If you train for hills, this one is not that difficult. The scenery and wildlife (such as an occasional whale) tend to make you forget you're running a marathon. My biggest complaint is about the walkers. There were numerous signs for walkers to stay to the left, but most walkers did not heed and walked wherever they felt like. This was especially frustrating in the last few miles of the race. You just want to finish quickly, but you are continually expending extra energy just to get around obstinate or ignorant walkers.

This gorgeous event left me giddy and gabbing from the beginning. Though there are quite a few hills, I would recommend this as a first marathon for others, with proper training. The scenerey will have you forgetting about mile markers, the bystanders all along the way are terrific and motivating, and my fellow participants were fun to run by, behind, and beside. i felt like i was at a party, except that i was in forward motion. The event is well organized and I just cannot seem to shutup at this point, because it was ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY an AWESOME experience that i will always keep in mind, especially since i am planning to run it again next year:)

Wow - great place to run 26.2 the weather was misty, clouds, no wind and great support on a vast road course.

Need help with the water stops a little earlier, walkers and relays were abit congested as the relay runners were on both sides of the course (need a corral or something). Great shirt, great views, saw whales as I ran by the later miles - very cool. Carmel is the best beach! cold water for tired legs and great B & B's. Well done

Big Sur was my first marathon, and difficult, primarily because I hadn't trained enough for the hills -- it's easy to train for uphills on the treadmill at the gym, but they have yet to invent a machine which mimics the pounding your quads take on the downhills. Hill repeats are essential for this one if you are serious about making decent time.

As far as support goes, the volunteers were great, and the roving medical teams on bikes are a smart idea -- I stopped twice to have blisters taped up late in the race -- as are the frequency of the water/gatorade stops after mile 10.

One drawback was the early bussing to get to the start. If you are coming from Carmel you bus out at 4:00 a.m., and sit around at the start from 5:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. I don't know how they can really get around this problem, but given the possibility of terrible weather one would think something could be worked out so that 4800 people aren't sitting around in 40 degree weather praying that the rain gods have pity on them.

As far as crowd support goes, there isn't really any, since Highway 1 is closed off and only the people who happen to be camping, or those who live along the course as you come into town, are watching. I'm not sure cheering crowds would have been a help or a hindrance here, and it was more than made up for by the random entertainers (piano man at bridge, high school clarinet teams, woman parked on side of road blaring Gipsy Kings on her radio, belly dancers) scattered about the course.

'05 was my tenth BSIM, and it delivered once again. This event has a great attitude, from the Directors all the way down to the volunteers calling splits at each mile. The course is hard to beat for views and a good challenge. The live music is always nice. Overall, it's always a great race, which is why next year will be number eleven. See you there!

This marathon was the hardest (hilly) one I have done but also the most magnificent. Everything about it was well run and organized. Great starting area and lots of aid stations along the way that were well stock with water, gatorade and GU. Loved it!

This was my second Big Sur Marathon.

Bussing was well-organized this year, but the marathoners were given Carmel Middle School as the bus meet point (or you could catch a bus downtown at the municipal garages). The parking area at the end was a total mudpit - totally trashed my rental driving through two-foot deep mud puddles. They should keep the marathoners out at Monterey Peninsula College as last year - plenty of parking (paved). The relayers and walkers got that this year. Just expected a better parking area for a $100.00 entrance fee.

Hot coffee, bagels, bananas and friendly folks at the start at Big Sur Station. Plenty of porta-potties, although in the dark of night when you get there, it's hard to tell if it is occupied or not (I used my iPod for light). Don't over-hydrate before getting on the busses - it is an hour ride out to the start and if you really load on the water and Gatorade before you leave, you'll hardly be able to walk by the time the bus pulls into Big Sur. Once you get there you'll have 1.5 to 2 hours to drink up.

The start was well-organized. The call people up to the road based on estimated finish times and it works well.

Porta-potties every 6 miles. This was a God-send for me this year as I was having some pretty severe lower GI problems. These saved my race - thank you organizers.

The course has a 5:30 limit. If you finish after this (gun time not chip time) no medal, no exceptions. I had a pretty bad race this year for a number of reasons and barely made it. I really felt sorry for the people who finished after this and did not get medals.

The medal is one-of-a-kind and beautiful - ceramic with a leather string attached.

Well organized finish area with medical tent, massage, food and beer. Sweats pick up was easy and efficient.

A few bummers:

I don't know if they cancelled, or have a time limit, but if you are in the back of the pack, don't expect to see all the entertainment. I ran past a dozen or so signs with no one there, but at least the Hurricane Point drummers and the piano player at the Bixby Bridge were present.

Don't expect a lot of people cheering you on. This course can get VERY desolate and lonely at times. You'll need your own forms of motivation. The scenery IS beyond beautiful, though.

Much better policing of the walkers this year. Most every walker on the course stayed on the left, and there was no dodging and weaving. Course marshals and plenty of signs this year - big improvement over last year. Thanks!

The first half, including the notorious Hurricane Point climb, is relatively easy. Miles 20-26 have steep rolling hills that are a killer if you're out of gas. Leave yourself some energy for the end - you'll need it.

This can be a really hard course for some people. Hill training in advance is a good idea, as are runs beyond 26 miles when training.

This year had a tailwind again (rare). A headwind is actually nice as it helps keep you cool.

All in all, a great race, and one any serious marathoner should do. Be sure to get into the area a couple of days early to take in the sights. It's a beautiful set of coastal towns.

Of the five marathons I have run, this is the only one that I plan to run again (and again). The road from Big Sur to Carmel is spectacular. I could not imagine a more perfect running experience.

The course is--as advertised--very difficult. Running downhill the first 10 miles will do a number on your knees, as will the slanting roads on your ankles, particularly from mile 16 forward. So be sure to pace yourself. There are at least six more real hills after Hurricane Point, including one around mile 25 that really tests your willpower (the viewbook from 2003 said something to the effect of: when you see that final hill at mile 25, you have to promise yourself that you won't sit down and cry--you really are almost there).

Also there is no 'chip timing,' so it's not the best place to PR. Much better to just relax and take the hills one at a time, enjoy the views and the tremendously blue skies.

Organization was great---in addition to food and frequent water stations, there were gels offered at about five different places on the course.

All in all, a wonderful race. Well worth the journey.

Stunningly beautiful course with excellent organization and great vacation area. Only improvement needed is with the congestion from walkers as you approach the finish in Carmel (Many pay no attention to instructions of not walking 2-4 side by side). Hope for no headwind and enjoy the views!

This was my 1st marathon and what a spectacular experience it was for me. I ran it with 2 friends and we cannot come up with a negative comment whatsoever. Yes, it was difficult, but it is rated that way for a reason. The scenery was lovely and thankfully I brought a disposable camera with me and have the pictures to prove it. The spectators were phenomenal. The volunteers shouting out splits were very helpful. The crowd loved our Canadian shirts and we felt very proud to be racing in the beautiful state of California. We will return.