Difficulty
Marathon Index Score
Next Race
Dec 6, 2026
Get Your Training Plan
Free, personalized for this race
The California International Marathon features a scenic point-to-point course beginning in the Sierra Nevada foothills and finishing at the State Capitol in downtown Sacramento. The route follows the American River Bike Trail for much of the race, offering shaded, tree-lined paths with minimal elevation change. This fast, certified course is perfect for qualifying times and personal records.
Cool morning temperatures with mild afternoon conditions. Occasional rain is possible during December in Sacramento, but the course is generally dry.
The Race
Sacramento
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.
🏅 Create Your California International Marathon Diploma
Finished this race? Get a free certificate with celebrity comparisons & race day weather
02:07:54
David Goggins (2018)
Register Now
Official Website →
Are you the race organizer?
Free · Get featured on our homepage · Edit your race details
Get alerts for California International Marathon
Registration openings, date changes, sell-out warnings.