Highway 1 hills, checkpoints and a point-to-point morning
The official marathon instructions make elapsed time a real planning constraint. The organizer describes a six-hour limit and lists intermediate checkpoint deadlines. Include aid stops in your projection and use the published checkpoint clocks rather than assuming a later wave gives you extra time. Athletes missing the intermediate limits are transported to the finish.
The Highway 1 route combines substantial climbing with sustained descending. Rehearse an effort you can hold over both, and build downhill tolerance gradually within your existing training. A net drop of 346 feet hides the work of the intervening hills. Protect your legs early instead of trying to recover every uphill second on the next descent.
The published aid plan includes water and PH 1000, with PF 30 gels at miles 12.2 and 19.0. Those two gel locations are not a complete personal fueling schedule. Test the products beforehand or plan a permitted alternative that you can carry, and check the final aid chart before deciding quantities.
The 6:45 start and distant finish make the organizer’s bus instructions part of race preparation. Confirm your assigned transport, pickup location and departure time before choosing accommodation or breakfast timing. Rehearse the early routine; do not assume a hotel near the Carmel finish is also near the start.
Bixby Bridge appears near halfway, before a substantial amount of racing remains. Use it as a reminder to reassess effort and fueling rather than as the point to begin a long push for the finish. The later checkpoints still govern whether you may continue, even if your average moving pace looks acceptable.
Confirmed race date
Big Sur International Marathon: April 25, 2027. Verified on October 14, 2026 against the official event information.
Current race profile
The organizer remains authoritative if the course, distance program, venue, registration or schedule changes. Historical conditions are not a forecast; use current organizer advisories and the race-week forecast.
Training calendar anchors
These dates are calendar arithmetic, not proof that a plan length is appropriate.