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California > Big Sur Trail Marathon, Half Marathon &
5-Mile Run
Big Sur, CA
Date
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Event
Details
Though it may seem odd to say that the Big Sur Trail Marathon, Half
Marathon & 5-Mile race is run along a road
called Old Coast Road -- aren't trail races run on single- and
double-track trails through forests, you might ask -- runners note that
this road is actually an old dirt road, the first of its kind that
connected the towns of Monterey and Big Sur before the road now known
as Highway 1 was built. Like the road on which it is run, this race is
challenging and hilly, with long, steep climbs and descents as well as
spectacular scenery throughout the entire race.
And if you've ever been to or driven through Big Sur, you know how
impressive that scenery is -- breathtaking views from craggy bluffs
overlooking the Pacific Ocean, as well as trails that wind through
sun-dappled redwood and oak grove forests and across bridges
overlooking the rocks crashing against the shore. Runners see all of
this along the course starting from the race start line at Andrew
Molera State Park, which lies just off Highway 1 (Cabrillo Highway)
near the Big Sur River.
From there, the course begins a long, winding route northward along Old
Coast Road, climbing in elevation from about 200 feet above sea level
to just above 1,000 feet above sea level between mile markers 2 and 3.
Runners then get something of a reprieve from the steep climb with a
long, steady descent between miles 3 and 4, and then the really
challenging uphill starts just after the 5-mile marker, continuing all
the way to the half-way point, where runners will reach a peak just
above 1,200 feet above sea level. After that, the field turns around
and heads back down Old Coast Road along the course they've just run,
all the way back to the finish line at the park.
One of California's smaller running events, the race is limited to 300
entrants and usually sells out every year. Runners are encouraged to
carry either a water bottle or a hydration pack with them to ensure
they have plenty of water between aid stations and have a six-hour
time limit to complete the race, which begins at 9:00 AM.
Race
Weather & Climate
Perched along the Northern California coast, just south of Monterey and
about 150 miles south of San Francisco, the area known as Big Sur
enjoys generally mild to moderately cool weather conditions virtually
year-round, with much drier weather in the summer and early fall than
the rest of the year. In October, average monthly temperatures range
between 70°F and 51°F, while rainfall totals average
about 1.06 inches for the month.
Fees
N/A
Registration
Registration for the fall 2010 running of the Big Sur Trail
Marathon, Half Marathon & 5-miler will open later in the year. Please check back for updated information on how to sign up, or visit the race website shown below.
Website
www.envirosports.com
Half
Marathon Course Map
Share
Your Race Story
Ever run in Big Sur's annual Trail Marathon or Half Marathon?
Share your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Post your comments in Runner Reviews for the Big Sur Trail Half
Marathon
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