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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers
It's here! Our annual list of the year's best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Big Sur International Marathon Reviews
Big Sur International Marathon
5.0 Stars from
15 Runners
Brutal, but Beautiful
By BF about 2019
Review
The race was well put on, stunningly beautiful with great support. Definitely not a BQ race, but a bucket list one for sure.
Race Tips
OK, lets get this out of the way, the elevation chart on the race's web page is a lie. The course is much hiller than it shows. There is no less than 9 large hills to climb in the second half of the race, with a number of smaller ones. The official elevation chart makes the course seem A LOT easier than it is. And once you get into the Highlands, the road is very banked and hard to run on. It would be best to drive the course the day before so you can see the course.
Also note that the buses that bring you to the start are the yellow cheese wagons, don't expect charter buses. I only stay this because i heard someone complaining about it. But some people are never happy i guess.
I would arrive on Thursday or Friday at the latest. The town is wonderful. Make sure to do a shakeout run around the Cannery and Lovers Point. Plenty of wildlife, from Sea otters to harbor seals.
5 /
5 Stars
Breathtaking course, headwinds, and hills
By Scott Benbow about 2018
Review
BSIM 2018 was an excellent race. I credit the race organizers who communicated effectively with applicants and runners throughout the registration process. The expo was very well organized. Race day was flawless.
Race Tips
Bring an extra layer to the start, even after you check your bag. It was cold in 2018. BSIM donates any clothing left along the side of the road to local organizations. In 2018, I ditched a pair of trousers that my wife had been asking me to get rid of for years. I showed my appreciation for her meeting me at the finish by announcing that she'd never have to see those trousers again!
Arrive on Friday or, if you can manage it, on Thursday. There are a lot of fun things to see and do in Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur. I suggest driving the course early on Friday or Saturday morning to get a glimpse of the hills you'll be cursing on Sunday.
5 /
5 Stars
Train for hills
By JB140.6 about 2016
Review
Epic scenery. Begins in Redwood Forest, continues along Pacific coast point to point.
Race Tips
Train for hills.
5 /
5 Stars
By JEM about 2016
Review
Spectacular Course with incredible views.
Race Tips
Initial 10 miles consists of flats and rolling hills. Mile 10-12 is a steady uphill climb (Hurricane Point) Final 4 miles - rolling hills.
5 /
5 Stars
By Anonymous about 2016
Review
Beautiful course. Friendly supportive volunteers. Well organized. Wonderful events.
5 /
5 Stars
By Chuck about 2016
Review
Absolutely the best views of any marathon, hands down. Starting off and passing through the narrow tree lined road early in the morning then working your way to incredible ocean views of the Pacific Coast, Bixby Bridge, and then on into Carmel, this marathon has it all. Gorgeous!
Race Tips
Difficult with all the hills, and oh yes- Hurricane Point at mile 10 is two miles up, up, up. But with Taiko drum beats to get you started up the hill and music from a baby grand (yes, it is actually there on the side of the road perched high above the Pacific Ocean) to welcome you to the top, you'll make it.
If you are traveling, get there on Friday and spend all of Saturday in incredible Monterey. But don't overdo it because the buses to the start are leaving earrrrllyyyyy (yes, like in 3:00 am) to get to the start. Take something warm to wear while waiting to start your journey and . . . enjoy.
5 /
5 Stars
By Erika Hamel about 2016
Review
Challenging yet breathtaking course, with great crowd and course support!
Race Tips
This race is more for the experience than for time. Take time to let the scenery sink in, the views are amazing! The course is very hilly but with training you can be sure to finish within the 6 hour strict cut off time.
5 /
5 Stars
By Anonymous about 2016
5 /
5 Stars
By AMB about 2016
Review
This is a must bucket-list marathon. If the views don't blow you away, the headwinds (literally) will. Point-to-point marathon that is very challenging. In addition to fighting head-winds, there is the 2-mile climb up Deja-Vu to Hurricane Point that will test you. Then you run down to the bridge with the famous grand piano playing. Views of the ocean are spectacular.
Race Tips
Make sure you can deal with hills. This is not a first-time marathon - experienced marathoners only. Regardless, definitely worth it, if you can make it through the lottery.
You'll need to get up around 2 AM to catch the bus ride to start line. Once you get there, you will wait for a couple of hours in very cold conditions - make sure you bring a jacket to keep warm, prior to the start.
5 /
5 Stars
By SW about 2016
Review
Race Tips
The course is VERY hilly; expect some serious climbs towards the end of the race; expect strong (head-)winds; very scenic course.
Gorgeous but challenging course. You will never run a course like this. Ocean to your left, hills and redwoods to your right. Four years later, I'm still talking about it.
Race Tips
Hills for breakfast! this has rolling hills and a section of camber in the road at the last four miles. It's tough but worth it. Don't run it for a PR, run it for the experience.
Big Sur team has thought of everything on the website. I would go there.
5 /
5 Stars
By WCA about 2012
Review
I first ran Big Sur in 2010; 6 days after running the Boston Marathon. I was obviously tired from Boston, but I was BLOWN away by the beauty of this course. I could not stop smiling. It was amazing. The pre and post race festivities were very well done. Loved the expo as well as the post race party for B2BS runners. Ran it again in 2011. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Race Tips
Train for those hills. LOTS of hills; especially near the end. Hurricane Point is long (2 miles up and 2 miles down), but you also have to be prepared for the hills in the Carmel Highlands near the end of the race when you are very, very tired. Also - ENJOY the VIEW!!!!!
Loved Hofsas House hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea . Small little motel within walking distance to countless shops and restaurants. Forge in the Forest, Casanova, Katy's - so many incredible places to eat. You can walk down Ocean Ave to Carmel Beach or explore 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. Make a vacation of it!
5 /
5 Stars
By JV about 1990
Review
1st the negative a very early bus ride to the start the positives everything from the unmatched scenery to the great bands and incredible volunteers and oh yeah and this year Sierra Nevada beer. The one Marathon you should not miss.
