2027 Big Sur International Marathon - Apr 25 Countdown

Q: How do you get into the Big Sur Marathon?

Entry is by random drawing (lottery) — not first-come, and not a qualifying time. The application window opens in summer and names are typically drawn in early September; if you're selected, your card is charged automatically. Guaranteed-entry routes exist through Marathon Tours &amp; Travel, charity bibs, and the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge.

Q: How hard is the Big Sur Marathon and how much climbing is there?

It is a challenging course — about +2,182 ft of total climbing on a net-downhill, point-to-point route. The signature test is the two-mile climb to Hurricane Point around miles 10-12, often straight into a Pacific headwind. Most runners treat it as a scenic, run-by-feel day rather than a PR attempt.

Q: What is the Big Sur Marathon time limit?

The course has a 6-hour limit (about a 13:45 per-mile pace), with Highway 1 reopening to traffic at 1 PM. Runners who fall off that pace are picked up and shuttled to the finish so the road can reopen on schedule.

Q: Is Big Sur a Boston qualifier, and what is the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge?

Yes — Big Sur is a certified Boston Marathon qualifier, though the hills make it a tough place to chase a time. The Boston 2 Big Sur (B2B) Challenge is a dedicated program for runners who complete the Boston Marathon and then Big Sur in the same spring.

Q: What is the weather like, and what should I wear?

Late-April mornings on the coast start cool (around 51&deg;F / 11&deg;C) with high humidity and a frequent marine-layer fog, and wind off the Pacific is the wild card. Dress in light layers you can shed and plan for damp, breezy conditions rather than heat.

Q: How big is the Big Sur Marathon field?

It is a limited field — around 3,200 marathon finishers in recent years — which is part of why entry runs on a lottery. Keeping the field small protects the point-to-point course on two-lane Highway 1.

Q: Where does the Big Sur Marathon start and finish?

It is a point-to-point race: runners start near Big Sur and finish in Carmel, heading north on Highway 1, which is closed to traffic for the morning. The Bixby Creek Bridge marks roughly the halfway point.

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Registration opens 2026-08 View official registration →

Race Information

Race	2027 Big Sur International Marathon - Apr 25
City	Big Sur
Date	2027-04-25 at 06:45
Field Size	~3,300 runners
Time Limit	6 hours
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
Official Site	Big Sur Marathon Foundation
Registration	Registration opens 2026-08 · Official Site

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	11°C / 51°F
Humidity	88%
Wind	6 km/h
Rain Chance	20%
Typical Conditions	Cool, humid coastal morning with frequent marine-layer fog

What to Prepare: Late April on the Big Sur coast starts cool (~51°F / 11°C) with high humidity off the Pacific and a common morning marine layer. The real wild card is wind — Highway 1 headwinds can bite, especially after the climb to Hurricane Point. Wear light layers you can shed, ease the downhills, and run this one by feel for the views, not the clock.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 6 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course Type	Point-to-point
Elevation Gain	665m
Terrain	Road (coastal highway)
Profile	A bucket-list scenic point-to-point from Big Sur to Carmel along Highway 1, fully closed to traffic on race morning. The signature 2-mile climb to Hurricane Point (miles 10-12) and the Bixby Bridge at the halfway mark are the centerpiece; +2,182 ft of total climbing on a net-downhill route. It is an official Boston qualifier course, but entry is by random drawing — not a qualifying time — so you come for the coastline, not a PR.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2027 Big Sur International Marathon - Apr 25

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Running Pace Calculator — Min/km, Finish Time & Pace Chart

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Free Pace Band Generator — Printable Race Day Wristband

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Marathon Wake-Up Time Calculator — Race Morning Timeline

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Dew Point Running Calculator — Pace Adjustment Chart

Enter temperature and humidity to calculate dew point and its impact on your running pace. 7-zone ch...

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Elevation Gain/Loss Impact Calculator

How much will hills slow you down? Enter elevation gain, loss, and distance to see adjusted pace, di...

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Grade Adjusted Pace (GAP) Calculator — Hills & Strava

Convert uphill or downhill running pace to flat-equivalent GAP in one click. Free grade adjusted pac...

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Featured In

Best Marathon Destination Races for Travel in 2026 Best Spring Marathons to Run in 2027 (March-May) Most Scenic Marathon Courses in the World (2026) Best US Marathons 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get into the Big Sur Marathon?

Entry is by random drawing (lottery) — not first-come, and not a qualifying time. The application window opens in summer and names are typically drawn in early September; if you're selected, your card is charged automatically. Guaranteed-entry routes exist through Marathon Tours & Travel, charity bibs, and the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge.

How hard is the Big Sur Marathon and how much climbing is there?

It is a challenging course — about +2,182 ft of total climbing on a net-downhill, point-to-point route. The signature test is the two-mile climb to Hurricane Point around miles 10-12, often straight into a Pacific headwind. Most runners treat it as a scenic, run-by-feel day rather than a PR attempt.

What is the Big Sur Marathon time limit?

The course has a 6-hour limit (about a 13:45 per-mile pace), with Highway 1 reopening to traffic at 1 PM. Runners who fall off that pace are picked up and shuttled to the finish so the road can reopen on schedule.

Is Big Sur a Boston qualifier, and what is the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge?

Yes — Big Sur is a certified Boston Marathon qualifier, though the hills make it a tough place to chase a time. The Boston 2 Big Sur (B2B) Challenge is a dedicated program for runners who complete the Boston Marathon and then Big Sur in the same spring.

What is the weather like, and what should I wear?

Late-April mornings on the coast start cool (around 51°F / 11°C) with high humidity and a frequent marine-layer fog, and wind off the Pacific is the wild card. Dress in light layers you can shed and plan for damp, breezy conditions rather than heat.

How big is the Big Sur Marathon field?

It is a limited field — around 3,200 marathon finishers in recent years — which is part of why entry runs on a lottery. Keeping the field small protects the point-to-point course on two-lane Highway 1.

Where does the Big Sur Marathon start and finish?

It is a point-to-point race: runners start near Big Sur and finish in Carmel, heading north on Highway 1, which is closed to traffic for the morning. The Bixby Creek Bridge marks roughly the halfway point.