Don’t spend the downhill
The opening drop makes goal pace feel easy. Run it at goal pace, not faster: the time you bank in the first three miles usually comes back with interest on the Fair Oaks rollers.
Folsom to Sacramento, CA · Sunday, December 6, 2026
California International Marathon race guide
CIM runs point to point from Folsom Dam to the State Capitol in Sacramento and drops a net 366 feet, which is why it’s one of the most popular Boston qualifiers in the country. The downhill isn’t steady, though. The first 16 miles roll, with real rises in Fair Oaks and Carmichael, before the road tilts gently down and then flattens out for the last 10K. Runners who treat the early downhill as free time pay for it on the rollers.
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 race starts at 7:00 a.m. Later corrals cross the line up to about 30 minutes after that.
Splits
Your CIM02
Average pace
8:01/mi
- First half
- 1:44:59
- Second half
- 1:45:01
- Finish line
- 10:30 a.m.
Hover or tap a bar to see that mile.
| Checkpoint | Elapsed | Clock |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving FolsomMile 3.5 · Should feel easy. If not, slow down now | 27:52 | 7:28 a.m. |
| Downtown Fair OaksMile 10.1 · Past the biggest roller | 1:20:52 | 8:21 a.m. |
| HalfwayMile 13.1 · Even pace or a few seconds ahead is fine | 1:44:59 | 8:45 a.m. |
| CarmichaelMile 16 · The road starts to tilt downhill | 2:08:11 | 9:08 a.m. |
| Howe AvenueMile 21.4 · Flat from here to the finish | 2:51:22 | 9:51 a.m. |
| Sutter’s FortMile 24.5 · Under two miles to go | 3:16:13 | 10:16 a.m. |
| FinishMile 26.2 · California State Capitol | 3:30:00 | 10:30 a.m. |
Save it to your phone, or send the link to the people cheering for you.
- Date
- Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Start time
- 7:00 a.m. PT, self-seeded corrals
- Start
- Near Folsom Dam, Folsom
- Finish
- California State Capitol, Sacramento
- Time limit
- 6 hours (13:44 per mile); the finish closes at 1:30 p.m.
- Elevation gain
- About 260 ft, net downhill 366 ft
- Official site
- runcim.org
- Profile
- Net downhill with rollers through mile 16, then a gentle descent and a flat final 10K
- Best for
- A PR or a Boston qualifier
- Biggest mistake
- Banking time on the opening downhill, then fading on the rollers
- 2026
- USATF lists this year’s race as its marathon championships
The course
Mile by mile, at your pace
- Miles0–3.5
Folsom & the opening drop Downhill
You start near Folsom Dam and lose about 140 feet in the first three and a half miles, mostly in two steps around miles 1 and 3. It feels effortless, which is the trap. Keep the pace controlled and your stride short so your quads arrive at mile 20 in one piece.
7:58 /miMile 3.5 at 27:527:28 a.m.
- Miles3.5–11
Orangevale & Fair Oaks rollers Rolling
West on Oak Avenue through Orangevale, then south on Fair Oaks Boulevard into Fair Oaks. The road rolls the whole way, with the biggest rise around miles 8–9.5 before a drop through downtown Fair Oaks just past mile 10. Run the rises by effort and let the pace slip a little.
8:01 /miMile 11 at 1:28:008:28 a.m.
- Miles11–16
Carmichael Rolling
Fair Oaks Boulevard carries on through Carmichael, past halfway and the relay exchange at mile 13.4. The rollers are gentler here. This is the stretch to lock into goal pace and stay on top of fueling.
8:02 /miMile 16 at 2:08:119:08 a.m.
- Miles16–21.5
The long, gentle descent Downhill
From about mile 16 the course tilts gradually downhill, dropping about 70 feet over the next four miles. It’s subtle enough that it just feels like a good day. If you paced the rollers well, start to press here.
8:00 /miMile 21.5 at 2:52:109:52 a.m.
- Miles21.5–26.2
Flat into Sacramento Flat
After Howe Avenue you’re on flat ground the rest of the way: J Street through East Sacramento and Midtown, past Sutter’s Fort, and on to the State Capitol. It’s fast if you have anything left, and the crowds build as you get downtown.
8:01 /miFinish at 3:30:0010:30 a.m.
Every mile split for 3:30:00
| Mile | Terrain | Pace /mi | Elapsed | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downhill | 7:54 | 7:54 | 7:08 a.m. |
| 2 | Flat | 8:02 | 15:56 | 7:16 a.m. |
| 3 | Flat | 7:57 | 23:53 | 7:24 a.m. |
| 4 | Rolling | 7:58 | 31:51 | 7:32 a.m. |
| 5 | Flat | 8:03 | 39:54 | 7:40 a.m. |
| 6 | Flat | 8:00 | 47:53 | 7:48 a.m. |
| 7 | Flat | 8:02 | 55:55 | 7:56 a.m. |
| 8 | Rolling | 8:05 | 1:04:00 | 8:04 a.m. |
| 9 | Flat | 8:05 | 1:12:05 | 8:12 a.m. |
| 10 | Rolling | 8:00 | 1:20:04 | 8:20 a.m. |
| 11 | Downhill | 7:56 | 1:28:00 | 8:28 a.m. |
| 12 | Rolling | 8:03 | 1:36:04 | 8:36 a.m. |
| 13 | Flat | 8:03 | 1:44:06 | 8:44 a.m. |
| 14 | Flat | 8:00 | 1:52:06 | 8:52 a.m. |
| 15 | Flat | 8:06 | 2:00:12 | 9:00 a.m. |
| 16 | Flat | 7:59 | 2:08:11 | 9:08 a.m. |
| 17 | Flat | 7:57 | 2:16:08 | 9:16 a.m. |
| 18 | Flat | 8:03 | 2:24:11 | 9:24 a.m. |
| 19 | Flat | 7:59 | 2:32:10 | 9:32 a.m. |
| 20 | Flat | 8:00 | 2:40:09 | 9:40 a.m. |
| 21 | Flat | 8:00 | 2:48:10 | 9:48 a.m. |
| 22 | Flat | 8:02 | 2:56:11 | 9:56 a.m. |
| 23 | Flat | 8:01 | 3:04:13 | 10:04 a.m. |
| 24 | Flat | 8:00 | 3:12:12 | 10:12 a.m. |
| 25 | Flat | 8:01 | 3:20:13 | 10:20 a.m. |
| 26 | Flat | 8:01 | 3:28:15 | 10:28 a.m. |
| Finish | Flat | 8:02 | 3:30:00 | 10:30 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 CIM
Run the rollers by effort
Through mile 16, let your pace rise and fall with the road and keep your breathing steady. The net downhill does its work over the whole race, not on any single hill.
Race the last 10K
From about Howe Avenue at mile 21.4 the course is flat. If you’ve been patient, this is where you can hold or pick up the pace while others fade.
The last few weeks
Train for this course
- Practice running downhill at goal pace, so the opening miles and the late descent don’t wear out your quads.
- Do long runs on rolling terrain, with goal-pace segments that include short rises.
- Finish some long runs with a few flat, fast miles to rehearse the last 10K.
Race-day weather
Early December in Sacramento usually means a cold start, and the race notes average temperatures in the mid-50s°F. Fog and rain are both possible. The course is point to point, so dress for the start and plan to discard layers.
Race morning
Getting to the start
- There’s no driving or drop-off at the start. Take one of the race’s free buses; your bib is your ticket. Downtown buses leave by 4:30 a.m. and Point West buses by 5:00 a.m.
- There’s no gear check at the start. Check gear at the expo or at the downtown bus loading area on race morning. Clothes you discard at the start are collected and donated.
- Corrals are self-seeded by expected finish time, and most close a few minutes before the 7:00 a.m. start.
- Spectators aren’t allowed in the start area, so plan to meet people along the course or at the finish.
Questions runners ask.
Is CIM really downhill?
It drops a net 366 feet from Folsom to Sacramento, within the Boston Marathon’s limits, so qualifying times count with no adjustment. But it’s not all downhill: the first 16 miles roll, and the last 10K is flat.
Is CIM a good Boston qualifier?
It’s one of the best known. The race reports a qualifying rate of over 32%, and pace groups are built around Boston standards.
What is the time limit?
Six hours, or 13:44 per mile. Sweep runners leave the start at 7:30 a.m., and the finish line closes at 1:30 p.m.
How do I get to the start?
Only on the official buses, which leave from downtown Sacramento, Point West, Folsom and Granite Bay early on race morning. Your bib is your ticket, and runners can’t drive or be dropped off at the start.
Last checked October 20, 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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