California International Marathon
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Elevation Gain
100m
Elevation Range
91m
Avg Temperature
48°F / 9°C
Course Profile
flat
Course Map & Elevation
Course Overview
The premier Boston Qualifier course in the US: a net-downhill, point-to-point course dropping ~104m from Folsom Dam (112m) to the State Capitol (8m), with 100m of total climbing in gentle rollers concentrated in the first half. The one thing that makes CIM unique is the second half that flattens dramatically — if you arrive at halfway with energy in reserve, the flat final 20km is built for a PR.
Key Segments
Folsom Dam Descent through Orangevale
Terrain: Net descent from 112m to 51m with rolling hills. One notable uphill at km 1 and generally downward trending.
Challenge: The sustained downhill tempts aggressive early splits that will damage quads for the later miles
Tactic: Run 5-10 sec/km slower than goal pace. Shorten stride on descents to protect quads. Do not bank time — bank energy.
Fair Oaks Rollers
Terrain: Rolling hills between 44-61m with notable climbs at km 13-14.5 and km 18.5-19.5. The hilliest section of the course.
Challenge: Four distinct rollers that punish runners who went out too hard in the opening descent
Tactic: Run by effort on the climbs, recover on descents. Arrive at halfway with energy in reserve — the real race starts at km 21.
Carmichael Flats to Sacramento
Terrain: Dramatic flattening along Fair Oaks Blvd, descending gently from 47m to 23m. Nearly flat with minor grade changes.
Challenge: The transition from rolling to flat requires a mental gear shift. Rhythm is key on this long, straight section.
Tactic: Lock into goal pace. This is where patient racing pays off. The flat terrain is your friend — use it.
Downtown Sacramento Finish
Terrain: Flat, descending gently from 23m to 8m through East Sacramento and downtown to the State Capitol
Challenge: Fatigue is the only obstacle — the terrain is perfect for a strong finish
Tactic: Open your stride, maintain cadence. The crowd builds toward Capitol Mall. If you saved energy, this is PR territory.
Race-Specific Training
- •Include weekly downhill running (sustained descents of 3-5km at 1-2% grade) to eccentric-load your quads — CIM's gentle grade is deceptive and catches undertrained quads by km 30
- •Practice negative-split long runs where you run the first half 10-15 sec/km slower than the second to simulate CIM's rolling-to-flat profile
- •Train on a point-to-point course at least once to rehearse the mental discipline of not banking time on early downhills
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
Start at 112m (Folsom Dam), finish at 8m (State Capitol). No altitude concerns.
Weather
Early December. Typical race-morning temps 2-6°C (36-43°F), warming to 10-15°C (50-59°F) by late morning. Ideal conditions for a PR. Occasional fog in the Sacramento Valley.
Sun & Wind
Low December sun angle. Fair Oaks Blvd can be exposed. Minimal wind in typical conditions but valley fog can make the first hour damp and cold.
What to Wear
Disposable warm layers essential for the start at Folsom. Plan for a warm finish — what feels right at km 1 will be too warm by km 30.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| km 0-10 | 5-10 sec/km slower than goal pace | Protect quads on the downhill. Bank energy, not time. The first half rollers are coming. |
| km 10-21 | Goal pace, effort-based on rollers | Accept slower pace on the four climbs. Run by effort. Arrive at halfway feeling strong. |
| km 21-35 | Goal pace | Flat terrain — lock into rhythm. This is where CIM BQ runners make their race. |
| km 35-42.195 | Goal pace or faster | Flat into downtown Sacramento. Open stride and finish strong at the State Capitol. |
Race Day Tip
CIM buses to the start leave very early (around 4:30 AM) and the wait at Folsom can be 60-90 minutes in near-freezing temps. Bring an old sleeping bag or heavy blanket for the wait — most first-timers drastically underestimate how cold the pre-dawn staging area is.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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