The Big Sur International Marathon is a point-to-point race on scenic Highway 1, from Big Sur to Carmel, held on the last Sunday of April. Towering redwoods, crashing waves and coastal mountains line the course, and a concert pianist plays a piano at Bixby Bridge, the halfway point. It is organized by the nonprofit Big Sur Marathon Foundation, and the marathon field is limited.
General marathon entry is a random drawing that stays open for two weeks. The guaranteed entry paths (VIP, charity partners, Race Benefactors, Marathon Tours & Travel) are first-come, first-served and fill quickly too. For official updates, head to the Big Sur International Marathon website.
Key dates
- Lottery WindowExpected Aug 2027
- Race dayApr 25, 2027
Windows are shown to the month until the organiser confirms them. Subscribers get the exact day, by email, on the morning it opens.
This year's lottery has closed. The next window is expected Aug 2027. Set up a BibsAlert now and we'll email you the moment the Big Sur Marathon lottery reopens, so next time you're first in instead of locked out.
How to enter the Big Sur Marathon
Big Sur offers one random drawing and several guaranteed, first-come, first-served entry paths. There are no refunds or transfers, so only enter if you plan to run the full marathon.
1. Random Drawing (Lottery)
The least expensive way in. You complete a full entry on Haku, the race's registration platform, and give your card details. There is no charge to enter: you are charged the entry fee only if you are selected, and you are entered automatically. Everyone is notified by email after the draw.
2. Big Sur VIP presented by HOKA
A premium guaranteed entry limited to 400 runners, opening on the same day as the drawing. It includes private transport to the start, a heated start tent and a finish-line tent.
3. Charity Partners
More than two dozen official charity partners offer guaranteed marathon entries to runners who meet their minimum fundraising goal. Each charity sets its own minimum.
4. Race Benefactors
A limited, first-come guaranteed entry at a higher fee that supports the Big Sur Marathon Foundation's community and youth running programs. Part of the fee is tax deductible.
5. Marathon Tours & Travel
The official tour partner sells a limited number of guaranteed entries bundled with hotel packages, first-come, first-served.
6. Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge
For official entrants of the Boston Marathon who want to run Big Sur six days later. Registration opens in the autumn, after Boston's qualifier entry period, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The course
A point-to-point course on Highway 1, the nation's first nationally designated Scenic Highway. It is moderately difficult, with rolling hills and frequent head winds.
- Start: Big Sur Station, Big Sur
- Finish: Highway 1 and Rio Road, Carmel
- Distance: 42.195 km (26.2 miles)
- Start Time: 6:45 AM
The course gains about 2,182 feet and drops about 2,528 feet, including the climb to Hurricane Point and the halfway crossing of Bixby Bridge. Runners pass redwoods, ranches and Pacific views, and a strawberry station waits a few miles from the finish. The time limit is a strict six hours (13:45 per mile), because the road reopens to traffic at 1 PM. The course is USATF and AIMS/World Athletics certified and a Boston qualifier.
Why run the Big Sur Marathon?
- The scenery: 26.2 miles along the Pacific coast on Highway 1, through redwoods, ranches and sea cliffs.
- Bixby Bridge: a pianist in a tuxedo plays a piano at the halfway point.
- A rural classic: the organizers call it the largest rural marathon in the world, with a limited marathon field.
Didn't get in?
If you weren't selected in the Big Sur Marathon lottery, you still have options:
- Charity entries: Many official charity partners offer guaranteed places in exchange for fundraising commitments. Check the official website for partner organizations.
- Guaranteed entry paths: Big Sur VIP, the official charity partners and Marathon Tours & Travel packages can still have marathon places after the draw, first-come, first-served.
- Boston 2 Big Sur: If you are an official Boston Marathon entrant, this challenge opens in the autumn and does not require the drawing.
- Run the 21-Miler: It covers the climb to Hurricane Point, Bixby Bridge and the strawberry station, with a longer time limit. Registration for the shorter distances opens after the draw, first-come, first-served, and fills quickly. You cannot upgrade into the marathon later.
- Try a similar race: Check the related races below for races with similar entry types, dates, or locations.
- Apply again next year: Set up a BibsAlert so you don't miss the next entry window.
Questions runners ask
How does the Big Sur lottery work?
You enter the random drawing on Haku, the race's registration platform, with your full card details. Entering is free. If you are selected, your card is charged the entry fee and you are entered automatically. Everyone is notified by email.
Can I skip the lottery?
Yes, through a guaranteed entry path: Big Sur VIP, an official charity partner, the Race Benefactor program, a Marathon Tours & Travel package, or the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge for Boston Marathon entrants. All are first-come, first-served, and the drawing remains the least expensive way in.
Can I transfer my entry or get a refund?
No. Big Sur has a strict no-refund, no-transfer policy. Registration Protection, a third-party program, can be added for a fee during registration and may refund your entry fee for a covered reason.
What is the time limit?
Six hours, a pace of 13:45 per mile, because Highway 1 reopens to traffic at 1 PM. Runners who fall behind are stopped and taken to the finish by bus. If you are unsure of that pace, the organizers suggest the 21-Miler instead.
Is the Big Sur course hard?
Yes. It has steep and rolling hills, including the climb to Hurricane Point, and frequent head winds. Many runners consider it 10 to 20 minutes slower than flatter, less windy races.
Looking ahead
The marathon drawing opens in August and stays open for two weeks, with winners notified in early September. The guaranteed entry paths open the same day and fill on a first-come basis. Set up a BibsAlert to get notified when the next drawing opens.