California International Marathon

The California International Marathon was founded in 1983, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 43 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Sacramento, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

The course record of 02:07:54, set by David Goggins in 2018, speaks to what the California International Marathon offers elite athletes: a fast, honest course where serious times are achievable. The record has drawn increasingly competitive fields year after year.

Runners come to the California International Marathon for one reason: personal bests. The flat, fast course through Sacramento has a reputation as a PB factory, with the roads seemingly designed to keep your pace honest and your splits consistent from start to finish.

The California International Marathon is a certified Boston qualifier, and that three-letter abbreviation — BQ — transforms the race from an event into a gateway. Every year, runners come to Sacramento not just to finish but to chase a time that unlocks the world's most exclusive marathon.