Apr 28, 2024
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Big Sur International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Big Sur International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.9 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 212 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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T. P. from Columbus, OH
(4/28/2014)
 "Stunningly beautiful marathon" (about: 2014)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is the most beautiful marathon I've run so far (out of 78). The point-to-point course is on Route 1, mostly along the Pacific Ocean, with awesome views. It is also a tough, hilly course, especially from mile 9-10 to the finish. Nice expo, and nice pre-race dinner (extra cost). Have to get up very early to take bus to start. It's a great race, but I dinged the organization because of the 21-mile race, which starts at the same time as the marathon, starting at mile 5 of marathon. This means the marathoners crash into the slower 21-milers before midway, and have to negotiate around them for the rest of the race. Many runners did not respect the 1 (or sometimes 2) wide, or stay to the left, signs while running slowly or walking. Water stops were fine, and manned by great volunteers. Highly recommend taking a camera or smart phone to take pics along the way. Post-race food and beer were great. Medal is simple, but very nice. This was a bucket list race for me and I'm very glad I chose to run it. | |
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Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX
(5/16/2013)
 "No wonder it sells out quickly!" (about: 2013)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Big Sur International Marathon 28 April 2013 The 28th Annual Big Sur International Marathon had been sold out in 26 hours, which shows the popularity of this challenging, yet scenic, marathon. I flew into San Francisco on Friday, 26 April, took the Monterey Airbus, and checked into Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey. A very nice hotel, located adjacent to the Marina and Fishermans Wharf. The packet pick-up/health and fitness expo was in Monterey Conference Center. Each runner received a nice long-sleeved technical shirt. There were a large number of vendors. On Sunday, at 4:15 AM, buses began transporting the runners to the start line. The temperature ranged from upper 50s to low 70s. It was overcast at times. We had to deal with some head winds. There were ample water/sports drink stations, sports gels and fruits in a few locations, strawberries at mile 23, and several bands and individual musicians throughout the course. The point-to-point course was on Highway 1, which was closed to traffic, from Pfeiffer State Park in Big Sur (elevation 300 feet) to Rio Road in Carmel (elevation 25 feet). As expected, the marathon route was hilly. The hardest section was from mile 10 (40 feet) to the Hurricane Point at mile 12 (560 feet). The 2nd half of the marathon included several rolling hills. The recovery food items and drinks at the finish area were sufficient. We were shuttled back to our hotels in Monterey. There were 3121 (1576 males, 1545 females) finishers. The winning times were 2:27:46 (overall male), 2:50:02 (overall female), 2:34:52 (masters males), and 3:09:01 (masters female). This was my 98th marathon & I truly enjoyed it. | |
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N. B. from Connecticut
(5/10/2013)
"Spectacular. A must run." (about: 2013)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you are to run one race in your lifetime, make it be Big Sur. I promise you, it will not disappoint. It is breathtaking- both literally and figuratively. It ain't easy. But it is the race of a lifetime. Do it. You can find my full 2013 Big Sur Marathon Race Recap on my blog here. Happy Running People! And get in those hill repeats. :-) http://marathonandsprint.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/2013-big-sur-international-marathon-the-recap/ | |
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W. W. from Los Angeles
(5/5/2013)
"The most beautiful Marathon course" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a challenge course. If you try to set your personal best, this course may not be the one. However, if you try to enjoy the fresh breeze and scenic view along the way of your entire marathon run, this is the one. Think about it, the beautiful highway one is for only runners during that few hours while you are part of the excitement. If you are local, this is a good yearly event. If you are an out towner, this can be a perfect event to fit in a vacation plan. This is a well organized event. The organizers have done their best to let everyone enjoy the event. The population are not large in the area. Don't expect to have a large crowd. The entertainment along the road are good quality and cheerful. | |
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k. m. from wv
(5/5/2013)
"Marathoner's heaven" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If I died and went to marathoners heaven it could be no better than Big Sur 2013, perfect weather, minimal winds (for this course so I'm told), breathtaking scenery. This was my first time on the Pacific Coast Highway and I cannot imagine a better way to experience all this beauty. If you want to focus on negatives one could whine about the hills (the one at mi 25 kicked my butt), the multiple races at the same time (spend lots of time passing people wogging the 21 miler), the stretches of slanted road surface (just give it up ... there is no flat spot). I'm going with the idea that the hills, the wind, and the mix a runners just adds to a fantastic experience and slows you down just a bit more so that you can more thoroughly soak in the heavenly experience that is Big Sur. | |
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W. C. from Upstate NY
(5/1/2013)
"I felt giddy for 26.2 miles!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The Big Sur marathon is a treasure among marathons. The scenery is breath-takingly beautiful from start to finish, with fun music support all along the course. You will hardly notice the hills because the views provide such a wonderful distractions. A must run! | |
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G. F. from Houston, Texas
(10/28/2012)
"Great scenery scarred by a challenging run." (about: 2012)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 My worst time ever...and I'm glad I did it. Great scenery, a course to test you with the two mile uphill between 10-12 miles, off camber roads that trashed everything south of my waist, and chilly headwinds. I never hurt so bad in my life. It's like being in a four hour plane crash. I'm glad I did it. Only downside...idiot runners who would stop suddenly to take photos...of water, waves, hills, cows, etc. I had to duck underneath outstretch arms several times for marathoners who wanted action shots on their iPhones. Try doing that on Saturday next time. Overall, a great experience. Well done Big Sur. | |
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c. M. from North Carolina
(7/29/2012)
"Amazing scenery" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race itself was really difficult. The uphills were bad, but the wind was worse. Still, I managed to PR. | |
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J. C. from Pittsburgh, PA
(5/30/2012)
 "Thank you Harp family" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Big Sur International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There was a woman playing a harp with her daughter around mile 22. My name was on my Bib and as I was struggling along they called out my name saying 'Way to go John'-for me this was priceless. The strawberries were delicious. I like the 'Finisher poster' in the background where pictures can be taken by family/friends WITHOUT being charged. | |
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N. R. from Bay Area
(5/9/2012)
"Big Sur, Big Wind, Small Support" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Call me crazy but I was a bit disappointed with Big Sur '12. I knew, and was ready for, the big hills. I appreciated the scenery, maybe not the fog so much. But, the headwinds were unexpected, especially after the starting line announcer bragged, 'There are NO winds coming your way.' (The evening news reported gusts of 40 mph.) And, yes, after coming off LA '12 and NYC '11, I was shocked by the lack of crowd support. Silly me! |
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