This article brought to you by Davis Auto Body
Article by Andre Adame
The 7th Annual Kodiak Ultra Marathons will be taking place in Big Bear this coming weekend from Friday, August 16th through Sunday, August 18th. Highlighted events include the Kodiak 100-mile, Kodiak 50-mile, and Kodiak 50K.
Racers in the Kodiak 100 will begin their journey at Big Bear Village at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening. The 50-mile will start at 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning on Holcomb Valley Road, and the 50K will start at 6:00 a.m. at the base of Sugarloaf.
Event organizers are anticipating 2,000 attendees, which includes over 550 registered racers. Spectators are welcome at the start/finish area in Big Bear Village, which will have a beer garden, food, and sponsor booths available on Saturday. Sponsors this year include Carbopro Nutrition, Altra Running Shoes, Dank Donuts, and Coros.
The Kodiak was originally started in 2013 by local adventurer and racer Paul Romero, with Matt Smith taking over in the second year. This will be the second year that Susie Schmelzer and her husband Harald Zundel—both active members with Big Bear Search and Rescue and the Trail Council—will be coordinating the event. Not only is Kodiak an exciting event for the Big Bear community, but it also directly helps local organizations with proceeds benefiting the Bear Valley Search and Rescue, Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation, Mountain Top Radio Association, and the Big Bear Middle School.
If you’re interested in racing in one of the Kodiak marathons, then you’ll have to wait until next year as registration is closed. There are, however, opportunities to volunteer for either this year’s or next year’s races. More information can be found at www.kodiak100.com.