I ran Big Sur on April 29, 2001. This was my first marathon ever. I decided that if I only run one marathon, this was going to be it to experience the beauty. I focused extremely hard on Hurricane Point during my training by running as many hills as I could and conquered that part of the course. However, when it came to the half-way point after Hurricane, I was pretty tired having focused so much on Hurricane Point. I would encourage you to train very hard on hills and look past what you have after Hurricane Point. There are still some challenging hills after Hurricane, so try to train according to the course description. The wind was also difficult, so if you have the opportunity to train with that, I would take advantage of it. I chose Big Sur as my first marathon because of the hills. I like the relief of downhills and the challenge of the uphills. Let me tell you, those downhills help when you need something to help you keep moving. I took many walk breaks, especially through the aid stations, which helped. The sports expo was really great and the clinics before the race were very informative too. The volunteers were amazing and the music along the course was inspiring. Because the highway is closed, family and friends can't drive and meet you along the way. However, they are welcome to run/walk from the finish line in Carmel to meet you somewhere along the way and finish with you. I was very impressed with the organization and the amazing support of the race directors and all the volunteers! I was extremely impressed by the finisher medal too. It wasn't your typical gold medal on a ribbon, but instead a handmade, painted ceramic medal with a leather string. That was really neat! This marathon is known as one of the toughest in the world, but don't let that scare you. You can do it if you train properly and have the mental determination. It is you and the beauty and an experience never to be forgotten!

What a marathon...Let my first words be this...caution!!!! extreme hill work...not for the weak at heart! Wow, what a great marathon. It was my PR (believe it or not). I used the CLIF pacing crew. Lindsey Newell from San Jose was the pacer...truly motivational (thank you). The race was beautiful, cold and windy all at once. There were not a lot of spectators (because information is published that they can't be on the course...WRONG>>>they just have to come from BIG SUR to get there...traffic is reduced to one way) so that led to some challenge. I would definitely recommend a pacing group...it is an awesome experience. But watch out, it is a tough race. This was my second race!

Incredible course! Great organization and support! Ran BSIM in 2000 because I felt compelled to, and it was everything and more that you would want in a marathon. Some fragmented comments: great pre-race expo with top quality advice & merchandise, including an extremely good Jeff Galloway talk, great pre-race pasta dinner, the surrealistic bus ride in pitch darkness to Big Sur, unequaled adrenaline rush at the start, Taiko drummers at the start of the hill to Hurricane Point, crossing Bixby Bridge provided a 'George Sheehan' type of body & soul experience, Jonathon Lee playing a grand piano on the fantastic cliffs of the Pacific, paramount views, good spectator support along the last few miles, great organizational support at finish line, good grub & fantastic stew, excellent post-race medical coverage, made new international friends. If there IS a runner's Mecca, surely BSIM is it, and well worth the pilgrimage, even if only once in your life! If you love the marathon experience, you truly have to run Big Sur.

I've run it in sunshine. I've run it in rain (actually windy rain, with hail)! I love this marathon! Love the hills, love the views, love the race management.
Great runner support. Very musical! If you prepare properly, with hill training, you can even PR here (I PRd here after running the Catalina Marathon as training). Everyone should do this marathon, at least once!

A truly mystical experience. Everything it is promised to be and more.

Very hilly point-to-point race that runs along the beautiful Pacific Coast line from Big Sur to Carmel. Because of the road closure of the PCH, there are virtually no spectators on the course for miles. The marathon is about you, the runner, and the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. It was a tough race, but I would definitely run it again!

The organizers have thought of everything. Be prepared to be treated like royalty. You enjoy the scenery, music and hospitality so much you are a little disappointed when it is over. The medical staff were top notch. Loved it!

Big Sur was my 4th marathon, but ranks #1 in my eyes. What a spectacular location. I will do this one again and again - even if it was tough, with a 2 mile hill at mile 10. Plus, if you don't want to run the whole marathon, you can walk 21 miles or 10.6 miles or do a 5 person relay. There are options for everyone!

although the course is tougher than average, the experience is unforgettable...I've run 10 different marathons and this is the only one I REALLY want to run again

The most beautiful marathon in the world