It is everything it claims to be: epic beauty, epic hills. The camaraderie amongst runners is refreshing. Never seen so many stop to take photos. Soak it in, run it for the experience, and you may surprise yourself with your time. Good hill training left me with plenty in the tank after Hurricane Point and I ran negative splits, though nearly 20 minutes slower than my PR. The wind was a major factor and I regretted throwing away my arm warmers before we were out of the forest. Save a layer just in case! Watch out for 'D minor hill at D major time' at mile 25. It's the hardest one in the race! Spectators aren't plentiful but they get 5 stars for enthusiasm, especially the ones who bring out the fresh strawberries in Carmel Highlands.

This race proves Mother Nature is big and man is very small. As a runner, I found what goes down, does come up...and up...and up. Look to the left, you fall off the edge of the western world. Look to the right, you are a speck on the base of a mountain. Look straight ahead, the fog welcomes you into an abyss with the steady wind slapping you silly. All for the amazing price of your local marathon. Nice!

Hints: I ran 22 miles or so along the edge of the road on a dirt trail. It's there for the taking. Take it. I stayed in Carmel. My wife loved it as much as I loved the marathon. Lunch at Pebble Beach golf club was less than $40. Yeah, really!

The ultimate bucket list race.

This one lives up to the previews: the views and the level of difficulty is everything you read about. To say you are a Big Sur Marathon Finisher: Priceless!

There is nothing I can add to all the praises of this race. They are all true. Very few things turn out as good as advertised, but this one of them. It is not overrated, but greatly underrated.
As a tip I stayed at the Monterey Hotel in downtown. It is a charming Victorian Hotel 2 blocks from the EXPO and I was very pleased.

Awe-Inspiring Course.

You will never have a more pleasurable time feeling so miserable.

It is like having a group long run with 3200 of your closest friends.
Sure there are the faster runners but by and large even those runners slowed down to just take in this very special course.

This was an out and back because the wash out of US 1. I am returning 2012 to do the point-to-point. To get the full effects.... Missed Hurricane Point and Bixby Bridge. looking forward to running.

I have wanted to do this marathon for quite some time and 2011 was the year that everything was in place for my wife and I to make the trip. The main reason I've wanted to do this race is b/c of it's famously scenic route and it's tough nature (ie- hilly!!). At first, we were very disappointed when we learned of the landslide that caused organizers to change the course to an out and back. But I can say, that the they did a great job alleviating any concerns by race day. They assured participants that the new course would be just as tough and scenic and man was it! The vast majority of it hugged the coast with dramatic views of the Pacific and the mountain hillside. On the way back to the finish, the course took runners into Pt. Lobos State park which was nice. The course change made the 2011 race unique from all other years. There aren't a lot of spectators on the course, but I didn't need that b/c my eyes were glued to the ocean. Just mesmerizing. Several points I even heard sea lions barking. The weather was perfect for racing- cool and dry.

There were plenty of very helpful volunteers and well stocked aid stations along the route. The piano man, harpist, quintet and drummers provided great entertainment.


The organizers of Big Sur are top notch. They frequently communicated updates about the landslide and course changes doing an outstanding job with the circumstances that mother nature gave them.

The expo was one of the better ones I've been too (Ive been to the New York, Chicago, and Boston expos).

Even if you don't want to run a marathon, there is something for everyone on race weekend with a 5k, 9miler, 10.6 and 21 miler all run in conjunction with the 'big' race. My wife ran the 9miler and had a blast.

Post race was set up nicely with decent food and a beer tent- great rewards after a tough marathon.

Overall- Big Sur is a race that I think every marathoner should put on their must do list. We are definitely coming back.

I loved every minute of my experience in Carmel and running the Big Sur Marathon. I even loved the pain from the hard course! Kudos to the organizers for pulling a great race despite the unfortunate collapse of Highway 1 just south of Rocky Point Bridge. I am not sure if they will have the road fixed for next year (the rumor is that they will not), but I would like to come back and run the full course, as it is breathtaking!

Highlights:
The piano player
The drummers
The VIEWS!
The strawberries at mile 20 or so (you don't want them if you are running fast, but they are oh so good!)
The post-race food
The ease of getting a massage after the run (limited to the marathoners only)
The beer without a line

Despite the collapse of Highway 1, the race organizers did a fantastic job of providing a very scenic and challenging marathon. From what some have said, this course may even have been hillier and harder than the traditional course. The fantastic weather conditions made the day even more memorable, and you can't beat the Monterey Peninsula as a travel destination. The aid stations and volunteers were as good as or better than any I have seen. Terrific event.

My 48th Marathon - second Big Sur.. ran The Boston To Big Sur Challenge..
Why Big Sur should be at the top of your list:
1. It is THE most glorious, breathtaking course that you will ever run..
2. The air is so fresh..the scent of blooming flowers..green green grass and the sea just fills your lungs
3. I have never seen so many smiling marathoners. just having a good time: stopping taking pictures.. strangers taking pictures of each other, there is a total lack of intensity, at least in the time that I ran, which is so refreshing in this day and age
4. Carmel has to be the most beautiful and friendly city in the US and a great place to shop
5. Organization is top notch..lots of everything: volunteers, water, gels, port a potties
6. Beautiful technical shirt
7. Very special medal
8. The entire race has a laid back California vibe to it..but make no mistake the course is not a pretty one, it's difficult.but if you approach it with the right attitude it is amazing.

Room for improvement:
1. Boston to Big Sur was a bit of a disappointment
the jacket was kind of cheap, the food area was not as nice as the Runners World Challenge. They ran out of beer.
2. The official race merchandise has great colors but the graphics were poor and it was pricey.
3. Nothing in goody bags..appreciate not being bogged down with paper but a souvenir or two would be nice.

Ran this marathon for the second time this year. Other marathons would do well to use this first-class organization as a model. Unfortunately, they'll never be able to match the sublime course.