Big Sur Marathon

The Big Sur Marathon was founded in 1986, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 40 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Big Sur, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

The fastest time ever recorded at the Big Sur Marathon is 02:34:47, set by Robert Gomez in 2013. Every year, new contenders line up hoping to challenge that mark on the streets of Big Sur.

With 2550m of elevation gain, the Big Sur Marathon is not a course for the faint-hearted. The climbs are where races are won and lost — where the gap between training and undertrained reveals itself without mercy. Locals say the course doesn't beat you; it just waits for you to beat yourself.

The Big Sur Marathon carries an "extreme" difficulty rating for good reason. The combination of terrain, conditions, and distance creates an event where finishing is a genuine achievement. Drop-out rates are high, preparation requirements are serious, and the line between adventure and misadventure is thin.

At mile 13, a grand piano sits on a ridge overlooking the Pacific and the iconic Bixby Bridge. A pianist plays for every runner who passes. The tradition, started in 1987, is so beloved that runners specifically choose Big Sur for this moment. The combination of ocean, bridge, music, and runner's high at the halfway point is described as transcendent.