Big Sur International Marathon
Big Sur, CA
- Marathon, Marathon Relay, 21 Miler, 11 Miler, 12K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Bart Yasso has called it the “Must do in your lifetime” marathon. The Big Sur International Marathon is a point-to-point course run on scenic CA Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel the last Sunday each April. Towering redwoods, crashing waves, coastal mountains and verdant pastures are featured on this … MORE
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Best and Most Beautiful Marathon Ever,
Absolutely gorgeous run. Challenging but well stocked at every mile, with wonderful aid stations with fresh bananas, oranges, electrolytes and water. Not to mention, fresh local strawberries at mile 23. … MORE
Absolutely gorgeous run. Challenging but well stocked at every mile, with wonderful aid stations with fresh bananas, oranges, electrolytes and water. Not to mention, fresh local strawberries at mile 23. So we’ll organized. I love Boston but my heart belongs to Big Sur International Marathon. 💙
Scenery combined with a Challenge
3rd time running. 1st time in the rain, but did not matter. Hills - yes there are and both up and serious downhill section. Be trained or think about the … MORE
3rd time running. 1st time in the rain, but did not matter. Hills – yes there are and both up and serious downhill section. Be trained or think about the 21-miler. You get all the great views with 21-miler race. Great course organization. Yes, you have to start very early to get to Big Sur by bus and the start corals are crowded as limited space available. It is a coast so the weather changes. Potential for very windy conditions. You won’t care as you run and take in the incredible views. Monterey is a fun place to be for a few days.
Twice beauty, twice the humbling
Was it Einstein who said “ Insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result?” Because the definition of insanity is running the Big Sur Marathon twice … MORE
Was it Einstein who said “ Insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result?” Because the definition of insanity is running the Big Sur Marathon twice and expecting it to hurt less. Spoiler: It didn’t.
The first time, I ran Big Sur wide-eyed and full of dreams. I conquered the 2024 out and back like a caffeinated cow, paused to listen to a piano player on a cliff, and finished with the grace of a gazelle that just survived an outrunning the wildebeest herd that took out Mufasa.
In 2025, I came back older, wiser, and a bit slower. Mother Nature must’ve remembered me and decided to crank up the wind, the rain, the hills, and my existential despair. Hurricane Point felt more like Typhoon Regret. Somewhere around mile 22, I started hallucinating that the SAG bicyclists were racing me and going to win.
Still, you don’t run Big Sur for the PR. You run it for the kind of views that make you briefly forget you’re in agony and only have 7 toenails left. You run it to be one with the ragged coastline, and then dramatically curse it by mile 13 as you turn the mountain curves. It’s not a race—it’s a love letter written in calf cramps, strawberries, and a pianist whose music carries you up the mountain.
Would I do it a third time? Ask me once I can feel my legs again.
Bucket List Race - Must Do!
Gosh- so many amazing things to say about this race. Course was beautiful even in the rain. There are more than enough aid stations with so many options - water … MORE
Gosh- so many amazing things to say about this race. Course was beautiful even in the rain. There are more than enough aid stations with so many options – water , nuun, refillable stations, fruit, first aid. The strawberries at mile 23 are something I will never forget.
The course entertainment was the perfect mix to allow me to get lost in my own music and the views but also feel motivated and supported.
Lots of portapotties with limited waits. Course support was above and beyond.
Start line support was great and lots of announcements so everything was clear. Coffee, gear check, blankets, lots of bathrooms. Corral were very well marked.
Finish line offered everything needed, gear check was very easy pickup.
Bus transport was great.
Packet pickup was a bit of a line but seemed like it was just timing- staff was so friendly.
Only area of improvement was signing up for the bus pickup online, I felt I had to checkout several times in order for it to take.
Everyone i encountered was so helpful and friendly. I can’t say enough wonderful things about this race. I would love to do it again and will be singing its praises to anyone that will listen.
Amazing scenic race, tough but worth it!
Great course with stunning views, a definite reason to do it! Most disappointing was the timing of the morning buses, they brought us to the start line almost an hour … MORE
Great course with stunning views, a definite reason to do it!
Most disappointing was the timing of the morning buses, they brought us to the start line almost an hour before start in the dark, cold, and rain — I don’t know why we needed to be there so early, there should be later bus options and one should be able to choose the bus time. Plus, I think heating foil blankets should be distributed in the morning, I was pretty miserable lying on the cold wet ground under the rain for 45min before getting ready for the start. Makes me less interested in doing it again.
Most gorgeous marathon I’ve ever run
Big Sur lives up to the hype. It’s the most gorgeous marathon I’ve ever run. The incredible scenery distracts from the over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Every time my … MORE
Big Sur lives up to the hype. It’s the most gorgeous marathon I’ve ever run. The incredible scenery distracts from the over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Every time my body started to complain I looked over at the redwoods and the ocean. The Bixby Bridge was everything I wanted and more. The weather was foggy so I heard the man playing the grand piano over the misty ocean cliffs. Absolutely stunning. I one million percent recommend this race.
Great way to start long distance running
This race is very well attended and well organized. Surprisingly, despite there being no audience along the trail, it is still a beautiful site. It's hard to describe what it's … MORE
This race is very well attended and well organized. Surprisingly, despite there being no audience along the trail, it is still a beautiful site. It’s hard to describe what it’s like being able to run down the PCH without any traffic.
Gorgeous scenery, amazing race!
Before completing the 11-miler, I had participated in the BSIM Relay twice. I have never regretted making the trip from Memphis to Big Sur for these races! I will definitely … MORE
Before completing the 11-miler, I had participated in the BSIM Relay twice. I have never regretted making the trip from Memphis to Big Sur for these races! I will definitely do the 11-miler again. I thought the distance was going to be a stretch for me, but the race-day atmosphere and magical scenery made the race go by so quickly! I was kind of sad to be finished. LOL. The fresh local strawberries toward the last few miles of the race were a nice touch. Even though it rained, the race was just a great as it was in years past. This is definitely a race you want to do in your lifetime!
Well organized & wonderful scenic race!!
What a wonderful rainy race day! Organization was smooth from the check-in, shake out run, bus ride, aid stations through to the finish line. This was my first marathon and … MORE
What a wonderful rainy race day! Organization was smooth from the check-in, shake out run, bus ride, aid stations through to the finish line. This was my first marathon and what a great one to start with!! I was honored to run for Semper Fi & America’s fund which made race weekend extra special!! The hills gave us better views! With the road closed the run was peaceful and magical!! Loved every minute of it!
A Major Bucket List Item
This is one of the best put together and beautiful races you will ever get a chance to experience. Everyone was so nice. The logistics were outstanding. My experience was … MORE
This is one of the best put together and beautiful races you will ever get a chance to experience. Everyone was so nice. The logistics were outstanding. My experience was first class from start to finish. I showed up at a site, got picked up by a nice warm and comfortable bus; was taken to the start. There was DJ with water and goodies there. Plenty of lighting at 5 am. We had a chance to put our extra gear in a bag and collect it later. Plenty of volunteers with smiley faces and goodies along the way. The finish line vibe was just fantastic!
Bucket List Race
I didn’t train for this race after retiring from running over the winter and was a bit nervous going into the 11 Miler. Once we started, I was so amazed … MORE
I didn’t train for this race after retiring from running over the winter and was a bit nervous going into the 11 Miler. Once we started, I was so amazed by the views of the ocean along the Big Sur coast and the vibes carried us. Mid-race I remember telling my friend that we are doing this race every year. SUCH a bucket list race. See you next year!
Most Excellent!
This is the first marathon I have ever run and I had a wonderful experience. I am grateful to all the people who made the Big Sur Marathon as fun … MORE
This is the first marathon I have ever run and I had a wonderful experience. I am grateful to all the people who made the Big Sur Marathon as fun as it was. Beautiful scenery, lots of great views of the ocean.
Beautiful views and a challenging course
The race is incredibly beautiful. It rained off and on the entire day, which put a bit of a damper on things. Nothing the organizers could do about the rain, … MORE
The race is incredibly beautiful. It rained off and on the entire day, which put a bit of a damper on things. Nothing the organizers could do about the rain, but they still had course entertainment out and doing the best they could. Bixby bridge was amazing, the strawberry station is just the push you need to make it to the finish. There’s a certain camaraderie to everyone running together without spectators, and anytime you hit a challenge just look around and take in the incredible views!!
A great challenge
This marathon is a great challenge and it is a beautiful course running along route one along the coast is absolutely beautiful Definitely one of the most scenic runs Hearing … MORE
This marathon is a great challenge and it is a beautiful course running along route one along the coast is absolutely beautiful
Definitely one of the most scenic runs
Hearing and seeing the piano player gave me a boost of energy and of course, the strawberries right before the finish the mile markers are great and had to stop and take a picture of them plenty of water along the way
Stayed with the pace group and met a lot of great runners definitely recommend this race
Favorite Marathon Rain or Shine
This is my second time doing Big Sur and first time on the original course. While the revised course in 2024 was already amazing, the original course kicks it up … MORE
This is my second time doing Big Sur and first time on the original course. While the revised course in 2024 was already amazing, the original course kicks it up 3 notches. The rain this year had me a little concerned but I quickly forgot about it as I started running. Coming out of Big Sur village and seeing the beautiful lush forest further energized me. The 2 mile climb to Bixby Bridge was a little windy but very manageable for me as my training runs frequently included some hills. The views of Bixby Bridge were the highlights and didn’t disappoint and would better even better on a clear day. The second half of the course featured breathtaking views of the ocean. The piano player, drummers, and fresh fruit offered along the course were nice touches to an absolutely amazing experience. My friends and I already have plans to come back next year and will invite even more people to join us. Fingers crossed that we win the lottery to run this again..
The most stunning scenery I ever done
The organization of the Big Sur Marathon was truly top-notch. Everything went smoothly—from bib pickup to on-course logistics, everything was perfectly run. The volunteers were helpful and cheerful, aid stations … MORE
The organization of the Big Sur Marathon was truly top-notch. Everything went smoothly—from bib pickup to on-course logistics, everything was perfectly run. The volunteers were helpful and cheerful, aid stations were well-placed, and the atmosphere throughout the race was very nice. The only bad thing was the weather, but not organizationfault 🙂 What makes the experience even more unforgettable is the breathtaking scenery along the course—truly the most stunning I ever done. A memorable experience—kudos to the organizers!
BIG SUR remains my favorite!
I've run over 40 marathons, several in other countries. This was my 5th Big Sur marathon. I keep coming back to run my favorite marathon for the incredibly beautiful course! … MORE
I’ve run over 40 marathons, several in other countries. This was my 5th Big Sur marathon. I keep coming back to run my favorite marathon for the incredibly beautiful course! Running over Bixby bridge (which brings me to tears) and the piano man are my favorite part. The big drums help getting to the top Hurricane Point. Incredibly well organized and a great, unique medal!
EPIC!
First time running the Big Sur International and distance, 21 miler. everything about this run was EPIC! The scenery and course! I wouldn’t mind running it again, however next go … MORE
First time running the Big Sur International and distance, 21 miler. everything about this run was EPIC! The scenery and course! I wouldn’t mind running it again, however next go around I’ll train harder for those rolling hills.
Amazing
While I am still fairly early in my 50 states journey this has to be one of my favorite courses so far. The scenery was amazing and had me with … MORE
While I am still fairly early in my 50 states journey this has to be one of my favorite courses so far. The scenery was amazing and had me with smiles on my face even on the challenging hills it throws at you. Outside that the aid stations and volunteers were top notch and some of the most friendly I’ve seen in a long time. I definitely hope to come back in the future.
Big Sur is a beautiful marathon to run.
Big Sur was a bucket list marathon for me. The course is very hilly and challenging but the beautiful scenery makes up for that. The musicians at the 11 mile … MORE
Big Sur was a bucket list marathon for me. The course is very hilly and challenging but the beautiful scenery makes up for that. The musicians at the 11 mile point and the piano man can be heard far before you reach them and are inspiring to hear as you run.