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California International Marathon 2026: Everything You Need To Know
The California International Marathon takes runners from the Folsom area through a series of communities towards a finish at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Known as CIM, it is popular with runners aiming for a personal best or a Boston Marathon qualifying time, but it also welcomes people taking on their first marathon.
The 2026 race takes place on Sunday 6 December. Its course drops in elevation overall, with rolling roads in the first half and a flatter approach to the finish. That combination makes it a race where sensible pacing can pay off.
The Destination
Sacramento is California’s capital, and it offers plenty to explore around race weekend. The Old Sacramento Waterfront brings together historic buildings, shops and restaurants beside the Sacramento River. Nearby, the California State Railroad Museum tells the story of the railways that helped shape the region.
The California State Capitol is both a city landmark and the destination for your marathon. Sacramento also has a strong food scene, with restaurants making the most of produce grown in the surrounding region. Save a longer walk around the city for after the race if you want fresh legs at the start.
Where you stay deserves more thought than it might for a race that starts and finishes in the same place. Downtown Sacramento puts you near the finish, the expo and a main bus departure point. Folsom is closer to the start, but you will need to plan how to get back after finishing.
History Of The California International Marathon
The first California International Marathon took place in 1983. Its route from the Folsom area to Sacramento has remained a defining part of the event, giving runners a journey through neighbouring communities before the State Capitol finish.
Over the years, CIM has developed a reputation as a race where runners go after ambitious times. It is also an established community event, organised by a local running association and supported by volunteers along the course.
Who Organises The California International Marathon?
CIM is organised by the Sacramento Running Association, a nonprofit organisation involved in running events and programmes in the Sacramento area.
That local connection is part of the race’s appeal. The course passes through several communities on its way into the city, with volunteers staffing the aid stations and helping runners reach the finish.
When Is The California International Marathon 2026?
The 2026 California International Marathon is scheduled for Sunday 6 December. The marathon mass start is at 7:00am near Folsom Dam, and the race finishes at the California State Capitol.
It is an early morning even before the running begins. Check your assigned transport options and the organiser’s final race instructions well before you travel.
California International Marathon Expo
The CIM Expo is where runners collect their race packets. For 2026, it is scheduled for Friday 4 December from noon to 7:00pm and Saturday 5 December from 9:00am to 5:00pm at the Sacramento Convention Center on K Street.
The expo also brings together running brands, merchandise and race information. Allow time for collection when booking your trip: there is no race morning packet pickup. Check what identification and confirmation details you need to bring.
Race Morning
CIM starts near Folsom Dam and finishes 26.2 miles away in Sacramento. Marathon runners must use the organiser’s buses or shuttles to reach the start, so choosing a convenient pickup point is an important part of planning your weekend.
The buses leave early. Those from the downtown convention centre are scheduled to depart by 4:30am, with different times for other locations. Check the final transport information for the pickup point you intend to use, and take suitable clothing for the wait before the start.
Gear check is available at the expo and during bus loading at the designated downtown location, but there is no general gear check service at the start line. Read the final instructions carefully if you want clothing or other items waiting for you after the race.
California International Marathon Course
CIM is a point to point marathon with a net elevation drop of 366 feet. It begins near Folsom Dam, passes through communities including Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks and Carmichael, then enters Sacramento for the State Capitol finish.
The overall drop makes the course attractive to runners seeking a fast time, but it does not mean every mile is downhill. Rolling roads in the earlier part of the race require a measured effort before the flatter closing miles.
The Start And Opening Miles
The race begins near Folsom Dam, away from central Sacramento. The opening stretch takes runners towards Orangevale and Citrus Heights, with changing elevation as the field starts to settle. It can be easy to run too quickly here, especially if you have travelled to CIM with a target time in mind. Let the crowd spread out and find an effort you can sustain rather than forcing your pace on every rise.
Through Fair Oaks And Carmichael
The course continues through Fair Oaks and Carmichael. These communities give CIM a different feel from a marathon that stays on city centre streets throughout. You will see residential areas and local supporters as you work through the middle miles. The rolling terrain remains important. Run the rises with control and use the easier stretches to recover your rhythm. The relay exchange near mile 13.5 also provides a useful landmark as you move beyond halfway.
Into Sacramento
Later in the race, the route heads towards Sacramento and becomes flatter. That may sound appealing, but the miles can still feel demanding if you used too much energy on the earlier hills. Aid stations provide regular opportunities to take on fuel. The organiser lists 17 along the 2026 course, with water and a sports drink at each and additional fuel at three stations. Check the details before race day and practise your own nutrition plan in training.
The State Capitol Finish
The closing miles bring runners through Sacramento towards the State Capitol. After the succession of communities along the route, the finish gives the race a clear final destination.
Supporters should agree on a meeting point with you in advance. Roads and pedestrian access around the finish are affected on race day, so it may take time to find one another after you have crossed the line.
How Difficult Is The California International Marathon Course?
CIM is capable of producing fast times, but calling it flat would give runners the wrong impression. Its first half includes rolling hills, while the overall elevation drop and flatter finish become more helpful if you have paced those earlier miles well.
The race has a six hour course limit. Sweep runners set off after the final starters and mark the end of official course support. If you expect to be close to that limit, read the organiser’s rules carefully before deciding whether this is the right marathon for you.
What Makes The California International Marathon Special?
You start near Folsom Dam, run through several communities and gradually make your way into Sacramento, rather than repeatedly circling a small part of one city.
It also brings together runners with very different goals. Some arrive hoping to qualify for Boston or set a personal best; others want the satisfaction of completing their first marathon. The course gives each of them the same unmistakable destination at the State Capitol.
Is The California International Marathon A Fast Course?
Yes, CIM is a good option if you are aiming for a fast marathon. It is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying course, and its net elevation drop and flatter final section make it attractive to runners pursuing a time goal.
The best approach is to respect the rolling first half. Running every early downhill aggressively or pushing hard over each rise could leave you struggling when the course finally levels out. Aim for a controlled effort that gives you a chance to finish strongly.
Is The California International Marathon Good For First Time Marathon Runners?
It can be a rewarding first marathon if the six hour course limit suits your expected finish time. CIM has an established route, pace teams and frequent aid stations, and the journey towards Sacramento gives you a series of places to work towards.
Prepare for the practical side as well as the distance. Train on some rolling roads, practise your fuelling, collect your packet before race day and know exactly where to board your start line bus. Taking care of those details will make the early morning much easier.
How To Enter The California International Marathon 2026
Standard entries for the 2026 marathon have sold out. The organiser says its additional donation entry opportunity and Gold entry draw have also closed.
The official marathon transfer process is scheduled to open on 1 October. If you are looking for a place, use only the organiser’s Race Roster transfer system and check the current registration instructions before arranging travel. Availability will depend on existing entrants choosing to transfer their places.
Running The California International Marathon For Charity
CIM has an affiliated charity programme, and partner charities may have a limited number of marathon entries available. Contact a charity directly to confirm whether it has a 2026 place, what fundraising commitment applies and what support it offers.
If you already have your own entry, you can choose a cause that matters to you and fundraise as you train. The organiser’s separate donation entry option for 2026 has sold out, so check charity place availability rather than assuming a donation will secure a race entry.
Our Verdict
The California International Marathon combines the appeal of a fast course with a strong sense of place. Running from the Folsom area through local communities into Sacramento makes the miles feel like a journey, while the State Capitol provides a memorable finish.
Its net downhill profile deserves attention, but so do the rolling roads that come before the flatter final section. If you prepare for both the course and the early race morning logistics, CIM offers an excellent setting for an ambitious marathon goal.
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