Run by effort, all day
With about 2,180 feet of climbing and a frequent headwind, pace targets mean little here. Pick an effort you can hold, let your splits swing, and judge yourself on finishing strong.
Big Sur to Carmel, CA · Sunday, April 25, 2027
Big Sur International Marathon race guide
Big Sur runs north along Highway 1 from the redwoods of Big Sur to Carmel, on a closed road above the Pacific. It finishes about 350 feet lower than it starts but climbs about 2,180 feet along the way, by the race’s own figure. The defining moment is Hurricane Point, a 520-foot climb in two miles to the course’s high point at mile 12, often into a headwind, followed by a piano at Bixby Bridge at halfway. The back half never stops rolling.
Pace plan
Plan your race on this course
Set your goal and start time. Your checkpoints, the time of day you’ll reach each one, and the course guide below all update to match.
Build your plan01
Pacing
A little slower on the climbs, a little faster on the downhills and flats, for the same finish time. Based on where this course climbs. Treat it as an effort guide.
The marathon starts at 6:45 a.m. at Big Sur Station. Everyone rides race buses to the start, so plan your morning around your bus time.
Splits
Your Big Sur Marathon02
Average pace
8:01/mi
- First half
- 1:45:22
- Second half
- 1:44:38
- Finish line
- 10:15 a.m.
Hover or tap a bar to see that mile.
| Checkpoint | Elapsed | Clock |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sur valleyMile 5 · Easy. Save everything | 39:23 | 7:24 a.m. |
| Little Sur River BridgeMile 9.8 · The climb starts here | 1:17:56 | 8:03 a.m. |
| Hurricane PointMile 12 · The high point. Let the pace go | 1:37:10 | 8:22 a.m. |
| Bixby BridgeMile 13.1 · Halfway. Enjoy the piano | 1:45:22 | 8:30 a.m. |
| Cutoff pointMile 15.2 · Must pass by 10:30 a.m. | 2:01:52 | 8:47 a.m. |
| Cutoff pointMile 21.2 · Must pass by 11:50 a.m. | 2:49:58 | 9:35 a.m. |
| Strawberry stationMile 23.2 · Three miles to go | 3:05:57 | 9:51 a.m. |
| FinishMile 26.2 · Rio Road, Carmel | 3:30:00 | 10:15 a.m. |
Save it to your phone, or send the link to the people cheering for you.
- Date
- Sunday, April 25, 2027
- Start time
- 6:45 a.m. PT
- Start
- Big Sur Station, Big Sur
- Finish
- Rio Road, Carmel
- Time limit
- 6 hours (13:45 per mile); Highway 1 reopens at 1 p.m. Reach mile 15.2 by 10:30 a.m. and mile 21.2 by 11:50 a.m.
- Elevation gain
- About 2,180 ft
- Official site
- bigsurmarathon.org
- Profile
- Downhill to mile 5, rolling, a two-mile climb to Hurricane Point, then rolling hills to Carmel
- Best for
- The scenery. Treat a time goal as secondary
- Biggest mistake
- Racing the first 10 miles and arriving at Hurricane Point with nothing left
- Cutoffs
- Mile 15.2 by 10:30 a.m., mile 21.2 by 11:50 a.m., and the road reopens at 1 p.m.
The course
Mile by mile, at your pace
- Miles0–5
The Big Sur valley Downhill
You start at Big Sur Station and run north through the redwoods along the Big Sur River, dropping about 290 feet to around mile 5. It’s shaded, quiet and easy. Keep it relaxed; the hard part is coming.
7:53 /miMile 5 at 39:237:24 a.m.
- Miles5–9.8
Andrew Molera & Point Sur Rolling
The road leaves the trees and rolls through ranch land past Andrew Molera State Park, with your first views of the ocean and Point Sur. A climb near mile 8.5 is a preview. Then you drop to the Little Sur River Bridge at mile 9.8, about 40 feet above sea level.
8:02 /miMile 9.8 at 1:17:568:03 a.m.
- Miles9.8–12
Hurricane Point Climb
The race’s signature climb: about 520 feet in two miles to Hurricane Point, the highest point of the course at 560 feet. Taiko drummers play halfway up, and the wind often comes straight at you. Shorten your stride, forget your pace, and run it by effort.
8:44 /miMile 12 at 1:37:108:22 a.m.
- Miles12–13.1
Down to Bixby Bridge Downhill
A fast descent of nearly 300 feet to Bixby Bridge at halfway, where a pianist in a tuxedo plays at the end of the bridge. Take in the view, then settle back down. There are 13 rolling miles left.
7:23 /miMile 13.1 at 1:45:178:30 a.m.
- Miles13.1–17.5
Rocky Creek to Garrapata Rolling
The highway climbs and drops between about 100 and 235 feet past Rocky Creek and toward Garrapata. Every downhill is followed by another climb. You must reach mile 15.2 by 10:30 a.m.
7:58 /miMile 17.5 at 2:20:209:05 a.m.
- Miles17.5–22.3
Soberanes & the Carmel Highlands Rolling
More rolling coastline past Soberanes Point, then a climb of about 120 feet to Yankee Point around mile 22, the last real hill. The cutoff at mile 21.2 is 11:50 a.m.
8:03 /miMile 22.3 at 2:58:589:44 a.m.
- Miles22.3–26.2
Point Lobos to Carmel Downhill
Down through the Carmel Highlands past Point Lobos, with strawberries at mile 23.2, then along the Carmel River to a short final rise and the finish at Rio Road. You’ve earned it.
7:55 /miFinish at 3:30:0010:15 a.m.
Every mile split for 3:30:00
| Mile | Terrain | Pace /mi | Elapsed | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downhill | 7:42 | 7:42 | 6:53 a.m. |
| 2 | Rolling | 7:59 | 15:41 | 7:01 a.m. |
| 3 | Downhill | 7:47 | 23:28 | 7:08 a.m. |
| 4 | Flat | 7:55 | 31:22 | 7:16 a.m. |
| 5 | Rolling | 8:01 | 39:23 | 7:24 a.m. |
| 6 | Flat | 8:03 | 47:26 | 7:32 a.m. |
| 7 | Rolling | 8:05 | 55:32 | 7:41 a.m. |
| 8 | Rolling | 8:05 | 1:03:37 | 7:49 a.m. |
| 9 | Climb | 8:12 | 1:11:49 | 7:57 a.m. |
| 10 | Downhill | 7:39 | 1:19:28 | 8:04 a.m. |
| 11 | Climb | 9:08 | 1:28:36 | 8:14 a.m. |
| 12 | Climb | 8:34 | 1:37:10 | 8:22 a.m. |
| 13 | Downhill | 7:21 | 1:44:31 | 8:30 a.m. |
| 14 | Downhill | 7:49 | 1:52:20 | 8:37 a.m. |
| 15 | Downhill | 7:55 | 2:00:15 | 8:45 a.m. |
| 16 | Rolling | 8:05 | 2:08:20 | 8:53 a.m. |
| 17 | Rolling | 8:01 | 2:16:21 | 9:01 a.m. |
| 18 | Rolling | 7:58 | 2:24:20 | 9:09 a.m. |
| 19 | Flat | 8:03 | 2:32:23 | 9:17 a.m. |
| 20 | Rolling | 7:59 | 2:40:22 | 9:25 a.m. |
| 21 | Rolling | 7:55 | 2:48:18 | 9:33 a.m. |
| 22 | Climb | 8:22 | 2:56:39 | 9:42 a.m. |
| 23 | Downhill | 7:42 | 3:04:22 | 9:49 a.m. |
| 24 | Rolling | 7:58 | 3:12:19 | 9:57 a.m. |
| 25 | Downhill | 7:54 | 3:20:13 | 10:05 a.m. |
| 26 | Rolling | 8:01 | 3:28:14 | 10:13 a.m. |
| Finish | Climb | 8:06 | 3:30:00 | 10:15 a.m. |
Lap your watch at each marker; GPS distance drifts over 26.2 miles. Even-pace card for 3:30:00
Race strategy
How to pace the Big Sur Marathon
Make the first 10 miles feel easy
The early miles are mostly downhill and sheltered, which makes them dangerously easy. Arrive at the Little Sur River Bridge feeling fresh, because the next two miles climb 520 feet.
Plan for the cutoffs
The course is strict: 6 hours to Carmel, with cutoffs at mile 15.2 (10:30 a.m.) and mile 21.2 (11:50 a.m.). If you’re near that pace, bank a little time before Hurricane Point.
The last few weeks
Train for this course
- Do long runs on hilly routes, with a sustained 2-mile climb around the middle of the run.
- Practice running into a headwind and on cambered roads, since Highway 1 is both.
- Train your quads for repeated descents in the second half of long runs.
Race-day weather
Late April on the Big Sur coast is usually cool, with the race listing typical temperatures of 50–60°F. Fog is common early, and the wind off the ocean is the wild card: on some years it’s a fierce headwind on Hurricane Point and the exposed back half.
Race morning
Getting to the start
- Race buses are required to reach the start unless you’re staying in Big Sur; Highway 1 closes early and there’s no parking or drop-off. You choose a pickup location in your race account in March.
- Runners staying in Big Sur can ride shuttles that loop Highway 1 near the start early on race morning.
- Return shuttles leave the finish village between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Aid stations are spread along the course, with gels at miles 12.2 and 19 and strawberries at mile 23.2.
Questions runners ask.
How hard is the Big Sur Marathon?
Hard. The race lists about 2,182 feet of climbing and 2,528 feet of descent, with the big climb to Hurricane Point at miles 10 to 12 and rolling hills the rest of the way. Most runners finish well off their flat-course time, and the views make up for it.
What is the time limit?
Six hours, about 13:45 per mile, because Highway 1 reopens at 1 p.m. You must also reach mile 15.2 by 10:30 a.m. and mile 21.2 by 11:50 a.m., or you’ll be taken to the finish.
How do I get into Big Sur?
Most entries come through a random drawing in late summer, plus guaranteed-entry options such as VIP, charity, tour and race-benefactor places. The field is about 4,500 runners.
Can friends and family watch on the course?
Very little. Highway 1 is closed and there’s no parking along the course, so plan to meet your runner at the finish village in Carmel.
Last checked October 21, 2026. This is an independent guide from Miles. We’re not affiliated with the race organizer. Start times, cutoffs, and logistics can change, so confirm everything on the official race site before race day.
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