Big Sur International Marathon: Pacing & Race-Day Strategy
One of the most beautiful — and hilly — marathons in the world. Run it for the experience, not a PR.
- Where:
- Big Sur, California
- When:
- April
- Course:
- Hilly · scenic · point-to-point
- Best run as:
- Even pace
Course & elevation
Big Sur is a hilly, exposed point-to-point along Highway 1, with substantial climbing throughout. The signature effort is the long grind up to Hurricane Point around miles 10–12, often into a coastal headwind, followed by rolling hills all the way to the finish.
Key moments
- Mile 10–12Hurricane Point — a long, exposed 2-mile climb, frequently into wind.
- Mile 13Bixby Bridge — a piano player and stunning views at the top.
- Mile 20–26.2Deceptive rolling hills late, including a sting near mile 25.
Pacing strategy
This is not a PR course — pace by effort and add several minutes to a flat-course goal. Bank nothing before Hurricane Point, respect the wind, and enjoy the scenery.
Plan your mile splits
Enter your goal time to get a mile-by-mile pacing band for Big Sur International Marathon. The even pace option is pre-selected to suit this course.
| Mile | Pace | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:09/mi | 9:09 |
| 2 | 9:09/mi | 18:18 |
| 3 | 9:09/mi | 27:28 |
| 4 | 9:09/mi | 36:37 |
| 5 | 9:09/mi | 45:46 |
| 6 | 9:09/mi | 54:55 |
| 7 | 9:09/mi | 1:04:05 |
| 8 | 9:09/mi | 1:13:14 |
| 9 | 9:09/mi | 1:22:23 |
| 10 | 9:09/mi | 1:31:32 |
| 11 | 9:09/mi | 1:40:41 |
| 12 | 9:09/mi | 1:49:51 |
| 13 | 9:09/mi | 1:59:00 |
| 14 | 9:09/mi | 2:08:09 |
| 15 | 9:09/mi | 2:17:18 |
| 16 | 9:09/mi | 2:26:28 |
| 17 | 9:09/mi | 2:35:37 |
| 18 | 9:09/mi | 2:44:46 |
| 19 | 9:09/mi | 2:53:55 |
| 20 | 9:09/mi | 3:03:05 |
| 21 | 9:09/mi | 3:12:14 |
| 22 | 9:09/mi | 3:21:23 |
| 23 | 9:09/mi | 3:30:32 |
| 24 | 9:09/mi | 3:39:41 |
| 25 | 9:09/mi | 3:48:51 |
| 26 | 9:09/mi | 3:58:00 |
| 26.22 | 9:09/mi | 4:00:00 |
Fueling & hydration
Aid stations are spaced along the rural course (roughly every 2 miles) with water and sports drink. The climbs and wind raise the workload, so fuel and hydrate a little more than usual.
Weather
Late-April Big Sur is cool and often foggy or windy on the coast; headwinds are the defining variable.
Train for Big Sur International Marathon
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