Adding the Big Sur Marathon to your marathon list is definitely worth it! Imagine the salted-sea air gently hitting your nostrils while making that head-nod shake not quite believing the incredibly beautiful panoramic view of the majestic Pacific Ocean on your left.
You are running along Scenic Highway One from Big Sur to Carmel along America’s first nationally developed Scenic Highway.
And, if you are registered for the 2011 race taking place May 1, you’ll easily keep in mind one of the Big Sur Marathon’s themes to “reduce, re-use and recycle.”
A Great Destination Marathon
The Big Sur International Marathon has been designated by Runner’s World magazine as the third top long-distance running event just behind the Boston and New York marathons.
Many experts have dubbed it the most scenic and best destination marathon since its first running in 1986.
This year the marathon organizers are making an all-out effort go “green.” Since the running course travels near the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, which is an extremely sensitive ecological habitat, all runners will be supplied with compostable drinking containers.
Both Gatorade and water are available throughout the course helping enhance the sustainability quotient for this great road running event.
All runners are required to dispose of any “energy” products in either a “sticky pocket” or trash receptacles at each aid station. Additional efforts to reduce paper use include installation of a bank of computers at both the starting line to look up bib numbers and at the finish line to check individual race results.
The Scenic Course
The Big Sur Marathon course has the designation as the largest rural marathon on the planet.
The point-to-point course is considered moderately difficult featuring stretches of rolling hills and roadways winding through giant redwoods while traveling past working ranches and offering those incredibly stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean.
Because Highway One is the main transportation artery in the area, race organizers can acquire a permit requiring all participants to complete the race in six hours or less.
That window of six hours starts when the last runner crosses the timing mat at the beginning of the race.
Race Preparation
Your specific Big Sur Marathon Training approach will have a big part in your success. Every marathon is different and asks for a certain preparation.
Are you still searching for a marathon training plan that fits your needs? My 100 Day Marathon Plan review tells you all about Marius Bakken’s revolutionary method to train for a marathon. Make sure to read it!
Registration Online
The 2011 Big Sur International Marathon registration is closed as of this writing. The 2011 race is scheduled for May 1, 2011.
Anyone interested in the 2012 race should note it will be held the last Sunday in April or April 29, 2012. Registration can be completed online once the race organizers have completed all necessary website activity for this year’s event.
This is such a popular event that anyone looking to participate should check on the website soon after the 2011 event is staged May 1.
You must get to this incredible event since Bart Yasso, of Runners World, emphatically states participating in the race should be a “must do in your lifetime.” In fact, many runners are definitely putting the running of the Big Sur International Marathon on their personal bucket lists.
Nowhere in the world will you, as a runner, get to see such incredible Pacific Ocean views on your left while taking in the majestic splendor of the redwood-drenched coastal mountains to your right – doing exactly what you like to do – running the road. Good luck!
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