Big Sur International Marathon

For sheer natural beauty and dramatic coastal scenery, it’s pretty much impossible to top the Big Sur Marathon series of races, Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay in the fall, which saw more than 7,000 finishers last year.

The full name of the event is the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay, referring to both its sister event, the Big Sur International Marathon, and to its physical location, largely along the shores of Monterey and Pacific Grove. And though the invariably sold-out Half Marathon in November is the crowning event of the weekend, there are many other activities surrounding it.

The Big Sur International Marathon is a non-profit and the proceeds of our events are donated to local charities and grant groups. The proceeds from our Half Marathon are dedicated to our youth fitness program, JUST RUN®. JUST RUN is a free program designed to assist schools and other youth organizations by providing vital youth fitness programs. Geared towards promoting fitness and healthy lifestyles in grades 2-8, the program encourages physical activity and healthy eating habits as well as promoting good citizenship and family involvement.