Big Sur International Marathon
Big Sur International Marathon 2025
The Big Sur International Marathon 2025 is a boutique-style marathon and is considered a bucket-list race for running enthusiasts around the world. Established in 1986, it attracts around 4,500 runners each year and has earned many accolades including “Best Destination Marathon in North America” by the Ultimate Guide to Marathons.
The challenging course takes place on Highway One, starting in Big Sur and ending in Carmel. It offers unparalleled scenery as runners wind through majestic redwoods and experience spectacular coastal views along the Pacific Ocean. In addition to the exciting visual elements, runners are treated to musical interludes by Taiko drummers, Samba dancers and classical music from a grand pianist midway along the course.
When you purchase a Marathon Tours & Travel’s package you are eligible to purchase a guaranteed entry! Join us in one of the most beautiful corners of the USA!
The Big Sur Marathon 2025 is an AbbottWMM Marathon Tours & Travel World Age Group Qualifying Race.
Meals Included
Welcome reception & pre-race pasta dinner
Guide
Support from Marathon Tours & Travel team
Transfers
Race day transfers included to and from the race
Trip Extension
Trip extension available upon request
Accommodation
Excellent 4* hotel
Entry
Guaranteed Big Sur International Marathon 2025 entry available
Celebration Party
Access to VIP Celebration Tent
Excursions
17 mile drive sightseeing tour included. Optional marathon course tour available.
Coopah
2 week free trial for Coopah training plans
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Thursday 24 April
Four-Night Package Arrivals
Arrive in Monterey and check in to the Portola Hotel & Spa. The afternoon is free for you to explore and enjoy this charming town at your leisure.
Friday 25 April
Three-Night Package Arrivals
For those on the four-night package, enjoy a five-hour bus tour and take in the stunning scenery that makes this part of the world so famous. You’ll visit Pebble Beach, experience the 17-Mile Drive, and explore Monterey and Carmel. We will stop for a brief wine tasting in Carmel-by-the-Sea before you enjoy lunch on your own in this quaint and charming town. We recommend visiting the Health & Fitness Expo today to pick up your race bib. This evening, we will gather for a Welcome Reception where you can meet your fellow runners!
Saturday 26 April
The morning kicks off with an easy training run to loosen your legs. After a leisurely breakfast (on your own), we encourage you to join the guided tour of the marathon course. Advance registration is required for this optional course tour and we highly recommend it. It’s a great way to mentally prepare for the race while enjoying the scenery in comfort – spectators are also welcome! The remainder of the afternoon is yours to rest, relax, shop, and enjoy. We will reconvene for our pre-race dinner, ensuring there is plenty of pasta! If you haven’t already collected your bib, be sure to visit the Health & Fitness Expo today.
Sunday 27 April
Race Day!
Buses are organised by the Big Sur International Marathon 2025 and will depart very early this morning – more details will be provided as the date approaches. After the race, there will be an exclusive VIP Tent for all Marathon Tours & Travel runners and compatriots at the finish line to celebrate your achievement! Be sure to stop by for refreshments including beer!
Monday 28 April
Departure Day
Today is either your departure day or the opportunity to have some free time to spend in the Monterey Bay area. It’s a beautiful place to extend your stay and explore. We are happy to provide recommendations, such as a guided walking tour in Carmel, lunch and wine at the farm-to-table Cima Collina Ranch & Vineyard, or a relaxing retreat at Refuge Spa in Carmel.
(Itinerary subject to change)
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Packages & Rates
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Guaranteed Big Sur International Marathon 2025 Entry
We are pleased to offer you guaranteed entry. You can buy entry from Marathon Tours & Travel if you also buy the accommodation package from us.
Big Sur Marathon 2025 Package | Three-Night Package: April 25 – 28 2025
Features:
- Three nights’ accommodations at the Portola Hotel & Spa
- Standard rooms with all taxes included
- Shakeout run
- Welcome Reception
- Pre-Race Pasta Dinner
- Bus transfer to the marathon start
- Shuttle bus from the Finish back to downtown Monterey
- Exclusive Access to VIP Tent at the Finish
- On-site Marathon Tours & Travel Staff
- Guaranteed entry additional (limit of two entries per room).
Big Sur Marathon 2025 Package | Four-Night Package: April 24 – 28 2025
- 4 nights’ accommodation at the Portola Hotel & Spa
- Hotel taxes
- 17-mile drive tour
- Group training run
- Welcome reception
- Pre-race pasta dinner
- Bus transfer to the marathon start
- Shuttle bus from the finish, back to downtown Monterey
- Exclusive Marathon Tours & travel VIP tent at the finish
- Guidance and support from the Marathon Tours & Travel team
- 2-week free trial of Coopah bespoke training plans. Details on how to claim will be sent in your booking confirmation email
Optional Extra:
- Big Sur International Marathon 2025 guaranteed entry at £349
- Marathon Course Tour at £49
Boston 2 Big Sur
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Your B2B entry does NOT include an entry to the 2025 Boston Marathon. Each person is responsible for securing their own Boston entry. Details on the B2B entry can be found here. Please note that we have a very limited number of B2B entries.
A longer stay?
Contact us for a quote.
Big Sur International MarathonRates (all prices are per person in UK pounds sterling) Double Occupancy Single Occupancy 3 nights from Friday 25 April 2025 £1,089 £1,789 4 nights from Thursday 24 April 2025 £1,439 £2,369 Optional ExtrasMarathon Entry £349 B2B Entry £509 Course Tour £49
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Hotels
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Portola Hotel & Spa
Adjoined to the Monterey Conference Center where the BSIM EXPO takes place, this refined spa hotel is within steps of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and a five-minute walk to Fisherman’s Wharf, as well as being 1.5 miles to Cannery Row.
The nautical-themed rooms and suites have marble bathrooms, Wi-Fi (fee required), 42-inch flat-screen TVs and Keurig coffeemakers. Most rooms have balconies, some with ocean views. Other amenities include a fitness room, a spa (fee required), a craft brewery and a restaurant serving organic food.
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Event Information
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The Big Sur International Marathon 2025 with Marathon Tours & Travel
Race Date: Sunday 27 April 2025
Start Time: 06:45AM
Entry: Registered runners on our package will receive a special entry link via email. The entry fees are as follows (price per entry):
- Marathon: £330
Course: The Big Sur International Marathon 2025 is a point-to-point, moderately difficult course, with live entertainment along the route. As the largest rural marathon in the world, the course winds through majestic redwoods, past scenic ranches and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The course is USATF certified and a Boston Marathon qualifier. The marathon has a strict six-hour time limit for all participants. A course map with elevation chart is available here.
Temperature: Average temperatures range between 10°C and 16°C.
Eligibility: Limited to 4,500 qualified entrants (must be 16 years or older, in good health, and well-trained). The Big Sur International Marathon 2025 is a challenging course with a cut-off time of 13:00PM, approximately six hours from when the last starter crosses the start mat in Big Sur.
Awards: Every runner receives a technical fabric shirt in gender-specific sizing, featuring an original design. Only participants who complete the race within the six-hour time limit (chip time) will receive a Big Sur International Marathon 2025 finisher’s medallion, an online finisher’s certificate and be listed in the virtual official results book.
Difficulty: Difficult.
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Registration & Booking
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Conditions of Sale
Please note we cannot sell race entry without accommodation package. Race entry is not refundable.
If you wish to make any changes to your reservations, administration and/or service fees might apply. For our general T&C’s please see here.
How to Book
To make your booking, click on the book now button, ensuring that you select the correct number of rooms and types for all members in your party plus all the required extras. When you book, we will require a deposit to confirm your place.
Please read all the important information. If you have any questions please contact us.
Payments
When you confirm your booking, we will take a deposit payment. Subsequent payments are taken automatically.
Travel advice
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for USA’s current entry restrictions and requirements.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend travellers to take out comprehensive travel insurance with sufficient healthcare cover, including cover for existing medical conditions and any activities you plan to do.
If you are unsure where to start, we’ve teamed up with Bikmo. Bikmo offer tailored insurance packages that cater for both competitive and non-competitive trips, covering you for many of our running events. If you wish to book insurance through Bikmo, you can benefit from an exclusive 5% discount*, simply use the code DESTINATIONSPORT5 at their checkout. More information can be found here.
*7 days European travel cover from £16.85. Bikmo non-competitive travel insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA number 300317 Bikmo competitive travel insurance is arranged and administered directly by Jackson Lee Underwriting (JLU). This promotion is provided by Bikmo Ltd Glendale House Sandycroft Industrial Estate Flintshire CH5 2QP
Race Rules and Terms of Participation
Our itinerary and details regarding the race are based on current information available at the time this package was released for sale. Whilst we expect the details to remain correct, changes are possible and will be confirmed nearer to the trip after the race organisers have confirmed final instructions. All race rules and procedures need to be followed. Please find the event information here.
Starting Pens and Bib Numbers
Although we are licensed to sell official entries for the Big Sur Marathon 2025, we have no influence over the allocation of starting times and bib numbers.
Closer to the event we will send you a link which will allow you to complete the registration process for the event. Once you have finalised the registration process, the race organisers will allocate you a starting time and bib based on the information provided. Please read the race rules and terms for participation carefully, as you have to accept them to participate in the event.
Credit card
All hotels need a credit card imprint upon check in where a value is held and released when you check out. Any incidentals such as room service or chargeable extras to the room would be deducted.
Security Policy
Marathon Tours & Travel’s security policy requires that anyone staying in our room block must be registered as part of our package. If a registered client attempts to house a non-registered guest and/or invite them to attend any of our scheduled activities, the registered guest’s tour package will be forfeited and parties may be denied access to future tours. Please note that no exceptions will be made as this policy will be strictly enforced.
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Seven Continents Club ®
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The Seven Continents Club®️ (SCC) offers a unique opportunity for runners to run on all seven continents of the globe, as well as providing numerous benefits to its members. The club operates as a global frequent traveller club for runners, offering waitlist priority for high-demand events, early pre-registration periods for a number of races in popular destinations and tour package vouchers for money off international tour packages. What’s more, Seven Continents Club®️ rewards all its members for the extraordinary achievement of running marathons on each continent with their own special finishers medal and certificate of completion. Join the SCC today!
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