2024 Kodiak 100K and 50K course recon | Kodiak by UTMB ultramarathon

[@chrisbrunn3480]

Had a lot of fun exploring the course with you Reto! Note, I misspoke conflating Aspen Glen and Mill Creek aid station and also I think I called the Mill Creek aid station Grandview. While the 50k and 100k share many aid stations, The 100k course change also changed where the aid stations are located between those two races. So my apologies for misspeaking. For anyone visiting the area wanting more.. San Gorgonio from Vivian Creek is a great 20 mi route, 5k elevation gain at altitude and usually has water available. There is also Cactus 2 Clouds nearby with 10,000 ft of elevation gain in 20 miles going up San Jacinto (take the tram down the final 8,000 ft). For day 2 we had parked at Snow Summit and went up Bobsled trail and ran Skyline trail. If you have a 4x4 that whole area is very accessible by road for training if you don’t want to do large water carries but still want to explore the course.

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Chris, thanks for the planning and setting us up for success! No need to apologize, the knowledge and experience that you shared during our runs and on the video are very much appreciated. See you again after Verbier!

[@gokiwi2642]

What amazing surroundings to run in, awesome variety, the first day on the rocky track looked difficult, top video Veto & Chris, good luck with UTMB in October 🙏🏃🏽‍♂️🌴👍🏼✌️👊🏼🥳🌲

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Thanks Reece, it was a fun adventure and really enjoyed running with Chris in a spectacular mountain area.

[@KeepRunningBro]

Thanks for the recon! I’m also going to be running this and from Connecticut.

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Thanks and hopefully it's helpful. I just deferred to 2025 because of the uncertainty ... keep fingers crossed that they'll be able to put on the races. Just subbed to your channel.

[@MihaiGoRunning]

Feeling a bit worn out from all the training and races lately, but watching your journey through those trails really lifted my spirits. It's like experiencing a race vicariously through your eyes, and it's such a refreshing perspective. Thanks for sharing your adventure, Reto, Chris! Looking forward to more epic runs from you!

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Hi Mihai, I've followed your recent races on Strava and I'm continuously inspired by your journey. I'm also following your runs while travelling, and it's something I'd like to do to combine two of my passions. Thanks for your support!

[@RaminMadani-m8n]

Great. I love bears especially the Kodiak :-)) Love the nature in these mountains. Good to have company. Great run and effort. Wonderful adventure on feet in this outstanding area. Go ahead.

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Thank you for watching and for your kind comments. I'm looking forward to going back in October for the 50K.

[@markg99]

Great hiking, Reto 😆😉 Hopefully your back coped well with the downhill running. Some of that scenery is just beautiful. Great place to visit for some training with good company.

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Hey Mark, yes it was slow. We'll have another go at it after my Verbier Marathon race and see if we can hike a little less and run a little more 😉😂. Thanks for your support!

[@BenNotley]

Absolutely epic stuff Reto!!! What an incredible day out in the mountains. Stunning stuff! 😎🤘

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Hey Ben, cheers mate. Appreciate that. It was wort flying across the country and running with Chris.

[@Runnerrwe]

Looks like a incredible outing with a friend. I know one of the toughest Spartan event is done on that area of mountains. Looks like great weather

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Hi Richard, yes it was a tough but rewarding 2 days in the mountains. Will go back again.

[@AndyCliffMTB]

Saved the video to watch tonight when I could enjoy the whole adventure. They should call you Mr Vert! Some amazing scenery helped by great weather and pleased to hear that your back didn’t trouble you at all on day 1 and only slightly on day 2. Looking forward to your Verbier Marathon, can we track your progress in real time?

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Thanks Andy, that's very kind of you. Enjoyed the beauty of ultra running for a couple of days. The Verbier Marathon is a UTMB event and should be live trackable on their site. I'll post the link a few days before in an update video. Thanks for your support.

[@RunThePlanet]

That's a really nice place to train and the weather looked good too 🙂 will be great when you race there

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Thank you, Matt. Yes, the training environment and weather were awesome. Being able to run with a friend who is knowledgeable and supportive made it perfect.

[@diego-o7t4t]

Mr vert, the technical part of the first day is only for the 100k right? The 50k is only the 2nd day of your trip and should be fairly fast… correct ?

[@RunFreeandStrong]

Yes, that is correct. 100K is technical, 50K is more runnable. Thanks for asking!