🇺🇸Big Sur, USA
Big Sur International Marathon
Expected April 2027
Distance
42.2 km
Elevation gain
2100 m
Terrain
Road
Entry type
Open entry
PB potential
Extremely challenging — focus on finishing, not a PB
Beginner friendly
Recommended for experienced runners only
About this race
If Berlin is for your PB and New York is for the experience, Big Sur is for your soul. The course runs 42.2 km south along California's Highway 1 from Big Sur village to Carmel — arguably the most scenic stretch of road in North America. Every kilometre offers something astonishing: redwood forest, jagged sea cliffs, crashing Pacific surf, sea otters in kelp beds, and the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge at km 22, where a grand piano is placed for a pianist to play as runners cross. The 2,100m of elevation gain (and descent) is severe — the first half climbs Hurricane Point (a brutal 5km ascent) and the second half is relentlessly rolling. This is not a race for first-timers or PB chasers. But for runners who want an experience that transcends timing, Big Sur is irreplaceable. Entries sell out in minutes and are not available internationally — US residents only for the lottery.
Typical race-day weather
Temperature
10–18°C
Humidity
65–80%
Conditions
Coastal fog often at the start, clearing mid-morning
Wind
15–35 km/h — can be brutal on the exposed cliffs
Entry information
Next edition date estimated — confirm exact date with the official site.
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