Want to run a fast time with other serious runners? CIM is the perfect race. This is a net-downhill course with about 300ft drop (around 700ft climb total). Even though other reviews have warned me that the first 16 miles have many rolling hills, I honestly did not think they were noticeable. Just think of it this way - for every hill you climb, there are 2x downhills to make up time. My goal at the race is to run sub-3hr, which is the BQ for my age group.

I arrived Sacramento 2 days prior to the race and stayed with friends in a suburban neighborhood. On the trip there, it seemed like all the fast runners were on the same flight showing off their Boston gears. The expo was organized, picked up bib and walked around for a bit, lots of shopping opportunities there. Although there didn’t seem to be much swag/free samples.

Come race day morning, the weather was just perfect, about low 40s at start time. My friends dropped me off at one of the shuttle pickup stops in Downtown Sacramento (you must ride the shuttle to start line per protocol). Took me 15 minutes to find the right bus, however. There were buses for special programs by SRA that we weren’t allow to take. Once we got on the right bus, it’s a 30 min ride to Folsom, CA. Even though the driver was blasting feel-good music, the whole bus was filled with nervous energy and quietness, quite eerie. We arrived in Folsom about 1.5 hr prior to start line. YOU ARE ALLOWED to stay on the bus if you wish, so you don’t have to wait in the cold. I got off the bus around 45mins prior to start to stretch/warmup/use the bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, there were blocks and blocks of porta-potties, I have never seen anything like this. Minutes before the start time, you will find some male runners hop over the fence to relieve themselves then hop back on, quite embarrassing to see but you gotta do what you gotta do *shrug* It’s been almost a year since the race, I can’t give precise picture of the course but I will try my best.

You run on a local highway through a few small towns with some gentle rolling hills. Many locals came out to cheer us, it was quite amazing to see. My goal pace was avg 6:51/mi, I aimed to run conservatively in the start, mostly in the 6:55-58/mi range. Most runners will go fast from the get go to “bank time”, do not go with them, stick to your plan and run your own race. I crossed 13.1 mark at around 1:31, so I needed to pick up the pace to meet my goal. Aid/water station every 2 miles or so, and they provide food/gel at every other station. I brought my own gels but ended up grabbing one from the race in late race for extra calories. Make sure you practice with same brand of drinks and gels during your training, they post what the serve on the website.

From mile 16 on this is where the elevation flattened out. There was a small ramp onto a bridge (maybe mile 20??), otherwise the rest was just flat with few 90 degree turns. You will also see a sea of early fast runners hitting the wall at this point. (My rank went from 1609th at 5k mark to 1050th at finish. I’ll say it again - don’t get too excited at the start by other runners and go out too fast). The last 4 miles were in Downtown Sacramento, straight shot to the capital building. Men and women have separate finish lines so do make sure you take the correct turn. I crossed the finish line at 2:59:43, met my goal to run a sub-3 marathon. I found my spouse in the crowd, we hugged, I cried. Although this time likely won’t get me into the Boston Marathon, I would go back to CIM and try again.

Other runners on IG mentioned the weather got warm in the late AM, so do plan to bring extra clothing with you as needed as start time temperature is cool. It also rained lightly in the early miles.

Of the 3 marathons I’ve run over the years, CIM hands down was the best.

Strava activity: https://www.strava.com/activities/2920356602