Big Sur International Marathon guide

Sun, Apr 25, 2027 · Carmel, CA, USA · Start 6:45 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
Point-to-point: you start at Big Sur Station on Highway 1 and finish in Carmel, 26.2 miles north.
Convenient areas to stay
Carmel or Monterey; the official start buses only leave from those two areas. The expo is at the Monterey Conference Center.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time come from the official site but haven't been re-checked for this edition.
Plan around before race morning
  • Buses to the start leave between 3:30 and 5:00 AM. There's no other way to reach the start line.
  • Book your bus seat when you register.
  • Expect rolling hills and the long climb to Hurricane Point around mile 10–12.

Sources for Big Sur International Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
Big Sur Marathon Foundation
Date
Sun, Apr 25, 2027
Distance
Marathon
Start time
6:45 AM
Start location
Big Sur Station, Highway 1
Finish location
Carmel, California
Official race website

Verification date unavailable. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 10–11 · +291 ft
  • Mile 11–12 · +291 ft
  • Mile 16–17 · +112 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 12–13 · −313 ft
  • Mile 13–14 · −149 ft
  • Mile 9–10 · −142 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +54 / −137 ft · Official: 2,182 ft total gain, 2,528 ft loss; start 356 ft at Big Sur Station.
  • Mile 1–2 +54 / −137 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +54 / −117 ft
  • Mile 3–4 +54 / −86 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +54 / −86 ft
  • Mile 5–6 +85 / −54 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +85 / −54 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +85 / −54 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +71 / −54 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +54 / −142 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +291 / −54 ft · Hurricane Point — 500+ ft climb from mile 10 to 12, highest point of the course (560 ft).
  • Mile 11–12 +291 / −54 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +54 / −313 ft · Descent to Bixby Bridge (halfway).
  • Mile 13–14 +54 / −149 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +54 / −130 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +86 / −54 ft
  • Mile 16–17 +112 / −54 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +54 / −99 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +54 / −99 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +84 / −54 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +84 / −54 ft
  • Mile 21–22 +84 / −54 ft
  • Mile 22–23 +54 / −124 ft · Numerous rolling hills between miles 22 and 25.
  • Mile 23–24 +54 / −124 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +54 / −86 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +54 / −86 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +11 / −17 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 2.5

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 4.8

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 7.8

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 10.4

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 12.2

    GEL

    Official gel station. Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 14.7

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 16.9

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 19

    GEL

    Official gel station. Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 21.2

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 23

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 24.5

    Mile marker per official course information.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib visible on the front. Photo ID required at packet pickup; there is no race-morning pickup because of the remote start. Headphones are strongly discouraged on the open highway shoulders. No spectators are permitted on the course — Highway 1 is closed.
Cutoff times
6 hour course limit; Highway 1 must reopen to traffic, so runners behind pace are transported to the finish.
Transportation
Buses to the start depart Carmel and Monterey between 03:30 and 05:00 — there is no other way to reach the start line. Return transport from the finish runs to Monterey all morning.
Other notes
Point-to-point coastal course with significant rolling elevation. Course, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and are not yet officially verified — confirm timings and logistics with the organizer before race weekend.

Verification date unavailable. Source

Race week & expo

  • Portola Hotel & Spa — Monterey Conference Center

    2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA

    Fri, Apr 23, 202712:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    Sat, Apr 24, 20279:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Bib and shirt pickup in Monterey. Because of the early bus departures, collect your bib no later than the day before.
    ID requirements
    Photo ID required; third-party pickup allowed with a signed authorisation.
    Parking
    Paid garages in downtown Monterey adjacent to the conference centre.
    Transit
    Monterey-Salinas Transit serves downtown; most runners walk from Cannery Row hotels.

    Verification date unavailable. No source on file.

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

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