Course Map
About this Race
The Big Sur International Marathon is among the most scenic and demanding road races anywhere, a point-to-point journey down California's Highway 1 along the cliffs and surf of the Pacific coast. Its signature trial is the long, exposed climb to Hurricane Point around the halfway mark, followed by the iconic Bixby Bridge where a pianist plays as runners pass. Held in April, it contends with coastal wind and rolling terrain that make fast times nearly impossible and beside the point. The breathtaking, largely crowd-free scenery is the entire reward, with nature rather than spectators providing the atmosphere. It suits runners who want one of the world's most beautiful courses and are content to trade the clock for the view.
Course Insight
Big Sur is not a PB course but a pilgrimage: a point-to-point run down the Pacific Coast Highway with cliffs, surf and the long, exposed grind up Hurricane Point into a headwind that can feel relentless. Pace by effort, not the clock, because the climbs and the ocean wind will dictate terms whatever you planned. A pianist plays at the iconic Bixby Bridge, a surreal midway lift. Save your legs for the back-half rollers rather than spending them on the early descents. Come for the scenery, run within yourself, and the difficulty becomes part of the reward.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to significant climbing (527m), tough late hills.
Course Details
- Course type
- Point-To-Point
- Elevation gain
- 527m
- Elevation loss
- 618m
- Highest point
- 176m
- Lowest point
- 2m
- Net elevation
- -91m
- Start
- Big Sur
- Cutoff time
- 6h 0m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:16:39 — Brad Hawthorne (USA), 1987
- Women's
- 2:41:34 — Svetlana Vasilyeva (Russia), 1996
Race History
The Big Sur International Marathon was first held in 1986, running point-to-point down California's Highway 1 along the dramatic cliffs and surf of the Pacific coast. Famous for the long climb to Hurricane Point and a pianist playing at the iconic Bixby Bridge, it built a reputation as one of the world's most scenic and demanding road races. From its founding it became a bucket-list event prized for natural beauty over fast times. Run each April, it draws runners worldwide to its spectacular, crowd-free coastal route.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Monterey Regional (MRY), San Jose (SJC) & San Francisco (SFO)
- Best area to stay
- Carmel-by-the-Sea for charming hotels near the finish, Monterey for fuller lodging options, and Pacific Grove for quieter coastal inns.
- Getting to the start
- It's strictly point-to-point with no spectator access; board the mandatory official buses from Carmel in the pre-dawn dark for the ride south to the Big Sur start.