Breaking 2:55 at the Big Sur International Marathon
Even splits would be 4:09/km (6:40/mi). But Big Sur International Marathon isn't flat-even — the plan below redistributes the same finish time across the course the way experienced runners actually race it.
How to pace this course
0–16 km
Downhill through the redwoods — save the quads
4:04/km (6:33/mi)
16–20 km
Hurricane Point: 3 km up, usually into a headwind
4:29/km (7:13/mi)
20–35 km
Relentless rollers along the cliffs
4:07/km (6:37/mi)
35–42.2 km
More rollers to Carmel — nothing is free today
4:12/km (6:45/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 20:22 | 20:22 | 4:04/km |
| 10 km | 20:22 | 40:44 | 4:04/km |
| 15 km | 20:22 | 1:01:05 | 4:04/km |
| 20 km | 22:01 | 1:23:06 | 4:29/km |
| Half | 4:31 | 1:27:37 | 4:07/km |
| 25 km | 16:03 | 1:43:40 | 4:07/km |
| 30 km | 20:34 | 2:04:14 | 4:07/km |
| 35 km | 20:34 | 2:24:49 | 4:07/km |
| 40 km | 20:59 | 2:45:47 | 4:12/km |
| Finish | 9:13 | 2:55:00 | 4:12/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.