Runners spread across a city avenue during a marathon

Big Sur International Marathon

The Big Sur International Marathon follows the California coast along Highway 1, between Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Prepare for Big Sur International Marathon

A plan built from your answers and your race date.

The Big Sur International Marathon follows the California coast along Highway 1, between Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The route is a fully paved point-to-point perched above the Pacific, alternating between cliff edges, bridges and coastal forest. Headwind and the temperature shifts between exposed headlands and sheltered draws are part of the experience.

The profile is decidedly hilly, with the long, exposed climb to Hurricane Point as its centerpiece, placed in the first half of the marathon. Five distances share the same morning: marathon, 21-Miler, 11-Miler, 12K and 5K, so runners can pick their level of commitment.

The formats

5 formats on the program.

Format	Distance
Marathon	26.2 mi
21-Miler	21 mi
11-Miler	11 mi
12K	7 mi
5K	3 mi

Organizer information, checked on September 21, 2026 · bigsurmarathon.org

When to start

A build for this distance usually runs 12 to 20 weeks. Counted back from race day, that puts the start somewhere between November 30, 2026 and January 25, 2027.

These ranges are working conventions, not a research finding — no trial has compared plan lengths against each other. What matters more is that the plan was built for the weeks you actually have, rather than shrunk down from a longer one.

How to choose your start date

When to start

November 30, 2026

→ January 25, 2027

Worth reading before you enter

Races and distances 10K, half, marathon: what each one really asks They are all running. They are not the same event. What limits you, how long you need, and how the race falls apart — all three change with the distance. Read Races and distances The big marathons: what each one actually demands A marathon is 42.195 km everywhere. What changes is the profile, the crowd, the weather you are likely to get — and so what your training should emphasise. Read Training Eating and drinking: what’s proven, what isn’t This is where confident advice most often runs ahead of the evidence. Some of it is well tested. Some is opinion wearing a number. And one common habit can kill you. Read

Questions

What is the date of Big Sur International Marathon in 2027?

Big Sur International Marathon is run on Sunday, April 25, 2027 in Big Sur / Carmel-by-the-Sea. Date published by the organizer, checked on September 21, 2026.

Is the Big Sur Marathon course hard?

Yes, in its own way. The point-to-point route on Highway 1 is genuinely hilly, headlined by the long climb to Hurricane Point. Nothing is technical, but the rollers rule out chasing a personal record.

What distances does the Big Sur Marathon offer?

7 km, a 12K over 12 km and a 5K over 5 km, all on the California coast.

Other races

This list keeps growing; it draws no line. A race that is missing is prepared for in exactly the same way.

Lake Buena Vista (Orlando) · United StatesMarathon Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Jan 6 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is a road-running weekend staged at Lake Buena Vista near Orlando, Flo Houston · United StatesMarathon Chevron Houston Marathon / Aramco Half Jan 17 The Chevron Houston Marathon is a road marathon run in Houston, Texas, alongside the Aramco Houston Half Miami · United StatesMarathon Life Time Miami Marathon & Half Jan 31 The marathon, half marathon and 5K are all run on a flat coastal course. Your race is not here? Tell us about your race You can prepare for it all the same. Any race, anywhere, and even a goal without a race.

Your race is on the calendar. Your plan should be too.

Build my plan

Secure payment with Stripe. Then allow about 30 minutes for your profile, in several sittings if you like.