Big Sur International Marathon, live.

Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel

The Big Sur International Marathon follows Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel on Sunday 25 April 2027, crossing Bixby Bridge at halfway.

Run on the last Sunday of April since 1986, when 1,800 runners took part, the Big Sur International Marathon is organised by the Big Sur Marathon Foundation. Marathon entries for 2027 came through a random drawing, VIP places and charity partners, and the 12K and the 5K are already sold out.

The point to point course is moderately difficult, with rolling hills. It starts in Big Sur at 6:45 at 356 feet and runs north on Highway 1, the nation's first nationally designated Scenic Highway, through redwoods, past ranches and along the Pacific. The climb to Hurricane Point leads to Bixby Bridge at halfway, where a concert pianist in a tuxedo plays. There are 11 aid stations, the strawberry station is at mile 23.2, and the finish is at Highway 1 and Rio Road in Carmel.

The road reopens at 1 PM, so the marathon has a strict six hour limit, with cutoffs at mile 15.2 by 10:30 and mile 21.2 by 11:50. The 21-Miler starts at 6:30, skips the first five miles and allows 6 hours 30 minutes. The 11-Miler starts at Grimes Ranch at 7:00. The 12K and the 5K start at 7:35 near the finish, the 12K looping through Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. A four leg relay covers the full marathon.

The organiser warns of hills and a sometimes fierce headwind, and suggests the 21-Miler to anyone who may struggle to hold the 13:45 per mile pace. Highway 1 is the only access to this stretch of coast, so spectators wait at the finish in Carmel, and the 12K and 5K let family take part while they wait.

On Livebib you can follow a participant who chooses to share their own live position from the phone they carry. This is not the organiser's timing, and the official results come from the Big Sur Marathon Foundation.