Big Sur International Marathon
Big Sur, CA
Official Website : http://www.bsim.org/site3.aspx
Date : April 25, 2010
Race Type : Running
Race Distance : Marathon
Race Description: The Big Sur Marathon is 26.2 miles of the most beautiful coastline in the world - and, for runners, the most challenging. The athletes who participate in the Big Sur International Marathon may draw inspiration from the spectacular views, but it takes major discipline to conquer the hills of Highway One on the way to the finish line.
Named "Best Marathon in North America" by The Ultimate Guide to Marathons, the Big Sur International Marathon continues to sell out earlier and earlier each year and, as a major destination marathon, draws entrants from all over the world. On their way from Big Sur to Carmel's Rio Road, runners wind through majestic redwoods and past Pacific Ocean views. Classical music—including a grand piano poised on Bixby Bridge—greets marathoners at each turn, providing inspiration that has been likened to a spiritual experience.
8 Reviews for Big Sur International Marathon
What fun! I thought I had died and gone to heaven on the climb down to Bixby Bridge, when I caught my first earful of the grand piano playing 'like a bridge troubled water', hurricane point in my dust. The energy in this race was just amazing. There were a surprising number of spectators, lots of great, well-placed music. The runners were there to enjoy themselves, which led to fun chemistry on the course.
My only complaint is that because of all the different races going on which were timed to finish at the same time as the marathon, the last couple of miles were extremely congested. Weaving around people was the last thing I wanted to do at that point in the race!
Overall an amazing experience, and I would definitely run this again.
I did the marathon relay this year and had one of my best races ever. This is my third year doing this race and every year the weather is completely different! For 2009 there was overcast skies, temperature in the 50-60F range with a very strong headwind. I ran Leg 1, which started the race and is primarily in a redwood forest for about 5 miles. I was very happy with the start organization. The quicker runners were asked to line up nearest the start and the slower were asked to go back and line up near people holding 'pace' signs such a 5:00 and 5:30 completion times. This is great to help minimize getting trampled by fast runners. There were two sweat drops - one near the chaotic porta potties and one uphill of the start which was much less crowded. Relay teams were also given disposable timing chips this year for their shoes - a very nice touch that made time spent at the finish line only used on food, beer and sweat pickup. The shuttle buses were on time, though leaving at 4:15 for leg 1 is tough, but I had too much adrenaline to sleep anyways (and promptly crashed at the hotel room for 3 hours post-race!).Scenery can't be beat! Can't wait to do a new leg next year!
I'm still debating whether this or Ironman Coeur d'Alene was harder. The scenery was gorgeous but the head winds were horrible. It's definitely not the place to PR but to see what you are capable of. It definitely sucked to get up at 3am, but it's understandable when they have to bus everyone out to various starting locations. The only problem I had with the race was that they didn't have any food or gels on the course till mile 13. It would have been helpful to know that before hand, so I could have carried something with me.
Incredible experience. It isn't fun getting up at 3AM to get to the bus to get to the start line, but in the scheme of things, that isn't a big deal. The volunteers are extraordinary, the scenery unbeatable and the overall experience is tremendous. If you are only going to run one marathon in your life, make it this one.
This is a gorgeous race that lives up to its difficult reputation especially this year ('09) with the addition of some 20 mph headwinds and pretty cool temps. Most people have heard of this race's great reputation, but it is not without its faults. The hotels love to jack up their rates for the weekend, my wife and I even went to the trouble of finding one near the finish in Carmel, only to be told at packet pickup that there were no spaces left to leave from the finish, but instead have to drive back up to Monterrey at 3:30am to catch the bus to drive back through Carmel! Luckily we had great friends who dropped us off in Monterrey so we could leave a car near the finish. My second complaint echos one of Marty's, the fact that they shove so many races into the day that the main event sacrifices its prestige to 4 other races going on so the course is packed, you have to freeze your ass of for 2 hours for the race to start and you finish the race mixed with the walkers. But all told, this race is worth doing at least once (I have raced it twice now, the first being in '02)
We did the relay and hated it for the following reasons:
- Early start. Had to be on buses by 4:30am to get bused to start.
- No individual split times
- Race was mixed in with 4 other races including walkers which made it hard to know where you were in the race and unclear to spectators what was going on.
- We won the race and got some plaques, nothing else
- The food on the course and post-race was healthy yet unsatisfying.
- There was little or no transport of relay runners back to the finish.
We liked it for the following reasons:
- Unlimited beer at the Michelob Ultra beer tent.
Want a challenge and be inspired by the beauty of nature? Then head to the Central Coast of California and participate in the Big Sur Marathon.
It is a race for the brave of heart due to the rural nature of the course and not a lot of crowd support, but the vistas are worth every step of this unique marathon. Lots of uphills and downhills, but with the end goal in mind of the finish line in Carmel and friends and family waiting to cheer you along the last push, will carry you through. The one long grind is at Hurricane Point. A steady uphill march but to reach the top was a highlight. Not too far after that you see a sign on the side of the course that says, "Look back and see where you have just come." It is nothing short of AMAZING. The California Coast with the wild ocean and rocks in the sweeping vista make this a race I would highly recommend. I am very proud that I can say I have done the Big Sur Marathon. Now you go and do the same!!
Quite simply the most scenic marathon course in the world. The views from Highway 1 are incredible, and you will never forget the climb up and down Hurricane Point. Add to all of this live music all along the course and you have the perfect race!