Big Sur International Marathon
Big Sur International Marathon
The Big Sur International Marathon 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 2026 is an AbbottWMM Marathon Tours & Travel World Age Group Qualifying Race.
Meals Included
Pre-race pasta dinner
Guide
Support from Marathon Tours & Travel team
Transfers
Race day transfers included to and from the race
Trip Extension
Additional nights available upon request
Accommodation
3 or 4 nights stay in an excellent 4* hotel
Entry
Guaranteed Big Sur International Marathon 2027 entry available
Celebration Party
Access to VIP Celebration Tent
Excursions
17-Mile Drive Tour & Course Tour
Medal Bling
Ceramic Finisher Medal
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Thursday 22 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 23 April
Three-Night Package Arrivals
Those on the four-night package will enjoy a five-hour bus tour and take in the beautiful scenery that makes the little part of the world so famous. You will see Pebble Beach, experience the 17-Mile Drive, Monterey and Carmel. We will stop for a short wine tasting in Carmel by the Sea before enjoying lunch on your own in this quaint and charming town. We recommend you visit the Health & Fitness Expo to pick-up your bib today. Tonight we will gather for a Welcome Reception where you can meet your running peers!
Saturday 24 April
The morning will kick-off with an easy training run to loosen your legs. Following a leisure breakfast (on your own), plan to join the guided tour of the marathon course. You must register in advance for this optional course tour, which we highly recommend. It is a great way to mentally prepare for the course, as well as for you to enjoy the scenery in comfort. Spectators are also invited to join! The rest of the afternoon is free for you to rest, relax, shop, and enjoy. We will reconvene for our pre-race dinner and will be sure there is ample pasta! Be sure to stop by the Health & Fitness Expo to pick-up your bib today if you haven’t already.
Sunday 25 April
Race Day!
Buses are organised by the Big Sur International Marathon and will depart very early this morning. More details will be shared as we get closer. Following your race, there will be an exclusive VIP Tent for all Marathon Tours guests at the finish to celebrate your achievement! Be sure you come by for refreshments, beer and camaraderie.
Monday 26 April
Departure Day
Departure day or your free time to spend in the Monterey Bay area. It is a beautiful place to extend your stay and explore. We are happy to make 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 2027 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 Package | Four-Night Package: April 22 – 26, 2027
Features:
- Four nights’ accommodations at the Portola Hotel & Spa
- Standard Rooms with all Taxes Included
- 17-Mile Drive Tour
- Shake-Out Run
- Welcome Reception
- Pre-race Pasta Dinner
- Private 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 race entry is additional (limit of two entries per room).
Big Sur Marathon Package | Three-Night Package: April 23 – 26, 2027
Features:
- Three nights’ accommodations at the Portola Hotel & Spa
- Standard Rooms with all Taxes Included
- Shake-Out Run
- Welcome Reception
- Pre-Race Pasta Dinner
- Private 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).
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Your guaranteed entry with Marathon Tours & Travel is non-refundable and non-transferrable. This applies to all confirmed guests on our package with a guaranteed entry. Please be aware of this so you do not also enter the BSIM drawing.
Not Included in the Four-Night or Three-Night Package Rates:
- Race Entry Fee
- Optional Course Tour
- Gratuities and tips
- Breakfast and any other Meals (unless listed on itinerary)
- Incidentals
- Travel Insurance
- Flight to/from Monterrey
- Airport transfers
IMPORTANT NOTE: Marathon Tours & Travel’s policy is that anyone staying in our room block must be part of our package. If you plan to bring a spouse or guest, they must purchase our package. For example, if there are two of you, the rate would be the double occupancy rate (per person). If you purchase a single occupancy rate package, then only you are allowed in your room. To attend any of our activities, you must be part of our package.
A longer stay?
Contact us for a quote.
Rates (all prices per person and in GBP)
Big Sur International Marathon Package RatesRates (all prices are per person in UK pounds sterling) Double Occupancy Single Occupancy 3 nights from Friday 23 April 2027 £ 1,159 £ 1,885 4 nights from Thursday 22 April 2027 £ 1,575 £ 2,549 Optional ExtrasMarathon Entry £ 375 B2B Entry £ 540 Course Tour £ 65
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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 2027 with Marathon Tours & Travel
Race Date: Sunday 25 April 2027
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: (Rates coming soon for 2027)
- Boston to Big Sur (B2B)*:(Rates coming soon for 2027)*Your Boston to Big Sur Entry only includes the Big Sur Marathon entry. You must secure your own Boston Marathon® entry!
Course: The Big Sur International Marathon 2027 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 breath-taking 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 2027 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 2027 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. Make sure that you are insured for existing medical conditions, any activities you plan to do and any equipment that you plan to take. Travel insurance covers you if anything doesn’t go to plan before you travel as well, so we recommend sorting it at the time of booking. For more information, click here.
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 2027, 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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FAQs
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What does the Big Sur Marathon medal look like?
The Big Sur Marathon medal changes annually but usually features imagery inspired by California’s dramatic coastline and the race’s iconic scenery.
What is the Big Sur Marathon route?
The Big Sur Marathon runs along California’s Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel, offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean throughout the course.
Where is the Big Sur Marathon?
The Big Sur Marathon takes place on California’s central coast between Big Sur and Carmel.
What is the Big Sur Marathon cost?
Marathon entry through Marathon Tours & Travel costs £375.
Is the Big Sur Marathon hard?
Yes. The Big Sur Marathon is considered challenging due to its rolling terrain, significant climbs, coastal winds and elevation changes.
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Seven Continents Club ®
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The Seven Continents Club® (SCC) is our global running community that proudly supports runners in pursuing their running goals. As well as connecting runners from around the world, being a member of the club comes with exclusive benefits, including priority access to our most in‑demand events - helping you plan ahead and secure places in some of the world’s most sought‑after running adventures. Join SCC today!
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