This was my first marathon, and I picked it because I was told it was beautiful. There are no words to describe watching the sun rise over the mountains just before the start of the race, running the first few miles amongst the redwood trees, and then spending the rest of the morning looking out on the Pacific Ocean to my left and the green pastures on my right (and a few on my left too). For me, running is spritual, and this was beyond amazing.

With that said, it is a TOUGH course. The hills are pretty, but they don't give up. I live in flat Indiana, so training for them was quite a challenge. Overall, I thought the race was great. The organization was wonderful with the buses taking you everywhere you needed to go, and organizers were readily available. Although there aren't a lot of spectators on the course, the ones who could come out were VERY excited and encouraging. Although I now want to tackle some other courses (and try for a better PR), this is definitely a course I'd like to come back to. I agree with another person who said that driving the course beforehand may have been a mistake. Realizing what I was getting myself into was a little bit scary. :)

I'm glad I did this one once, but once was enough for me.

The course is as spectacular and interesting as many have described. The hills are substantial and will add at least 5-10% to your time. The most difficult part of the course is the slant of the road. Most roads are crowned in the center or have flatter gutters, but not PCH. Both lanes slope for drainage into the ocean making for an uneven running surface for the majority of the race. This created major I.T. band and hamstring issues for me - and I suspect others, based on the runners I saw pulling over to stretch.

The logistics are well done. It helps to get on an early bus and stake out an area early at the starting line staging area.

The walkers were a pain, but I suspect that their numbers and entry fee are part of the reason the organizers can continue to close down this major highway for over 8 hours.

There are hardly any spectators because of the road being closed, but there were a surprising number of walkers cheering on the runners.

It was great to run it once, but it's going to take a long time for me to forget about the strain on my legs. If you have any issues with tight hamstrings or I.T. bands, I suggest preparing with a massage before the race and scheduling one for the week after too!

This was truly a class act. My 33rd marathon, by far the most challenging course. Race officials in blazers and slacks made for a really professional image. Handshakes at the finish line were special. The entertainment along the route was special. It did seem quite a distance to first water stop, but oh well, not a factor. I'll be back next year for sure.

If you are a marathon junkie (or you are looking for a significant challenge in your life) you need to run this race. But just be prepared for the hills! They are not necessarily steep, but they are long, and they are many. Just when you think you've reached to top of a hill, the road bends and it continues upward! And for every uphill, there is a downhill that poses a challenge to your quads.

Do not expect to run a P.R. here, unless of course it is your first marathon. Just set out to enjoy yourself, and don't worry about the clock or your splits. Take in the scenery, run on the most level part of the road when possible, and keep something in reserve for the final few miles - you will need it.

A comment about the walkers: although they certainly are moving obstacles, try to think of them as company along the generally solitary route. It was annoying at times, but it helped to know that there were people out there with you!

I drove the course the day before just to see what was ahead of me. That may have been a mistake! Maybe I should have driven the course AFTER the race! Either way, it's nice to be able to take pictures & memories (for those of us from out of the area). Some take pictures during the race - whatever works for you.

The overall experience was humbling (I THOUGHT I did enough hill training, but not much prepares you for the hills on this course), but well worth it.

This was my first marathon, and a challenging experience. I was thrilled to achieve my goal of coming in under four hours.

The course was spectacular! For the first six miles or so, you're in the hills, with tree canopy and limited visibility. Then you break out and head for the coast. It became pretty windy, and I was really wishing I could find someone to draft. Once you hit the coast, it is just amazing, seeing the cliffs and surf - and once you're closer to the water, you can hear the waves crashing below. There were musicians along the way, ranging from high school bands to rock bands, from cultural drummers to a guy playing a grand piano on the Bixby Bridge. I liked the drummers at the base of Hurricane Point the best. The thumping was in a seemingly south Pacific rhythm, and not only could I hear it for the next 1/2 mile, but it was in also in sync with my cadence. The volunteers really helped the race go smoothly. The throng of people at the start rapidly thinned, and traffic was not an issue, though the walkers did congest things a bit near the end (I stayed near the center-line of the road and just went outside to the right when necessary).

The hills were a challenge, but not so much going up - it was the declines that wore me out. That, combined with the camber of the road (especially in the curves), jams your feet to the front of your shoes. Probably not a big deal for a veteran marathoner, but for this novice it was becoming a factor around mile 20.

Overall, a great experience I'd like to do again.

Very fine organization, support, location, and a breath-taking route. Large enough to be fun but not so large that I was boxed in at any time. The hills are a challenge for a Floridian, but then again, that is what a marathon is all about.

I ran this in 2000 and it was my first then. Running this marathon is like having a baby: you want another one, but have forgotten the pain to achieve it! Eight years later and a minute per mile slower, I now remember that they meant "moderately difficult" in the description. The hills do not end, but neither does the beauty. I will come back again and again till I can't run anymore; then someone can wheel me up to a table and I'll volunteer! It's very well run and simply a joy. The medal is on my wall and I will possibly have it thrown into my coffin!

This was my 7th marathon and 1st Big Sur. This race has a unique, wild, windswept feeling to it that made it an awesome experience. The early morning start from a park ranger station just adds to that ambiance, though the starting area was waaaaay too cramped (nowhere to sit down, porta-john lines criss-crossing each other, difficult to find water and food area). And nowhere in the pre-race materials did they mention whether there would be food and drink at the start. Small complaints... but significant. And again... the walkers! They do tend to bunch up in packs and lines, making it difficult to get through, though there are signs requesting that they stay to the left (there's only so much room, with only one lane available).

OK, stop complaining (me, not you)! This was an amazing marathon. The hills, come on, were NOT that bad. Better than running a flat, boring course. And Hurricane Point comes early enough that it's not such a killer (but so Long! What a LONG hill!) The later ones are what get you. The course was stunning, the spectators really enthusiastic, and the finish area was well done (the beer line stretched for ages though). We stayed in Monterey at El Adobe Inn - simple, but friendly and affordable. In all, it was a great experience.

The northerly point-to-point course is scenic, but can be difficult due to coastal exposure. The banking of the PCH can be hard to run on in places. There's an early start (6:45 a.m.), and a bus ride, with 3:45-4:30 a.m. pickup. Worse for West coasters. The hills are mildly challenging but not abusive. If you want similar scenery and harder hills, do the Cabot Trail Relay in Cape Breton.

The organization, expo, city and volunteers were top-notch.

The big problem for me in this event is the placement of 2000 or so walkers out on the course in front of the marathon field at 5M and 15M. This causes undue congestion in the last 5 miles of the race as a certain percentage of the walkers ignore the signs to keep left and block the entire left lane. Race instructions dictate that any runner in the right lane after mile 2 is subject to disqualification. Zig-zagging around crowds of people strolling down the street with their backs turned to you is not my idea of a good finish. There's enough stress running 26.2 without this unnecessary obstacle to deal with and it spoils an otherwise great event.

This is a tough course. There are no flat parts - it is all up or down. So really train on those hills. It is also gorgeous - breathtaking scenery. The organization was outstanding. I felt completely taken care of at every step. The area is an expensive place to stay and dine, but for a night or two, it is worth it. You also have to get up super early (3:30 a.m.) and get a bus for an hour-long ride to the start. A bit of a pain, but again, totally worth it.