Next race
Sunday, 25 April 2027
6:45 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic coastal road
Elevation
Hilly · 250 m gain
250 m climbing
Race profile
The Big Sur International Marathon is widely regarded as America's most beautiful marathon, drawing about 4,500 runners each April on a point-to-point along California's Highway 1. The course passes the iconic Bixby Bridge at mile 13, McWay Falls viewpoints, and the rugged Big Sur coastline. It is not a personal-best course — the hills and cliffside scenery are the reward.
Big Sur International Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 4,500 finishers
Course & terrain
The Big Sur International Marathon is a point-to-point run from Big Sur to Carmel on Highway 1, with constant Pacific views and the iconic Bixby Bridge around halfway. Sustained rolling climbs through the coastal headlands make conservative pacing essential, while spectators concentrate at Bixby Bridge, coastal viewpoints, and the Carmel finish.
The Big Sur International Marathon course is hilly over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 250 metres of climbing and 200 metres of descent, with a net climb of 50 metres from start to finish.
Hilly · 250 m gain — approx. 44 m above sea level
↑ 250 m · ↓ 200 m · net +50 m
Registration
The Big Sur International Marathon uses a lottery system through bigsurmarathon.org, with applications typically accepted for about two weeks in late November for the April race. Demand far exceeds the roughly 4,500-runner field on the closed Highway 1 course, and acceptance is not guaranteed. A limited number of charity bibs are available through official partner organisations.
Getting there
Monterey (MRY)
Monterey Regional Airport
35 km / 22 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Big Sur.
The Oakland Marathon draws approximately 1,700 finishers each March on an urban road in Oakland, United States. Its course showcases Oakland's different districts more fully than most Bay Area races do. The route passes Lake Merritt, Jack London Square, and eclectic East Bay neighborhoods with bay-side views. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 21 March 2027
The San Francisco Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers on an urban road in San Francisco, United States. The course starts and finishes along the Embarcadero. The route crosses the Golden Gate Bridge, passes the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and the Haight. Hilly throughout, with the steepest climbs in the Presidio and through Golden Gate Park.
Next race: Saturday, 31 July 2027
The Santa Rosa Marathon draws approximately 1,600 finishers each August on a wine-country road in Santa Rosa, United States. Its summer date works because the race begins early before Sonoma County heat builds. The route passes vineyard-lined roads, rural bike paths, and shaded stretches along Santa Rosa Creek. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 1 August 2027
The Sacramento Marathon — universally known as the California International Marathon (CIM) — draws approximately 4,000 finishers each December on a fast point-to-point road from Folsom to downtown Sacramento. The net-downhill course drops roughly 103 metres through the Sierra Nevada foothills before finishing on Capitol Mall in front of the California State Capitol. Cool early-December weather and a USATF-certified profile make it one of the most reliable Boston-qualifier races in the western United States.
Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026
The Napa Valley Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each March on a point-to-point road in Calistoga, United States. It is one of the most famous wine-country marathons in the world and stays intentionally low-key despite strong demand. The course passes vineyards, winery estates, and quiet Silverado Trail miles backed by low hills. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Friday, 5 March 2027
The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon draws approximately 1,750 finishers each April on a point-to-point road in Ventura, United States. Southern California's premier spring Boston qualifier — a distinct April event from the winter Ventura Marathon, with a spectator-friendly Ojai loop and roughly 700 feet of net descent. The April point-to-point route loops East Ojai at the start, passes Meiners Oaks countryside, the Ventura River basin, the paved Ventura River bike path, downtown Ventura, and a final mile along the Pacific. It is a separate spring race from the February Ventura Marathon (https://www.marathonfocus.com/marathons/ventura-marathon), which uses a shorter Ojai start and the Ojai–Ventura bike path without the opening loop. The route is net downhill overall.
Next race: Friday, 16 April 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
