Event Description

Runner’s World’s Bart Yasso has called it the "Must do in your lifetime" marathon. The Big Sur Int’l Marathon offers a course that features incredible beauty as well as a real challenge for most runners and faster walkers. Staged entirely on Hwy 1, runners are treated to panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean on their left and the pastoral beauty of the coastal mountain range on their right. There is an eclectic offering of music along the course, including Michael Martinez playing the Yamaha Grand Piano at Bixby Bridge, halfway through the Marathon course.

The 2019 Big Sur Marathon will be conducted as a series of random drawings with several first-come, first-served options.  Entries are also available by fundraising for one of our Charity Partners or by purchasing a travel package from Marathon Tours that includes a marathon entry.

MARATHON TIME LIMITS – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU REGISTER

• The Marathon course time limit is six hours, a pace of 13:45 per mile. This time limit begins with the last official runner to cross the starting line. If you are unable to maintain this pace, you may be removed from the course at any point and transported to the finish.
• Course aid stations are maintained only for a six hour finish pace.
• Finish line and post-race services including finisher medallions, food and fluids, finish times, and eligibility for awards are only available for official finishers under 6 hours.
• There is no option for early starters. The Marathon begins at 6:45 a.m. and features three start waves that are approximately 5-minutes apart.
• Any runner who has not made it to mile 21.2 by 11:50 a.m., a little over five hours from the start of the final wave, will not be allowed to continue on the course. This deadline reflects a 13:45-per-mile pace. We will transport those runners who arrive at mile 21.2 after 11:50 a.m. to the finish line.
• This is a challenging course with rolling hills, a steady two-mile climb between miles 10 and 12, and often strong headwinds in certain sections. Past participants have said their pace on this course can be as much as a minute per mile slower than on flatter courses. Please plan your training and pacing accordingly.
• The 21-Miler may be a better option for slower runners and most walkers including power walkers. Except for the first five miles, the 21-Miler course is the same as that of the marathon and includes both Hurricane Point and Bixby Bridge.
• Because the 21-Miler begins at 6:30 a.m., 15 minutes earlier than the marathon, there is a six hour and 30 minute finish time limit, a pace of 18:35 per mile. 21-Milers will still need to be past the Marathon mile 21.2 mark before 11:50 a.m.

Thanks for reading and adhering to these entry requirements: they are for the safety of all runners and volunteers. We look forward to hosting you in 2020!

Event details and schedule

All events but the 3K are on Sunday April 26, 2020
Marathon: 6:45 a.m.
21-Miler 6:30 a.m.
Relay: 6:45 a.m.
11-Miler: 7:00 a.m.
12K: 7:35 a.m.
5K:  7:35 a.m.
By-the-Bay 3K: 8:00 a.m. (Saturday, April 25)

Registration for the 21-Miler, Marathon Relay, 11-Miler, 12K, 5K and 3K will open on September 3 at 9 AM PDT.