he REVEL Sun Valley Limited Edition marathon course offers the best of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, including breathtaking views of the forests and peaks high atop the mountains. Runners will enjoy the fresh scent of mountain air, glimpses of forest wildlife, and the charm of the Sun Valley resort town. If that were not enough, the course is downhill on a paved highway and is a Boston Marathon qualifier!
The marathon begins near Galena Summit roughly 26 miles north of Sun Valley. Standing at nearly 8,000 ft above sea level surrounded by towering pines and aspens, runners will experience the sunrise in one of the most pristine locations in North America.
The course begins with a strong downhill grade of 3.5% as it heads south on Highway 75 and passes Galena Lodge at mile 3. After passing the Lodge, the course settles in for a nearly constant smooth decline of 1.2% for the remainder of the race.
The only significant climb occurs at mile 13, where runners will encounter a short 45-foot climb as they pass the half marathon point. After cresting this small hill, it is all downhill to the finish line.
As they make their way down the mountain, runners will parallel the path of the Big Wood River, crossing over it four times on highway bridges. As the course nears the finish line, the Wood River grows in strength until reaching the outskirts of Ketchum and Sun Valley.
The final 2.5 miles of the race transition from Highway 75 to the paved Wood River Trail. Runners remain on the paved trail as they enter Ketchum and make their way to the finish line at beautiful Atkinson Park in the shadows of Bald Mountain.
