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☰
Big Sur International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Big Sur International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.9 
Organization 4.8 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 212 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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N. T. from Indiana
(5/1/2007)
 "A must-do!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The most beautiful, most challenging course out there. The hills are mountains... 26.2 miles on the ragged edge of the west coast - fabulous! Not for the wimpy! Just be careful not to trip over your own feet while ogling the beauty of the scenery. The course was extremely well manned; this race is well directed. I couldn't ask for a better experience. The Hostelling International youth hostel in Monterey was also a great experience! | |
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J. Y. from New York
(5/1/2007)
 "A Good Challenge" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 There aren't a lot of people so it's not that congested and it isn't a big mass of people at the beginning. I ran this race because I wanted a challenge. I'm not the fastest runner (4:15 finish for this race) but I liked the idea of a race that isn't for everyone. The steep hills, the non-stop hills, the angle of the highway and the half-mile climb starting after you cross the 25-mile marker are all big challenges. The scenery is nice in the beginning but after awhile, I was bored. The race is on the highway for a good portion, so there aren't many spectators. They put drums, musical bands and other things on the course to divert your attention for a few seconds but they're not that important. The post-race area is a bit confusing, but because of the small field, everything was easy to find after some questioning. Lots of food for everyone and the weather was perfect - cloudy, cool and a light wind (not 50 mph winds). | |
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K. H. from Denver, CO
(4/30/2007)
 "Wow!" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran this as my first marathon because it happened to fall on my 40th birthday and the ad I saw in Runner's World showed the beautiful scenery. I knew it would be a challenging course, and it was. But all the better feeling of accomplishment. I'm so proud to say I've run Big Sur! I don't have anything to compare this to, but I believe those who have commented this is the most beautiful marathon. The course is spectacular. The finishing shirt and medal are very nice, and the race organization seemed pretty efficient. Just the fact that they can get all of us bussed to the start so early in the morning was impressive! | |
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J. K. from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(12/4/2006)
"Hard course but worth it" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Very hilly course, and the wind can easily make it much harder since it's right on the Pacific Coast. It also means a cold, damp start, but the scenery is well worth it! The organizational committee does a five-star job, and the fans - as you run into Carmel Highlands towards the finish - are second to none. | |
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H. O. from Beaverton, Oregon
(10/26/2006)
"You have to do this race!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a brutal, beautiful, quad-busting course that I will continue to do until the day I can no longer make the time cutoff - what a thrill! Very well organized with something for everyone - full marathon, 21-mile run/walk, marathon relay, and a variety of shorter races for the whole family. Only downside to that is that the course does get crowded in places since you are confined to one side of the highway. However, the magnificient views, the great volunteers and music along the course, the hot coffee, danish, and rock 'n' roll at the start, the fresh fruit and hot soup at the finish and the knowledge that you have accomplished something very special are the reasons to do this race. Don't expect to PR - just enjoy the moment. There is no way you can do enough hill training to be ready for this course. Also, the slant on the curves is hard on the ankles and knees. Take a small camera and enjoy reliving the race with your envious friends. | |
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William Tichenor from Dallas, Texas
(5/15/2006)
"Amazing! Brutal, but still..." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Big Sur International Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Wow! A brutal course. I'd forgotten that the hills really never stop. 25 to 25.5 is even a humdinger! Still an incredible experience. No P.R.'s here though. | |
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E. H. from Tacoma, Washington
(5/14/2006)
 "Best Organized, Most Scenic" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This marathon is far and above the most scenic and the best organized marathon of the 62 I have ran to date. The views of the Pacific were worth the wait of low lying clouds and intermittant fog the first 7 miles that prevented us from seeing the light house this year. In my view, a few positive contributing factors to the marathon, in addition to the scenery: 1. Free coffee (decaf too) with creamer sugar, etc. and gatorade awaiting runners at the start 2. A unique ceramic style finishers award on a leather lace, very original and unlike typical 'medals' 3. Significant points along the route prominently marked and named by previous marathon participants. 4. Easily observed and prominent markers at each mile, with a race volunteer calling out your overall time ran and projected finishing time (which came in handy, esp since I didnt have my watch on!) 5. Free beer at the finish along with hot soup and a buffet of replenishing substanance The only negatives of the event from my perspective were: 1. Way too many participants on route in the accompanying relays and 21 mile walk events..absolutely no fudge factor, since the South Bound side of route 1 was closed for official vehicle traffic. A couple of times I nearly collided with 21 mile participants, and interfered with relay runners 2. The baggage truck was understaffed/overwhelmed and a race director was forced to inform participants to leave their bags on the ground for recovery after the start. (I managed to get mine on the truck, but I imagine those who had to leave theirs on the ground were nervous) | |
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Madhav Ranganathan from Greenbelt, Maryland
(5/10/2006)
"The most beautiful race I have ever done" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Amazing experience - The dramatic changing scenery, the lovely music and the demanding hills, wind and finally the scorching sun - all made it the best race I ever ran. I have never seen so many people run a race with cameras. Two of many, many, many great moments: - Harpsichord music coming through the mist in the redwood forest, with streams and falls in the background; - Tuxedo-clad pianist on Bixby Bridge. After six prior marathons, I was truly in seventh heaven!! | |
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J. R. from Atlanta, Ga.
(5/4/2006)
"The hills don't stop until it is over!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great scenery, fantastic people, very well organized marathon. This was my first marathon and it was tough. I made it to mile 17 without stopping. I thought I had it made after Hurricane Point but the hills never stopped. The elevation chart on the website is a bit misleading. They leave out the rolling hills. The rolling hills are brutal and never stop. This was my first marathon but it won't be my last. However, it will be a long time before I do this one again. Monterey is awesome and so are the people! Still a great experience! | |
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Donald Kienz from Pennsylvania
(5/4/2006)
"Anyone Know a Better One?" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Big Sur International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My 25th different marathon. The scenery was better than at the other 24 combined. Logistics read like there could be problems, but there were none at all. And before and after the marathon there is an unlimited selection of things to do. Seriously: if you've run this and know a better one, I would like to know, because I can't imagine it. Heartiest thanks to all who make it possible. |
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