Course Map
Route based on 2024 course — may differ slightly from this year.
About this Race
The Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is one of the fastest courses in the United States, a net-downhill point-to-point route from Ojai down to the Ventura coast in Southern California, largely on a smooth bike path. The consistent gentle descent and forgiving terrain make it a renowned Boston-qualifying and personal-best machine. Held in May, it typically offers cool morning conditions before the beachside finish. The scenery flows from mountains to ocean, with the descent doing much of the work. It suits the time-focused runner above almost all else, rewarding those chasing a qualifier on one of the country's quickest courses.
Course Insight
CIM is a net-downhill point-to-point from Folsom into Sacramento, a December classic and one of the great Boston-qualifier courses, gently descending in rolling waves the locals call rolling thunder. The descent is fast but the early rollers can trash quads if you take them greedily, so pace them with control. Cool, sometimes foggy December air is ideal for racing. The aid and crowds are excellent. Run the early miles under control and the downhill back half is yours.
Difficulty Breakdown
A balanced marathon with no single defining challenge.
Course Details
- Course type
- Point-To-Point
- Elevation gain
- 138m
- Elevation loss
- 238m
- Highest point
- 103m
- Lowest point
- 6m
- Net drop
- -100m
- Start
- Folsom, California
- Cutoff time
- 6h 0m
Race History
The California International Marathon was first held in 1983 and became one of the most popular and fastest Boston-qualifying races in the United States, a net-downhill point-to-point route from Folsom into Sacramento. Its favorable descent and cool December timing made it a magnet for personal bests. From its founding it grew into a frequent national championship stage. It remains a premier destination for fast times.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Sacramento International (SMF), San Francisco (SFO) & Oakland (OAK)
- Best area to stay
- Midtown Sacramento for proximity to the Capitol finish and characterful stays, downtown for central options, and Folsom for proximity to the start.
- Getting to the start
- It's point-to-point from Folsom; board the official early-morning buses from downtown Sacramento out to the Folsom start, as there's no other access.