California International Marathon guide

Sun, Dec 6, 2026 · Sacramento, CA, USA · Start 7:00 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
Point-to-point: you start at Folsom Dam and finish at the California State Capitol in downtown Sacramento.
Convenient areas to stay
Downtown Sacramento, where the start shuttles leave, the finish is and the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center expo is held.
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
  • Official start shuttles leave downtown hotels between 4:45 and 5:30 AM.
  • Parking at the start is very limited, so don't plan to drive.
  • The course is net downhill but rolling; don't go out too fast.

Sources for California International Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
Sacramento Running Association
Date
Sun, Dec 6, 2026
Distance
Marathon
Start time
7:00 AM
Start location
Folsom Dam
Finish location
California State Capitol
Official race website

Verification date unavailable. Source

Course

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

Significant climbs

No notable climbs on file.

Significant descents

  • Mile 0–1 · −27 ft
  • Mile 1–2 · −27 ft
  • Mile 2–3 · −27 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +13 / −27 ft · Net downhill (366 ft net drop, official) with rolling hills in the first 13 miles. Course totals ≈ 340 ft gain / 706 ft loss (source: official net drop; gross totals estimated).
  • Mile 1–2 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 3–4 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 5–6 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 13–14 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 16–17 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +13 / −27 ft · Final six miles are flat into Sacramento.
  • Mile 21–22 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 22–23 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 23–24 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +13 / −27 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +3 / −5 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 2.2

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 4.2

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 6.4

    GEL

    Official gel station. Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 8.5

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 10

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 12

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 13.6

    GEL

    Official gel station. Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 15.1

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 16.5

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 17.9

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 19.4

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 20.4

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 21.4

    GEL

    Official gel station. Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 22.3

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 23.5

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 24.5

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 25.3

    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-day pickup. Headphones are discouraged. Personal bottle tables are available for qualified runners only; no unregistered runners or pacers.
Cutoff times
6 hour course limit, with intermediate checkpoints; the course reopens to traffic behind the sweep vehicle.
Transportation
Point-to-point course — take the official start shuttles from downtown Sacramento hotels, departing between 04:45 and 05:30. Parking at the start is very limited.
Other notes
Net-downhill point-to-point course, popular for Boston qualifying. 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

  • SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

    1401 K St, Sacramento, CA

    Fri, Dec 4, 202611:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Sat, Dec 5, 20269:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Bib and shirt pickup at the expo, which closes the evening before the race.
    ID requirements
    Photo ID required. Third-party pickup permitted with a signed authorisation.
    Parking
    Paid city garages on K and L Streets.
    Transit
    Sacramento RT light rail to the Convention Center stop.

    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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