Big Sur International Marathon

“Turns out that was the way to go.”

The runner finished a first full marathon in 5:52:09. While waiting to start in the rain, the runner saw other participants sitting on rubbish bags and foil, so noted that preparing warm clothing before the start was useful.

“This was my sixth time running the Big Sur Marathon, and I knew I was in for a treat.”

Jeanne ran the 2025 Big Sur Marathon for the sixth time. Despite rain, cold, and stomach problems, she did not walk the hills and enjoyed the course scenery and experience.

“This race attracts people internationally and this year it drew the full 4500 participants allowed.”

The runner took part in the 11-mile course of the Big Sur International Marathon in San Francisco. The race attracts participants from various distances and countries, and in 2024 all 4,500 available places were filled.

“I went from couch to marathon in one year.”

The runner finished their first marathon in 4:26:56, recording a negative split of about 11 minutes. They did altitude training to prepare for the hills on the course, and said they ran while looking forward to the coastal views and the section associated with the famous pianist.

“I went into Big Sur feeling healthy, but definitely not fresh.”

The runner raced the Big Sur full marathon 13 days after Boston. The runner struggled with strong headwinds and the climbs, and missed a gel at an aid station, but recovered pace in the second half and finished in 2 hours 57 minutes 42 seconds.

“Day before the race got a cold with cough and runny nose.”

As a beginner runner, the runner took part in their first full marathon while suffering from a cold and finished in 5:53:42. The runner prepared for the hills on the course with a 6-hour cut-off in mind, and booked a hotel near the shuttle boarding point to prepare for the early-morning journey.

“Final time: 3:40:37”

Sam Breed ran Big Sur as their first marathon. The wind and climbs were brutal early on, and the hills kept coming in the second half, but they held back from pushing too hard and managed their fueling and pace carefully. They ran the whole way without walking, finishing in 3:40:37, good for 306th out of 5,089 runners.

“I finally made it to the finish line and was able to stop and rest.”

In the fifth Big Sur full marathon, the runner ran faster than the early target pace but suffered exhaustion and cramps caused by dehydration in the second half. The runner walked briefly at times on the final hill and finished in 3 hours 18 minutes 28 seconds.