Big Sur International Marathon

Big Sur International Marathon

Big Sur International Marathon

( 33 reviews )
96% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Carmel,
    California,
    United States
  • April
  • 10 miles, 26.2 miles/Marathon, Relay, Other
  • Road Race
  • Event Website

Shelby Duff

Michigan, United States
4 17
2022
"VIP is Worth It"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Shelby Duff's thoughts:

This has been a marathon 3 years in the making. I tried getting into the lottery for Big Sur 2019 and was unsuccessful, so for Big Sur 2020, I didn't even bother with the lottery and paid the extra cost to be VIP to ensure I would get in. I was super excited to run this race, and then the world shut down.

First the Big Sur Marathon was postponed to November 2020. Then it was officially canceled and participants were able to defer to either 2021 or 2022. I originally selected 2021, but this race was canceled as well, so I was pushed back to April of 2022. To be honest, a part of my just assumed the 2022 marathon would be cancelled as well so I didn't really train. So when April rolled around, it was like "Oh Crap we are actually doing this..."

Going into this race I had only one thought on my mind and it was "Do NOT get picked up by the bus" I have been dreaming of this race ever since I started running, and I was going to finish in the 6 hour time window. So, the night before the race, I wrote in Sharpie on my arm the times of each checkpoint I would need to beat to not get picked up.

For this race, the VIP option was worth it. Not only did we get an amazing Boco Backpack and a Rabbit Running Quarter Zip, but the pre-start VIP area was very clutch. We got our own charter bus to the start line, and breakfast and port-o-potties while we waited in a heated tent.

The only downside of this race, other than the hills, is the lack of spectator cheering throughout. However, the comradery built on the course because of it, if phenomenal. All of us "Middle-of-the-Pack" Runners who were undertrained supported each other all the way to the finish line. We cheering each other on, and helped pace each other to ensure no one would get picked up by the Bus. It was with my fellow runner's support that I finished in 5:33:16. I could barely walk the next 2 days; but it was well worth it.

I would not recommend this to someone who isn't well trained for a Marathon. But I would recommend this to someone ready for a challenge.

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