Big Sur Marathon

BIG SUR: Big Sur Marathon  Race Date is Sunday, April 27, 2025, 6:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Big Sur to Carmel
Highway 1
Monterey County, California
$235-329, bsim.org

All events finish at Rio Rd. + Highway 1 in Carmel

• Marathon 6:45 a.m. from Big Sur Station
• Relay Big Sur Station  6:45 a.m.
• 21-Miler Big Sur Station  6:30 a.m.
• 11-Miler Andrew Molera State Park  7 a.m.
• 12K Grimes Ranch  7:35 a.m.
• 5K Rio Road + Highway 1, 7:35 a.m.

Marathon Race course:  Point to point race on Highway 1 from Big Sur Station to Rio Road + Highway 1, Carmel
USATF certified, official Boston qualifier
Requirements: Should be able to maintain 13:45 per-mile pace

Monterey County's stunning race along the Big Sur coast, with centerpiece iconic Bixby Bridge, located at the halfway point of the race, where you'll be greeted by a tuxedo-ed musician playing a Yamaha Avant Guard N3 piano. Course starts at Big Sur Station and ends at Rio Road in Carmel by the Sea. This sell-out event is produced by The Big Sur Marathon Foundation, a non-profit organization striving to create beautiful running events that benefit the community.

No vehicles allowed to Big Sur starting line. Registrants are taken on an approx. 1 hour bus ride to starting point with buses running from Carmel beginning at 3:30 a.m.

The Big Sur Marathon began in 1986 with 1,800 runners, and has grown continuously since first launched.  A cut off of around 4,500 runners keeps the event enjoyable and sustainable as of 2025.

Details may change!

START / FINISH is Big Sur to Carmel. Run along scenic Highway One, the nation's first nationally designated Scenic Highway. Monterey County's stunning race along the Big Sur coast, with centerpiece iconic Bixby Bridge, located at the halfway point of the race. Course starts at Big Sur Station and ends at Rio Road in Carmel by the Sea. 

Marathon total elevation gain is 2,182 feet and total loss is 2,528 feet.

No animals, pacers, skates, skateboards, bikes, baby joggers or children/infants in backpacks allowed on the course. No bandits. No exceptions. Due to the nature of the course, wheelchairs are strongly discouraged.

There's a pasta party and Finish Festival which includes a beer garden, foods, beverages, merchandise tent and runner reunion area to re-connect runners with their families and friends.

The course record of 2:16:39 set in 1987 by Brad Hawthorne . In 1995 the "Power Walk" was added, and in subsequent years additional walks (now "Milers" since participants have the option to either walk or run) were added. A 5K that had welcomed a schools competition for many years spawned a new kids' 3K run in conjunction with the marathon. This year the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge was introduced with the 400-person field filling immediately. The Big Sur Marathon has been called "one of the jewels of American running" and "one of the best running experiences on the planet." In 2009 and 2010 it has received honors as being named one of the country's top three marathons (along with New York and Boston), the "Best Destination Marathon in North America," one of the world's "Top Ten Races To Do Before You Die."

HEALTH & FITNESS Fifty vendors will present a variety of running and fitness gear and apparel, EXPO: nutrition items, race information and more. The Expo also offers free race clinics featuring running icons.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.