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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My fave race
Incomparable and one of a kind! The positives - Unmatched scenery - the most beautiful course I run every year - Super organized - the Big Sur folks are pros. … MORE
Incomparable and one of a kind!
The positives
– Unmatched scenery – the most beautiful course I run every year
– Super organized – the Big Sur folks are pros. They don’t mess around.
– Challenging course – if you like a challenge, this one is beautifully challenging
The negatives
– Honestly can’t think of any
– Perhaps a negative is just how challenging the course is. And it can also be super windy.
The scenery cannot be beat!
Ran this race the year the course was changed to an out and back due to the road crumbling. It was a beautiful course and so happy we did it! … MORE
Ran this race the year the course was changed to an out and back due to the road crumbling. It was a beautiful course and so happy we did it! The start and finish line were very crowded. This year evryone started together (except the shorter distances.) They had coffee, tea and water. Needed more port-o-pots. I enjoyed the out and back. We got to see everything twice – the piano player and the drummers. Aid stations wered fine. A lot had fruit after half way and there was a strawberry stop (so good!) The scenery was the just the best. The hill were tough but I perservered. At the end they had vegetable soup (not hot enough) & handed out a box of food that was just okay & one free beer. The bag pick up was very organized. Wish they had a tent for runners to sit under after the race. The sun was blazing & we just wanted a place to sit down in the shade & enjoy or beer. We plan to go back next year to do the original course.
My 50th State: Perfect Race!
I was so fortunate to get in the lottery as it was always to be my 50th State. I have been having health issues the past year and had a … MORE
I was so fortunate to get in the lottery as it was always to be my 50th State. I have been having health issues the past year and had a poor performance in New Jersey 2 weeks prior so I was a little concerned. Disappointed as many of the course change that could not be avoided. But the Big Sur Race Committee is top notch, they know how to DO THIS! Adapted without a hitch and put on a great race. One of the best communicating races with emails & updates almost every other day. So organized from the Expo, Bus Pick up staging area, plenty of porta potties, course nutrition stations many with oranges!!, nice volunteers, police presence, to the end finish line. Any race that has chocolate milk at the finish is great in my book. I bought extra swag to remember this milestone and had a blast with family & friends. The weather was perfect. Personally, although I’m slow, I did my nutrition and hydration correctly and ran almost every hill and knew I would make it in the time limit easily. What a great feeling.
If there were any negatives: I did think we would have had a little better view at Point Lobos. It was boasted up but I didn’t even really recognize we were there. Also although the strawberry stand was very nice I was hesitant to take them as all of the distributors did not wear gloves. I wanted them so I took them anyway but it creeped me just touch. But that is literally all I can think of.
Thank you Big Sur for a fantastic memorable experience!!
Forget About Pace, Beautiful Experience!
Amazing scenery and location, worth it as a bucket list race at least once. The course is moderately difficult, with rolling hills, but none that are very serious. (Caveat: I … MORE
Amazing scenery and location, worth it as a bucket list race at least once.
The course is moderately difficult, with rolling hills, but none that are very serious. (Caveat: I ran 2024 where Hurricane Point was not on the course, so I can’t comment.) If you focus on experience and don’t care about your time, which is the approach I suggest for this course, then simply keeping your pace in check and not pushing too hard will be sufficient. (I didn’t do ANY hill training at all, and only did about 2 runs per week. Finished below 5 hours and felt great at the end.)
Very well run race, and highly organized. Even with all the last minute changes this year, communication was constant and they made very sure everyone knew what to expect on race day.
The swag is mediocre. The technical shirt seems cheap or cartoony to me, and I think it’s because of the full image on the back. I would have preferred a more stylized and modern look like much of their merch. Post-race snacks included, but no real meal or beer tickets. I do love the medal, a sort of sand dollar inspired design that feels very unique and coastal.
AMAZING course! The scenery, the people
The course is drop dead gorgeous. Plain and simple. Clips of it online don't do it justice. Even though I ran the modified out-and-back course due to the Highway 1 … MORE
The course is drop dead gorgeous. Plain and simple. Clips of it online don’t do it justice. Even though I ran the modified out-and-back course due to the Highway 1 accident, the course was amazing and I couldn’t have asked for a better race.
The people, including all the volunteers and the runners around me, were all so great as well. The people you are surrounded by can really make or break an event like this too. The piano man and the delicious fruits (and the STRAWBERRIES!!!) along the way were the cherry on top.
Would ABSOLUTELY recommend this race to all my friends and I hope that they’re lucky enough to be selected in the drawing! But only after I’m selected in the drawing first because I better come back next time 😉
Long Timer Listener First Time Caller
I first heard about Big Sur when running the Chicago Marathon in 2022 and knew right away I needed to add this to my list. I did not do this … MORE
I first heard about Big Sur when running the Chicago Marathon in 2022 and knew right away I needed to add this to my list. I did not do this for time, this was a victory lap. A breathtaking journey along California’s stunning coast, challenging yet rewarding, with scenic views that fuel every step. 🌊🏃♂️🌴and an electrifying atmosphere make the Big Sur Marathon a must for any avid runner.
hilly, but beautiful distraction view!
big sur is such a beautiful run. this was my first race ever, but i’m sure these views are nearly unbeatable. to think i live so close to this beautiful … MORE
big sur is such a beautiful run. this was my first race ever, but i’m sure these views are nearly unbeatable. to think i live so close to this beautiful gem and have not explored it is insane. running the 11 miler is well worth the views! my experience with all volunteers were positive.
Beautiful course!
Course: 2024 modified out and back course. Very scenic and beautiful. The hills (~2k elevation gain) were tough but not impossible. There were some windy areas but I think we … MORE
Course: 2024 modified out and back course. Very scenic and beautiful. The hills (~2k elevation gain) were tough but not impossible. There were some windy areas but I think we really lucked out. The piano man and drums were very cool to see!
Swag: The medal is very cool and different from the typical race medal. Long sleeve tech tee also came with the registration. They made it easy to trade out sizes after the race.
Expo: the expo was a decent size and they had some nice quality (although expensive) swag. Free bananas and sample of sports drinks.
Race organization: plenty of restrooms at the start/finish. They were scattered throughout the course as well. They served nuun sports drinks, bananas, oranges, Gu, strawberries on the course. Plenty of hydration and nutrition options. The race organizers had to pivot quickly because of a landslide and they succeeded in making the race a wonderful experience!
Loved it all until the race finish chute
I loved this entire race experience, even with all of the hills and the fact that I did not run well due to still fatigued legs from running the Boston … MORE
I loved this entire race experience, even with all of the hills and the fact that I did not run well due to still fatigued legs from running the Boston Marathon just 13 days prior UNTIL I entered the finish line chute. That is where my race experience became a not so great one. I have never in my 45 years of running hundreds of races experienced such a negative finish line experience. There were at least 3 extremely overzealous, rude & disrespectful volunteers in the red coats just trying to move us along, not caring that we needed some time to chill, reflect on, celebrate and photograph our big accomplishment that we just achieved. The chute was never crowded with finishers so there was no need to treat us so poorly! I was planning to go back next year to run the Boston2BigSur again on the original point-to-point course but because of such a negative finish line experience (and the $571.07 price tag) I decided that I WILL NOT return to run this race again. Usually I cry at finish lines because of the joy & elation that running races gives me. At this particular race finish line I cried because I was so hurt and angry by the abhorrent behavior of the race volunteers that clearly were not runners because they would never have treated us that way!
Great people, views, and hills
This race was phenomenal! Despite the highway closing weeks before, the event coordinators were very organized and adapted for the new course without any noticeable setbacks. The views were spectacular … MORE
This race was phenomenal! Despite the highway closing weeks before, the event coordinators were very organized and adapted for the new course without any noticeable setbacks.
The views were spectacular and the vibes of the course were incredible. There was a grand piano at mile 6, overlooking the cliffs. The music and scenery combined almost made me cry. I also really enjoyed the multiple drumming groups. Aid stations were nicely spread out and the people volunteering were the kindest I’ve ever encountered during a race (it’s like they actually wanted to be there!). I also appreciated the effort to reduce waste along the course and encouraging people to fill their own water rather than using the throw away cups.
The course itself was challenging. The first 3-4 miles I was crammed in with a lot of people and couldn’t really break out, but after that point space wasn’t an issue. The wind picked up after the turnaround point, making the hills that much more difficult. Although difficult, I appreciated that this course was more than just a fast and flat. The added challenge of climbing (especially that last hill at mile 25) felt more rewarding in the end.
Amazing
Beautiful course, not easy course. Strong recommendation. Will consider doing it again. Hard to resist stopping to take pictures. Climbs are somewhat steep, but, you catch up on downhills. MORE
Beautiful course, not easy course. Strong recommendation. Will consider doing it again. Hard to resist stopping to take pictures. Climbs are somewhat steep, but, you catch up on downhills.
Beautiful and Brutal
The organizers did a terrific job. The course was beautiful and well-staffed. The expo was well-organized and featured several vendors. Live music, food, and beer at the finish. After about … MORE
The organizers did a terrific job. The course was beautiful and well-staffed. The expo was well-organized and featured several vendors. Live music, food, and beer at the finish. After about 14 marathons, this was by far my most challenging. You’re either climbing or descending the whole time. It’s a fantastic challenge accompanied by the most beautiful scenery you can imaging. Highly recommend. Just don’t plan to PR.
Most beautiful, well organized
Great support, incredibly beautiful course, volunteers are great, SWAG is really great, transportation is smooth and on time and after celebration is fantastic. One of the best I've ever run. MORE
Great support, incredibly beautiful course, volunteers are great, SWAG is really great, transportation is smooth and on time and after celebration is fantastic. One of the best I’ve ever run.
Simply the best.
The scenery is out of this world. The organization and communication is so well done. When part of the route fell into the ocean a month before the race, forcing … MORE
The scenery is out of this world. The organization and communication is so well done. When part of the route fell into the ocean a month before the race, forcing organizers to scramble and find an alternate route, I was so impressed with how they handled it. They kept us informed, and come race day, everything was seamless.
The medals and post race snacks are bomb.
The course is challenging, but the scenery makes every hill worth it.
If you get to run Big Sur, count yourself lucky as I understand that it sells out most years.
Aid stations and porta potties are plentiful on course.
Orange slices were my favourite at the aid stations!
Loved it, missed original route!
Overall I loved the organization and the beautiful scenery of the half portion of the actual route. I wish I could’ve ran the original point to point, which is why … MORE
Overall I loved the organization and the beautiful scenery of the half portion of the actual route. I wish I could’ve ran the original point to point, which is why I’ll try again for next year. The rolling hills were unexpectedly tough, last 5k went by really slowly even though I was feeling good and energized, there was one last climb that hurt to the bones. It was still very much worth it!!!
Worth the challenge
This marathon was a true test of endurance, both physically and mentally. The breathtaking views along the route made every hill worth the climb. While I didn't finish this time, … MORE
This marathon was a true test of endurance, both physically and mentally. The breathtaking views along the route made every hill worth the climb. While I didn’t finish this time, the thought of conquering Bixby Bridge next year fuels my determination to train harder. I’d recommend this race, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Be prepared to push your limits and train diligently for the challenge ahead.
Incredible views and sights
The course is tough! Good hill training is needed for sure! I was very pleased by the views and all of the different incredibly supportive groups along the course. MORE
The course is tough! Good hill training is needed for sure! I was very pleased by the views and all of the different incredibly supportive groups along the course.
Absolutely Beautiful
Best Marathon Experience!! This was the most challenging marathon I’ve done thus far, but completely worth it. Training long miles during the winter in the cold and pretty much flat … MORE
Best Marathon Experience!! This was the most challenging marathon I’ve done thus far, but completely worth it. Training long miles during the winter in the cold and pretty much flat Midwest made the elevation gain of the course difficult, but it was doable. This was marathon #9 for me. My performance was not a personal best by any means, but will be remembered as one of the best marathon experiences. I can tell you that the course is like none other and absolutely something you cannot explain in words. The race origination has the best communication I have experienced and truly love the race that they put on. The course had to be rerouted a few weeks prior due to a portion of the road being washed out from all the rain. I was disappointed that I wound not be running the original point to point, but I do not feel like I missed out on any of the experience from doing an out and back route. The origination and the race is truly outstanding. Every runner should do this race at least once.
The most beautiful run you'll every do
The hills are real. The wind is too your face (almost the entire time). But...you wont even notice. Be in awe of the course completely and recognize the complete gratitude … MORE
The hills are real. The wind is too your face (almost the entire time). But…you wont even notice. Be in awe of the course completely and recognize the complete gratitude of getting to experience one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. You will probably not PR…and that’s ok. Take the pictures and the deep breathes. If you can run with someone, do it. Talk, laugh enjoy it all. It is an absolute blast of of race.
The most beautiful race!
One of the most breathtaking and scenic races I've ever participated in. Running amidst nature felt almost transcendental - nothing quite as motivating and peaceful as the rhythm of the … MORE
One of the most breathtaking and scenic races I’ve ever participated in. Running amidst nature felt almost transcendental – nothing quite as motivating and peaceful as the rhythm of the ocean beside me. The soothing sounds of waves, birds chirps, and the lush greenery of the hills propelled me forward on the challenging hills the course had. One of the best experiences of my life! ❤️ Thank you for all who partook in organizing and bringing this race to life!