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Big Sur International Marathon facts for kids

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Big Sur International Marathon
Date Late April
Location Big Sur, California, United States
Event type Road
Distance Marathon, 21-mile, 11-mile, 12km, 5km, 3km
Established 1986
Participants 3,324 finishers (2022)
3,486 finishers (2019)

The Big Sur International Marathon is a super cool annual marathon race held in California, United States. It takes place along the beautiful Pacific coast. This marathon started in 1986 and usually has about 4,500 people running in it every year!

About the Big Sur Marathon

The Big Sur International Marathon is more than just a race; it's an amazing event that brings together runners from all over. It's known for its stunning views and challenging course.

What Races Can You Do?

Besides the main marathon, the event offers many other races. You can join a 21-mile (34 km) race, a relay race, or a shorter 5K run. There are also different walks you can take part in. If you're running the full marathon, you have 6 hours to finish the race.

The Amazing Race Route

The finish line for all the races is at the Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel, California. The main marathon starts south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Other races begin at different spots, like Andrew Molera State Park or Rocky Point Restaurant. The marathon route follows State Route 1, a famous highway. Runners even cross the amazing Bixby Creek Bridge about halfway through the race!

The course is famous for its tough hills, especially in the second half. One big challenge is Hurricane Point, a summit that's 560 feet high. Along the way, there are 11 aid stations where runners can get water and help.

Helping Others Through Running

Since the Big Sur Marathon first began, it has done a lot of good. Over $2 million has been given out to different charities. This means that by running in the marathon, participants also help support important causes.

A Short Break for Safety

The races in 2020 and 2021 had to be cancelled. This was because of the coronavirus pandemic. People who had signed up for the 2020 race got most of their money back. They also had a special chance to sign up early for the 2022 or 2023 races. The marathon is now back and running!

Who Has Won the Marathon?

Many amazing runners have won the Big Sur International Marathon over the years. Winners come from all over the world, showing how popular this race is. For example, runners from the United States, Kenya, and Switzerland have all taken first place. Some runners, like Adam Roach and Nuța Olaru, have won the marathon multiple times. It's a true test of endurance and skill!

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