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The Big Sur International Marathon
- Sapphire Running Team
- Jul 20, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Looking for a stunning coastal marathon in the US. Give the Big Sur International Marathon a try
The Big Sur International Marathon is a sell out event and it's that for a reason. It has a small field and is run over a stunning route in Southern California that draws runners from all over the world. There's a lottery and if you're lucky enough to get a spot it's an event that you won't forget for a very long time. There's not just a marathon; there are plenty of other distances that give you an opportunity to experience this stunning place.
Big Sur
There are few more beautiful stretches of coastline anywhere in the world than Big Sur. Located off the famous Pacific Coast Highway, approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of Los Angeles, its rocky cliffs, majestic mountains, redwood forests and secret beaches set it apart. These include the unique purple sand beach at Pfeiffer Beach Garrapata beach in northern Big Sur, Sand Dollar beach in mid Big Sur has surfing access and an arched cave at the north end and the William H. Hearst State Beach Park in southern Big Sur, perfect if visiting Hearst Castle.
The present highway was completed in 1937 after eighteen years of construction at a considerable expense even with the aid of convict labor. The highway has since been declared California's first Scenic Highway, and it provides a driving experience unsurpassed in natural beauty and scenic variety.There are two major bridges which make travelling the road possible: Bixby Bridge and Big Creek Bridge. More on Bixby later.
Big Sur is in the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, 276 miles of linear shoreline and 6,094 square miles of ocean. The sanctuary contains kelp forests, North America’s largest underwater canyon, and a very diverse ecosystem and as a result the marine life is in great shape. Gray Whales migrate south around December and back north around March and Humpbacks are active in late summer. There are sea lions at Point Lobos, elephant seals at Ragged Point and otters are relatively commonplace. It's known by some as the “Serengeti of the Sea” as a result of the large number of marine mammals living in or migrating through the waters.
There's also plenty to see in the local towns and these include Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Marina and Salinas in the north and in the south, the closest towns are Cambria, San Simeon, Paso Robles and Morro Bay.
History of the Big Sur Marathon
The Big Sur Marathon was created by Bill Burleigh and first took place in April 1986, with 1,800 runners participating. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It was fixed in April to avoid a clash with Fall NFL and to ensure the best possible weather conditions.
Several shorter distance races were added over the years, which helped drive up the total field size. The Marathon reached its capacity of 4,500 very early. The 11-Miler debuted in 1989 and the 5K was established in 1992 . The 21-Miler began in 1995, along with the Marathon Relay and the 12k was added in 2003. The Monterey Bay Half Marathon (former Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay) began in 2003 and is the only Big Sur Marathon Foundation event to feature prize money and as a result attracts a quality elite field. The Half Marathon race weekend includes the Pacific Grove Lighthouse 5K and By-the-Bay 3K the day before the 13.1-mile event.
The Big Sur International Marathon organisation has evolved to be one of the premier non-profits on the Monterey Peninsula with a professional staff, a 12-person Governance Board and a 70+ member Events Committee. In 2014 the organisation adopted a strategic plan of future growth and new opportunities for collaborations and partnerships with businesses, and communities with common goals. In 2017, the organisation became the Big Sur Marathon Foundation.
Race Organiser
Big Sur Marathon Foundation. It's a nonprofit organisation that is supported by generous donations, grants and event entry fees. Each year BSMF is able to donate more than $400,000 to local nonprofits. Its mission is to create beautiful running events that promote health and benefit the community.
When is the Big Sur Marathon?
The race is held annually in April
Distances
Marathon, Marathon relay, 21 miles, 11 miles, 12k and 5k
Is there an Expo?
The Health & Fitness Expo is held at the Monterey Conference Center at 1 Portola Plaza in Monterey on Friday, and Saturday.
How many runners?
4,500 in the marathon, 100 teams x 4 in the relay, 1000 in the 21 mile event and 1600 in the 11 mile event, 950 in the 12k and 950 in the 5k.
The course
All runners have to take one of the free shuttle buses to the start at Big Sur Station and these are for entrants only, not spectators. It's a pretty major logistical operation and it feels like the New York Marathon, with bus loading begins at 3:30 a.m! All buses must be back to Carmel prior to 6:45 a.m. so the Marathon finish and 5K/12K start area can be constructed on the roadway. Make sure you have an early night before race day and set multiple alarms!
The 21 mile event is the first to go off, starting in a different location to the Marathon and Relay, at Andrew Molera State Park (5 miles up the road), at 6.30am. 15 minutes later marathons and relay runners begin their run from Big Sur Station, heading north up Highway 1 to Carmel. Big Sur Station is located in the heart (mile 46, Highway 1) of Big Sur at the Pine Ridge Trailhead. The Station is the main destination for visitors looking to explore the Big Sur Coast or backpackers needing information on the trail conditions of the Northern Los Padres Forest.
After two and a half miles it's Big Sur Village, the largest collection of shops and visitor services along this entire 71-mile stretch, even though its population is only around 1500. At 5 miles runners hit Andrew Molera State Park where the 21 mile runners left from earlier. It's one of California’s most diverse destinations, an outdoor lover’s paradise with 4,766 acres of rugged beauty. Pathways snake through river banks, redwood-covered hills, and lush meadows. The Park is home to the oldest standing structure in Big Sur, the original Cooper Cabin, built in 1862 and also well worth a visit is the Andrew Molera Ranch House Museum that details Big Sur’s rich heritage.
At 8.1 miles relays runners head to their next team members and it's then to Point Sur. Point Sur was a notorious hazard to navigation and claimed many lives, including 225 on board the USS Venture in 1875. This tragedy prompted the construction of the Point Sur Lighthouse, which opened on August 1, 1889. Just past ten miles runners cross the Little Sur River Bridge and then it's up the biggest climb to Hurricane Point, less than two miles later. you'll pass the Taiko drummers halfway up the climb who'll give plenty of inspiration. It's the highest point on the course at 560 ft.
From here runners can see the iconic Bixby Bridge. Located at the halfway point of the race, this architectural landmark was completed in 1932 and remains as one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world, spanning 714 feet in length. It's even better on race day as this is where you'll see a tuxedo-wearing concert pianist playing a grand piano! The second half of the course is more challenging, so make sure you have plenty left in the tank.
Two miles further north is Grimes Ranch, a great place to spot Condors. It's the next relay handover point and the start of the 11 mile event. It's then onto Garrapata Bridge, one of seven historic arch bridges along Highway 1. It was built in 1931 and is 285 ft long. At mile 13 it's Soberanes Point, a popular hiking spot and home of some of the most spectacular views along the course. Two miles later it's the final relay handover point. The climb from here to the top of Yankee Point, a mile later, is tough and then there's one more hill at Point Lobos, before the run to the finish. The Marathon Finish Village is at Highway 1 and Rio Road in Carmel next to The Crossroads Carmel shopping center. This is the finish for all events as well as the start area for the 5K and 12K. After crossing the finish line, runners will receive their medal, water, and a heat sheet if it's a cold day. There's live music, hot soup, a beer garden and a place to buy race gear.
There are 11 aid stations on the course. All stations feature Nuun Endurance first, then water. Refill stations for those with their own bottles are located at the end of every other station. Look for the signs for refill stations. Fruit is located at all stations starting at mile 10.4. GU is located at the stations near mile 12.2 and near mile 18.9. There are portable toilets located at each aid station. Each station also features medical personnel with minor first aid supplies.
What's unique?
Running this stretch of Big Sur on closed roads. And Bixby Bridge with the pianist! Unforgettable.
Do charities benefit?
Over $2m has been given to charities by the organisers since the first event. Each year charities can buy into the charity programme and secure guaranteed entries that they can then allocate to runners in exchange for a guaranteed fundraising pledge. This raises many more thousands each year for those partner charities.
Our verdict
There are very few events, if any, like this one. The landscape that the course runs through is very special. Yes, it challenging getting up so early to get the shuttle bus, but it's worth it. You are rewarded with life long memories. As you'd expect there are no crowds for the bulk of the race so you need to prepare for that. This gives you time and space to absorb what you're seeing around you; breathtaking scenery at every turn and views that are hard to describe. Enter now.
How to register
Online via the website. There is also information about tour operator entries and the guaranteed entries from the charities. The Marathon opens in August and periodic allocations are made to those that have entered by the deadline, a few weeks later. It is very difficult to get a spot so the sooner you begin the process the better.
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