Big Sur International Marathon
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Elevation Gain
600m
Elevation Range
155m
Avg Temperature
55°F / 13°C
Course Profile
hilly
Course Map & Elevation
Course Overview
A hilly, point-to-point course along Highway 1 with approximately 600m of total climbing, starting at 75m and finishing at 15m. The relentless coastal rollers and the brutal Hurricane Point climb make this one of the toughest and most scenic marathons in the world. This is a destination race, not a PR course.
Key Segments
Big Sur Station to Point Sur
Terrain: Gradual descent from 75m to 25m through redwood groves, then coastal flats
Challenge: The gentle downhill tempts fast opening splits, but Hurricane Point is coming and you need every ounce of reserve
Tactic: Run 10-15 sec/km slower than what your legs want. Stay relaxed through Pfeiffer Big Sur and enjoy the river views. Take your first gel by km 10.
Hurricane Point Climb
Terrain: Steep sustained climb from 25m to 170m — the course's highest point. Exposed clifftop with fierce headwinds
Challenge: A 145m gain over 4km into a Pacific headwind. This climb breaks underprepared runners. Taiko drummers at km 16 mark the steepest section
Tactic: Shorten stride, increase cadence, run by effort not pace. Accept 30-60 sec/km slower splits. Power-hike the steepest pitches if needed. Save your legs for 25 more km.
Bixby Bridge to Garrapata
Terrain: Rolling coastal terrain with repeated 30-50m climbs and descents. Exposed to wind and sun
Challenge: The relentless rollers crush fatigued runners who thought the race ended at Bixby Bridge. Each hill feels bigger than it is on tired legs
Tactic: Settle into a sustainable rhythm. Use descents to recover, don't attack climbs. The pianist on Bixby Bridge (km 21) is the halfway celebration — enjoy it, then refocus.
Carmel Highlands to Finish
Terrain: Final rollers through Carmel Highlands, then gradual descent into Carmel. Finishes at 15m elevation
Challenge: Mental and physical fatigue from 31km of hills. The strawberries and belly dancers at km 35.5 offer a morale boost, but 7km remain
Tactic: Break this into two pieces: survive to Carmel city limits (km 38.5), then run the final flat 4km into town. The crowds build — let them carry you.
Race-Specific Training
- •Run back-to-back hilly long runs (e.g., 25km Saturday, 15km Sunday on hills) to simulate the cumulative fatigue of constant climbing on tired legs
- •Include long sustained climbs of 3-5km at 5-7% grade to prepare specifically for Hurricane Point — flat hill repeats are not enough
- •Practice running into strong headwinds on exposed terrain; if you can't find wind, run hard efforts on a treadmill at 2-3% incline to simulate resistance
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
Start at 75m, peak at 170m (Hurricane Point), finish at 15m. No altitude concerns.
Weather
Late April. Typical temps 8-16°C (46-61°F). Coastal fog and drizzle are common. Can clear to sunshine by midday.
Sun & Wind
Fierce headwinds are the defining weather feature, especially on Hurricane Point and exposed clifftops. Morning fog provides shade early, but afternoon sun exposure on the return stretch through Carmel Highlands.
What to Wear
Throwaway warm layers for the cool pre-dawn bus ride and start. Arm sleeves are ideal — remove as you warm up. Light singlet underneath. Wind-resistant vest optional for Hurricane Point.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| km 0-14 | 10-15 sec/km slower than goal pace | Bank energy for Hurricane Point. The downhill opening is not free time. |
| km 14-18 | 30-60 sec/km slower than goal pace (effort-based) | Hurricane Point climb. Run by effort, accept the slow splits. Power-hike if needed. |
| km 18-31 | Goal effort, not goal pace | Rolling terrain means pace will fluctuate. Focus on even effort through the Garrapata rollers. |
| km 31-42.195 | Whatever you have left | Survive the final hills, then use the flat finish into Carmel. Target 20-30 min slower than your flat marathon PR. |
Race Day Tip
You ride a bus to the start in complete darkness and wait in a field — bring an old blanket, warm clothes, and breakfast. The porta-potty lines are long. Also, don't obsess over your watch on this course: pause at the views, soak in the pianist on Bixby Bridge, and accept that this race is about the experience.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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