The Big Sur International Marathon is a point-to-point on Highway 1, from Big Sur to Carmel. The 2027 race is Sunday, April 25. The random drawing has already closed. Boston 2 Big Sur opens October 14, 2026. Status is in lottery races: when each draw opens and closes.
What runners like
The coast, the bridge, and a course that does not feel like a city marathon. Hurricane Point is the climb around the middle. Stopping for the Bixby Bridge photo is allowed, and it is a choice. The early miles drop. Treating that drop as free speed shows up on the climb and again in the last 10K. April is often cool, foggy, and windy. Cell service on the course is poor.
Where to stay
Monterey and Carmel are the bases. Carmel is closer to the finish. Both fill once an entry is confirmed. The start is a bus. There is no driving to the start line. More California races are on the California race calendar.
Food worth the stop
Eat the nice seafood dinner on Friday. Saturday is pasta or rice. This is not a city with a neighborhood to eat through at every mile.
For the person not racing
The road is the course. Official spectator points are limited, and pulling over on Highway 1 is how weekends go wrong. The finish in Carmel is the responsible place to wait.