortest Possible Route. Therefore if you run on the inside or outside line the entire length of the race your GPS may reflect a distance slightly greater than 13.1 or 26.2.

Weather

Although we cannot predict the weather, we can provide some historical weather averages for the area on the date of the race:

• Average Low: 55 F
• Average High: 77 F
• Average: 66 F

Please remember that these are average temperatures for the Salt Lake Valley, and that temperatures in the canyon will likely be considerably cooler in the morning. While we will provide gloves and Mylar blankets, we highly recommend that you come prepared for cold temperatures at the start line by layering and then shedding your layers to put in your drop bag just before the race begins.

Spectator Locations

Because the canyon and Wasatch Boulevard will be completely closed to traffic, spectators will need to stake a spot out on Fort Union Boulevard. Refer your fan club to the course maps to plot out their desired locations. Spectators will also be allowed to park at the finish line to cheer you in and celebrate with you after you cross the line.

Road Closures & Detours

Results & Awards

Age Divisions

Age divisions include the following:

• 1-14
• 15-18
• 19-24
• 25-29
• 30-34
• 35-39
• 40-44
• 45-49
• 50-54
• 55-59
• 60-64
• 65-69
• 70-74
• 75-79
• 80+

Results

Your results will be available shortly after you cross the finish line, visit our official print partner VIVID printing's tent indicated on the finish venue map. Results will also be posted online as soon as possible after the race.

All runners completing the race will receive one of our famous finisher's medals. Additional awards will be given to the top 3 runners in each age division. Runners that place in the top 3 of their age division can claim their awards at the awards booth, indicated in the finish venue map. Age division placers must pick up their awards at the race.

Awards

All runners completing the race will receive one of our famous finisher's medals as they cross the finish line. Age division awards (1st, 2nd, & 3rd) and overall awards (top 3 men and women) will be given as well and can be redeemed at the Results Tent. Team awards will be sent out after the event.