The HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB delivered on its promise as the UTMB World Series Americas Major, hosting elite performances across all distances October 10-12, 2025, in Big Bear Lake, California. With double Running Stones on offer and automatic qualification spots for the UTMB World Series Finals, the stakes were high, and the world’s best ultrarunners answered the call with performances that will be remembered for years to come.
Hawks Claims Dominant 100-Mile Victory
Fresh off being named the 2024 UltraRunner of the Year, American Hayden Hawks proved why he’s at the top of the sport with a commanding victory in the 100-mile race. Hawks crossed the finish line in 16:40:37, posting the second-fastest time in Kodiak course history and leaving no doubt about his dominance in the high-altitude arena.
The performance showcased Hawks’ tactical brilliance and physical prowess as he navigated the challenging 159.9-kilometer course with 4,824 meters of elevation gain. Running mostly above 7,000 feet and summiting Sugarloaf Mountain at 9,995 feet, Hawks made the brutal course look manageable, maintaining a relentless pace that separated him from a competitive field.
American Joe McConaughy secured second place with a strong finish in 17:01:32, over 20 minutes behind Hawks but still posting an impressive time on the demanding course. Colombian runner Jhon Barrera rounded out the podium with a third-place finish in 17:29:53, demonstrating the international depth of competition at this premier event.
Lin Chen Shatters Women’s Course Record
While Hawks’ victory was dominant, it was China’s Lin Chen who arguably delivered the most spectacular performance of the weekend. Chen not only won the women’s 100-mile race but obliterated the existing course record, finishing in 19:31:17 and becoming the first woman in Kodiak history to break the 20-hour barrier.
Chen’s performance was nothing short of revolutionary, shaving over 90 minutes off the previous course record. She placed ninth overall in the race, demonstrating that her time wasn’t just fast for the women’s field but would have been competitive in any era of the race. The combination of perfect pacing, high-altitude adaptation, and unwavering determination resulted in one of the most impressive women’s ultramarathon performances of the year.
American Madison Leichty also made history with her second-place finish, crossing the line in 19:43:59 to become the second woman ever to break 20 hours at Kodiak. Genevieve Harrison claimed third in 20:15:58, while Kristi Knecht finished fourth. Remarkably, the top four women all finished under the previous course record, illustrating the depth and quality of the women’s field and perhaps signaling a new era in women’s ultrarunning performance.
A New Standard for Women’s Mountain Ultras
Chen’s performance and the depth of fast times behind her represent more than just individual achievements. They signal an evolution in women’s ultrarunning, where sub-20-hour 100-milers at altitude are becoming the new benchmark for elite competition. The psychological barrier of 20 hours has been shattered not just by one runner but by multiple women in a single race, raising the bar for future competitions and inspiring the next generation of female ultrarunners.
UTMB World Series Americas Major Significance
The 2025 edition of Kodiak carried extra weight as the UTMB World Series Americas Major, offering runners double the Running Stones compared to standard UTMB World Series events. This designation transformed the race into a critical opportunity for runners pursuing qualification for the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix.
A total of 210 automatic qualification spots were awarded across the event, including the top 10 male and female finishers in the 100-mile, 100K, and 50K categories, along with age-group category winners. For many participants, the Kodiak represented not just a race but a gateway to the sport’s most prestigious event in the French Alps.
The dual-qualifier status, allowing finishers to also qualify for the Western States Endurance Run, made the Kodiak an even more valuable target race for competitive ultrarunners. Successfully finishing Kodiak opens doors to two of trail running’s most iconic events, making the challenging conditions and demanding course worth every difficult step.
Festival Atmosphere in Big Bear Village
Beyond the elite performances, the Kodiak continued its tradition of combining world-class competition with a welcoming festival atmosphere. With the start and finish line situated in the heart of downtown Big Bear Lake, the event created a vibrant celebration of trail running that engaged runners, crews, and spectators alike.
Local vendors provided food and beverages, while a DJ kept energy levels high throughout the weekend. The pre-race parade through town became a memorable moment for participants, building excitement and community spirit before runners embarked on their high-altitude challenges. The mountain town’s hospitality and the stunning backdrop of Big Bear Lake created an experience that transcended the race itself.
100K and 50K Distances Attract Strong Fields
While specific results for the 100K and 50K distances are still being finalized, both races attracted competitive fields seeking Running Stones and UTMB qualification. The 100K course covered 97.5 kilometers with 3,099 meters of elevation gain, while the 50K featured 48.6 kilometers and 1,315 meters of climbing.
The shorter distances provided accessible entry points to the UTMB World Series while still delivering the signature Kodiak experience of diverse terrain, stunning vistas, and high-altitude challenge. Runners transitioned through alpine forests, high desert sections, and sub-alpine environments, experiencing the full range of Big Bear’s natural beauty compressed into courses that could be completed in a single day.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The success of the 2025 event has already generated excitement for next year’s race, scheduled for October 9-10, 2026. The Kodiak will return as the UTMB World Series Americas Major, continuing to serve as a critical qualifying event for both UTMB and Western States.
With course records falling and the depth of competition increasing, the 2026 Kodiak promises to attract even stronger fields. Athletes will have nearly a full year to study the course, adapt to altitude, and prepare specifically for the challenges that Big Bear Lake presents. The bar has been set high by this year’s performances, particularly by Lin Chen’s historic sub-20-hour run, creating compelling storylines for next year’s race.
The Kodiak Legacy Grows
The 2025 HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons reinforced the event’s status as one of North America’s premier mountain ultramarathons. The combination of challenging terrain, meaningful qualification opportunities, outstanding organization, and genuine mountain hospitality continues to attract the world’s best trail runners to Big Bear Lake each October.
As runners recover from their efforts and begin planning for their next challenges, whether in Chamonix or at Western States, they’ll carry with them the memories of pushing their limits at 7,000 feet, summiting Sugarloaf Mountain, and being part of a historic day of ultrarunning. The performances at the 2025 Kodiak have raised the bar for what’s possible in mountain ultramarathons, and the sport is better for it.
2025 Kodiak 100-Mile Results Summary
Men’s Race:
1. Hayden Hawks (USA) – 16:40:37 (2nd fastest course time ever)
2. Joe McConaughy (USA) – 17:01:32
3. Jhon Barrera (Colombia) – 17:29:53
Women’s Race:
1. Lin Chen (China) – 19:31:17 (Course Record, first woman under 20 hours)
2. Madison Leichty (USA) – 19:43:59 (2nd woman under 20 hours)
3. Genevieve Harrison (USA) – 20:15:58
4. Kristi Knecht (USA) – Under previous course record
Event Details:
Dates: October 10-12, 2025
Location: Big Bear Lake, California
Status: UTMB World Series Americas Major (Double Running Stones)
Distances: 100M, 100K, 50K, 21K, 10K
