Big Sur International Marathon

The 2024 Big Sur International Marathon, will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024. It will start at 6:45 AM from the Big Sur Station in Big Sur, California.

The route follows the picturesque Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel, which is the nation’s inaugural nationally designated Scenic Highway. This course showcases towering redwoods, crashing waves, coastal mountains, and lush green pastures, making it a must-try for any bucket list. The iconic Bixby Bridge serves as the centerpiece at the race’s midway point. The course is USATF certified and holds official Boston qualifier status. Traffic resumes on the course at 1:00 PM, marking an approximate 6-hour course limit, just over a 13:45 pace per mile.

The Marathon accommodates around 4,500 participants. All entrants must be at least 16 years old, in good health, and adequately trained. The Big Sur International Marathon (BSIM) is a demanding course with a 6-hour cutoff time (13:45 per-mile pace). The event concludes officially at 1 PM when the course reopens to regular two-way vehicular traffic. No support, including aid stations, medical assistance, and communications, will be available for participants not maintaining a 6-hour pace. Participants who do not reach marathon mile 15.2 by 10:30 AM or mile 21.2 by 11:50 AM will not proceed beyond that point and will be provided transportation to the finish.

Bus Transportation

All participants are provided free transportation from various Monterey Peninsula locations to the Big Sur Station start. Official runners must present their race bib number and bus ticket for boarding. Buses begin loading at 3:30 a.m. Early departures are necessary due to the one-hour, safe travel time to Big Sur along a narrow, winding road in the dark. Departures are staggered between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. to accommodate the logistics of moving thousands of runners.

Aid Stations

Water (in cups or, preferably, by using your water bottle) and Nuun Endurance will be available at all aid stations. Fruit will be provided at later stations, and GU can be found at stations 5 (mile 12.2) and 8 (mile 19.0). Personal hydration devices can be refilled at the end of each station. Aid stations are located as follows:

#1: Mile 2.5
#2: Mile 4.8
#3: Mile 7.8
#4: Mile 10.4
#5: Mile 12.2
#6: Mile 14.7
#7: Mile 16.9
#8: Mile 19.0
#9: Mile 21.2
#10: Mile 23
#11: Mile 24.5

2024 Big Sur International Marathon Course Map

The course is both scenic and challenging, featuring a total elevation gain of +2,182 feet and a total loss of -2,528 feet. The most extended ascent is the 500-plus foot climb between miles 10 and 12, with several rolling hills scattered between miles 22 and 25.

Marathon Awards

To qualify for overall and divisional awards, participants must register a time at split timing mats near specific miles.

Awards, based on GUN time, include the top five male and female finishers and top three masters (40 and over) in both genders. Divisional awards, based on CHIP time, cover five-year age groups with double-dipping allowed after 16-19.

Special division awards, based on CHIP time, exist for Monterey County Residents, Active Military, and participants in the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge.

Participants must select a specific box during registration for special division eligibility.

The awards ceremony starts at 11:30 AM in the finish area.

Big Sur International Marathon Registration

To register, visit the official website of Big Sur International Marathon. The registration fees are as follows:

• Domestic Participants – $265
• International Participants – $299
• Monterey County Participants – $215