Big Sur International Marathon makes its return Sunday
Three years is a long time to wait at the starting line. But the Big Sur International Marathon is raring to go.
Canceled in both 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19 safety concerns, the world-renowned race returns this weekend, where a sold out slate of about 9,800 entrants will take part.
“It feels good to be back,” said Doug Thurston, race director and executive director of the Big Sur Marathon Foundation, which organizes both the Big Sur International Marathon and Monterey Bay Half-Marathon each year. “Runners have responded well, and we’re ready for a great race.”
Speaking to an unabated enthusiasm for the event, Thurston explained that racing slots filled as quickly – if not quicker – than they “ever had before.” The Big Sur International Marathon has sold out in each of the past 10 years it has been held. To the excitement of Thurston, the Big Sur Marathon Foundation, and a more than 100-person organizing committee that manages the event year-round, 2022 proved to be no different.
“It’s a great testament to our volunteers and the community,” said Thurston. “The scenery can’t be beat, but good scenery doesn’t mean a great race. Great volunteers and community support for more than 30 years speaks volumes to how important the race is. (And) they’re anxious to provide a world-class experience to people this weekend.”
The much-anticipated affair will kick off early Sunday morning, with marathoners taking their mark at Big Sur Station at 6:35 a.m. Beyond the 26-mile, 365-yard scenic stretch along Highway 1, runners are set to take part in a host of other races happening alongside the big distance, including a 21-miler, 11-miler, 12K and 5K. All are set to commence before 8 a.m. Sunday.
Though years have passed since runners were last invited to skirt the Big Sur coastline, Thurston said the course itself is reminiscent of previous races, barring a few recent upgrades meant to render routes safer. Those include a freshly paved roadway and a revamped starting line process, Thurston said.
Yet, what may bring an added element of notoriety to this year’s slate of races – apart from the anticipation of their return – is an enhanced backdrop, Thurston continued, even if topping the peak of picturesque is hard to imagine.
“I think these mid-spring rains that we had last weekend and are anticipating over the next couple of days will make this one of the most green and most spectacular races for runners to enjoy,” he explained. “There’s going to be some special color along hills with wildflowers and things. … It’s going to be beautiful.”
Entrants set to relish in the panoramic trek include five-time Big Sur International Marathon men’s champion Adam Roach, defending 2019 men’s champion Jordan Tropf and elite runner Ben Bruce. Between the three, Thurston is anticipating an “interesting” race, particularly among Tropf and Bruce, who both just competed in the Boston Marathon Monday.
The Big Sur International Marathon includes a special category for those runners determined enough to take on both events: Boston 2 Big Sur. Attracting 400 of the world’s fittest athletes, the challenge combines Boston and Big Sur chip times and awards participants for their pace across the two marathons. This year, the races are less than six days apart. That’s more than 52 miles of running in the span of a week.
Besides those poised to push racing limits, Thurston said he’s particularly looking forward to a group of runners he dubs the “grizzled veterans,” who have participated in every Big Sur International Marathon since it started in 1986.
Still, Thurston said well over a majority – more than 80% – of entrants in the races each year are first and only timers to the event.
“For thousands and thousands of runners, this is their one opportunity to experience something like this,” he said.
That desire to check off the Big Sur International Marathon on a larger running bucket list, Thurston added, is a factor in why 30% of runners previously entered in the canceled 2020 event returned this year to finally satisfy their ambition. These already listed entrants had priority coming into the 2022 race. Thurston is glad to see some retain their racing plans two years later.
“People had invested time and energy in preparing for the race,” he said. “Nobody knew in the summer of 2019 when folks registered that there would be a pandemic in late winter of 2020. …But it was canceled five to six weeks before they could participate. Now they can look forward to doing it again.”
For non-runners looking to watch, the only spectating opportunity will be at the finish line at Rio Road in Carmel. There will be no points to watch at the start or along the course. Non-official bicycles are likewise not allowed Sunday. While the marathon goes on – which is bound to a six-hour course limit – Highway 1 will be closed to traffic. It will reopen at 1 p.m. Sunday.
While proof of vaccination or recent negative test will not be required to attend the event per current county guidelines, organizers are strongly encouraging all entrants and attendees to arrive fully vaccinated or be tested for COVID within 48 hours of their visit if unvaccinated. Thurston also noted that masks will be worn on buses carting runners to the starting line. Those taking part in Friday and Saturday’s pre-race Health and Fitness Expo at the Monterey Conference Center will also be asked to wear masks, Thurston said.
More information about this weekend’s Big Sur International Marathon can be found at https://www.bigsurmarathon.org/.
posted Thursday April 21st
by Tess Kenny