Big Sur International Marathon
Big Sur is a bucket-list point-to-point on Highway 1, where ocean views, Bixby Bridge, and Hurricane Point matter more than easy splits or PR math.
Quick facts
- Point-to-point highway course from Big Sur to Carmel.
- Official Boston qualifier with about a 6-hour limit.
- Entry often depends on drawing, charity, or travel-package paths.
- Scenic payoff is huge, but Hurricane Point keeps it from being an easy speed course.
About the Big Sur International Marathon
Runners do not pick Big Sur because it is simple. They pick it because very few marathons feel this specific: coastal California scenery, limited entry, and a route that asks for more patience and logistics planning than a typical road marathon.
Course
The course runs south to north on Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel, with Bixby Bridge around halfway, the piano performance, and the long climb over Hurricane Point shaping the day. It is certified and qualifying eligible, but the terrain makes it a strength race far more than a pure PR setup.
Race-day weather
Late April on the Big Sur coast can start chilly and damp, then shift with sun, wind, and marine air over the next few hours. Conditions are rarely extreme, but the open highway means you feel every change.
Past Big Sur International Marathon dates and results
| Year | Date | Status | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Sunday, April 25, 2027 | Upcoming | — |
| 2026 | Sunday, April 26, 2026 | Completed | Open results |
| 2025 | Sunday, April 27, 2025 | Completed | Open results |
| 2024 | Sunday, April 28, 2024 | Completed | Open results |
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Big Sur International Marathon FAQ
When is the Big Sur International Marathon?
The 2027 Big Sur International Marathon is on Sunday, April 25, 2027.
Is Big Sur International Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes. Big Sur International Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier. To use the result, you must run the certified full-marathon course within the qualifying window and meet the current standard for your age and gender. Meeting the standard lets you apply but does not guarantee entry, and net-downhill courses can receive a time adjustment under current B.A.A. rules. Review the Boston qualifying times and downhill-course rules, or browse upcoming Boston qualifier marathons.
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